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2 Samuel 19
1599 Geneva Bible

19 7 Joab encourageth the king. 8 David is restored. 23 Shimei is pardoned. 24 Mephibosheth meeteth the king. 39 Barzillai departeth. 41 Israel striveth with Judah.

1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the King weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

2 Therefore the [a]victory of that day was turned into mourning to all the people: for the people heard say that day, The King sorroweth for his son.

3 And the people went that day into the city [b]secretly, as people confounded hide themselves when they flee in battle.

4 So the King [c]hid his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, My son Absalom, Absalom my son, my son.

5 ¶ Then Joab came into the [d]house to the King, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines,

6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends: for thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither thy [e]princes, nor servants: therefore this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and we all had died this day, that then it would have [f]pleased thee well.

7 Now therefore up, come out, and speak [g]comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, except thou come out, there will not tarry one man with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee, than all the evil that fell on thee from thy youth hitherto.

8 Then the king arose, and sat in the [h]gate: and they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate: and all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

9 ¶ Then all the people were at [i]strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The King saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines, and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle: therefore why are ye so slow to bring the king again?

11 But King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the [j]Priests, saying, Speak unto the Elders of Judah, and say, Why are ye behind to bring the King again to his house (for the saying of all Israel is come unto the King, even to his house.)

12 Ye are my brethren: my bones and my flesh are ye: Wherefore then are ye the last that bring the King again?

13 Also say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host to me forever in the [k]room of Joab.

14 So he bowed the hearts of all the men of Judah, as of one man: therefore they sent to the King, saying, Return thou with all thy servants.

15 ¶ So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, for to go to meet the king, and to conduct him over Jordan.

16 ¶ And [l]Shimei the son of Gera, the son of Benjamin, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David,

17 And a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and (A)Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him: and they went over Jordan before the king.

18 And there went over a boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do him pleasure. Then Shimei the son of Gera fell before the king, when he was come over Jordan,

19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute (B)wickedness unto me, nor remember the thing that thy servant did [m]wickedly when my lord the King departed out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

20 For thy servant doth know, that I have done amiss: therefore behold, I am the first this day of all the house of [n]Joseph, that am come to go down to meet my lord the king.

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, and said, Shall not Shimei die for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?

22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that this day ye should be adversaries unto me? shall there any man die this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not [o]die, and the king swore unto him.

24 ¶ And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither washed his feet, nor dressed his beard, nor washed his clothes from the time the king departed, until he returned in peace.

25 And when [p]he was come to Jerusalem, and met the king, the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?

26 And he answered, My lord the King, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I would have mine ass saddled to ride thereon, for to go with the king, because thy servant is lame.

27 And he hath (C)accused thy servant unto my lord the king: but my lord the king is as an [q]angel of God: do therefore thy pleasure.

28 For all my father’s house were [r]but dead men before my lord the king, yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table: what right therefore have I yet to cry anymore unto the king?

29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou anymore of thy matters? I have said, Thou, and Ziba, divide the [s]lands.

30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, seeing my lord the king is come home in peace.

31 ¶ Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old, and he had provided the king of sustenance, while he lay at Mahanaim: for he was a man of very great substance.

33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.

34 And Barzillai said unto the king, [t]How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good or evil? Hath thy servant any taste in that I eat, or in that I drink? Can I hear anymore the voice of singing men and women? wherefore then should thy servant be anymore a [u]burthen unto my lord the king?

36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king, and why will the king recompense it me with such a reward?

37 I pray thee, let thy servant turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried in the grave of my father and of my mother: but behold thy servant [v]Chimham, let him go with my lord the King, and do to him what