2 Samuel 19 | New International Reader’s Version

New International Reader’s Version

1 Someone told Joab, ‘The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. He’s filled with sadness because his son has died.’ 2 The army had won a great battle that day. But their joy turned into sadness. That’s because someone had told the troops, ‘The king is filled with sorrow because his son is dead.’ 3 The men came quietly into the city that day. They were like fighting men who are ashamed because they’ve run away from a battle. 4 The king covered his face. He cried loudly, ‘My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!’ 5 Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to him, ‘Today you have made all your men feel ashamed. They have just saved your life. They have saved the lives of your sons and daughters. And they have saved the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you. You hate those who love you. The commanders and their troops don’t mean anything to you. You made that very clear today. I can see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out there and cheer up your men. If you don’t, you won’t have any of them left with you by sunset. That will be worse for you than all the troubles you have ever had in your whole life. That’s what I promise you in the LORD’s name.’ 8 So the king got up and took his seat in the entrance of the city gate. His men were told, ‘The king is sitting in the entrance of the gate.’ Then all of them came and stood in front of him. While all of that was going on, the Israelites had run back to their homes.

David returns to Jerusalem

9 People from all the tribes of Israel began to argue among themselves. They were saying, ‘The king saved us from the power of our enemies. He saved us from the power of the Philistines. But now he has left the country to escape from Absalom. 10 We anointed Absalom to rule over us. But he has died in battle. So why aren’t any of you talking about bringing the king back?’ 11 King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. David said, ‘Speak to the elders of Judah. Tell them I said, “News has reached me where I’m staying. People all over Israel are talking about bringing me back to my palace. Why should you be the last to do something about it? 12 You are my relatives. You are my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring me back?” 13 Say to Amasa, “Aren’t you my own flesh and blood? You will be the commander of my army for life in place of Joab. If that isn’t true, may God punish me greatly.” ’ 14 So the hearts of all the men of Judah were turned towards David. All of them had the same purpose in mind. They sent a message to the king. They said, ‘We want you to come back. We want all your men to come back too.’ 15 Then the king returned. He went as far as the River Jordan. The men of Judah had come to Gilgal to welcome the king back. They had come to bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei, the son of Gera, was among them. Shimei was from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He hurried down to welcome King David back. 17 There were 1,000 people from Benjamin with him. Ziba, the manager of Saul’s house, was with him too. And so were Ziba’s 15 sons and 20 servants. All of them rushed down to the River Jordan. That’s where the king was. 18 They went across at the place where people usually cross it. Then they brought the king’s family back over with them. They were ready to do anything he wanted them to do. Shimei, the son of Gera, had also gone across the Jordan. When he did, he fell down flat with his face towards the ground in front of the king. 19 He said to him, ‘You are my king and master. Please don’t hold me guilty. Please forgive me for the wrong things I did on the day you left Jerusalem. Please forget all about them. 20 I know I’ve sinned. But today I’ve come down here to welcome you. I’m the first member of Joseph’s whole family to do it.’ 21 Then Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, said, ‘Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for what he did? He cursed you. And you are the LORD’s anointed king.’ 22 But David replied, ‘You and Joab are sons of Zeruiah. What does this have to do with you? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel again?’ 23 So the king made a promise to Shimei. He said to him, ‘You aren’t going to be put to death.’ 24 Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson. He had also gone down to welcome the king back. He had not taken care of his feet. He hadn’t trimmed his moustache or washed his clothes. He hadn’t done any of those things from the day the king left Jerusalem until the day he returned safely. 25 He came from Jerusalem to welcome the king. The king asked him, ‘Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?’ 26 He said, ‘You are my king and master. I’m not able to walk. So I thought, “I’ll have a saddle put on my donkey. I’ll ride on it. Then I can go with the king.” But my servant Ziba turned against me. 27 He has told you lies about me. King David, you are like an angel of God. So do what you wish. 28 You should have put all the members of my grandfather’s family to death, including me. Instead, you always provided what I needed. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to you?’ 29 The king said to him, ‘You don’t have to say anything else. I order you and Ziba to divide up Saul’s land between you.’ 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, ‘I’m happy that you have returned home safely. So just let Ziba have everything.’ 31 Barzillai had also come down to go across the River Jordan with the king. He wanted to send the king on his way from there. Barzillai was from Rogelim in the land of Gilead. 32 He was very old. He was 80 years old. He had given the king everything he needed while the king was staying in Mahanaim. That’s because Barzillai was very wealthy. 33 The king said to Barzillai, ‘Come across the river with me. Stay with me in Jerusalem. I’ll take good care of you.’ 34 But Barzillai said to the king, ‘I shan’t live for many more years. So why should I go up to Jerusalem with you? 35 I’m already 80 years old. I can hardly tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what isn’t. I can hardly taste what I eat and drink. I can’t even hear the voices of male and female singers anymore. So why should I add my problems to yours? 36 I’ll go across the River Jordan with you for a little way. Why should you reward me by taking care of me? 37 Let me go back home. Then I can die in my own town. I can be buried there in the tomb of my father and mother. But let Kimham take my place. Let him go across the river with you. Do for him whatever you wish.’ 38 The king said, ‘Kimham will go across with me. I’ll do for him whatever you wish. And I’ll do for you anything you wish.’ 39 So all the people went across the River Jordan. Then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and said goodbye to him. And Barzillai went back home. 40 After the king had gone across the river, he went to Gilgal. Kimham had gone across with him. All the troops of Judah and half of the troops of Israel had taken the king across. 41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king. They were saying to him, ‘Why did the men of Judah take you away from us? They are our relatives. What right did they have to bring you and your family across the River Jordan? What right did they have to bring all your men over with you?’ 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel. They said, ‘We did that because the king is our close relative. So why should you be angry about what happened? Have we eaten any of the king’s food? Have we taken anything for ourselves?’ 43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah. They said, ‘We have ten of the 12 tribes in the kingdom. So we have a stronger claim on David than you have. Why then are you acting as if you hate us? Weren’t we the first ones to talk about bringing back our king?’ But the men of Judah argued their side even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

English Standard Version

Joab Rebukes David

1 It was told Joab, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle. 4 The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2Sa 15:30; 2Sa 18:33) 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 6 because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now.” (Ge 34:3)

David Returns to Jerusalem

8 Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his own home. (Ru 4:1; 2Sa 18:4; 2Sa 18:17; 2Sa 18:24; 2Sa 18:33)

Ru 4:12Sa 18:42Sa 18:172Sa 18:242Sa 18:33

9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. (2Sa 5:20; 2Sa 8:1; 2Sa 15:14) 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” 11 And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king?^[1] (2Sa 15:29) 12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ (Ge 29:14; 2Sa 5:1) 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if you are not commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.’” (Ru 1:17; 2Sa 8:16; 2Sa 17:25) 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.” (Jud 20:1) 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.

David Pardons His Enemies

16 And Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the men of Judah to meet King David. (2Sa 16:5; 1Ki 2:8) 17 And with him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king, (2Sa 9:2; 2Sa 9:10; 2Sa 16:1) 18 and they crossed the ford to bring over the king’s household and to do his pleasure. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. (1Sa 22:15; 2Sa 16:5) 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” (2Sa 16:5) 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” (Ex 22:28) 22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” (1Sa 11:13; 2Sa 16:10) 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath. (1Ki 2:8; 1Ki 2:37; 1Ki 2:46) 24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. (2Sa 9:6) 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” (2Sa 16:17) 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself,^[2] that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. (2Sa 9:3) 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. (1Sa 29:9; 2Sa 14:17; 2Sa 14:20; 2Sa 16:3)

1Sa 29:92Sa 14:172Sa 14:202Sa 16:3

28 For all my father’s house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?” (2Sa 9:7; 2Sa 9:10; 2Sa 9:13) 29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land.” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.” 31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. (1Ki 2:7) 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. (2Sa 17:27) 33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? (Ge 47:8) 35 I am this day eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? (2Sa 15:33; Ps 90:10) 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” (1Ki 2:7; Jer 41:17) 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you, and all that you desire of me I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. And the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home. (2Sa 14:33) 40 The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his way. 41 Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?” (2Sa 19:15) 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?” (2Sa 19:12) 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. (1Ki 11:30; Isa 9:21; Isa 11:13)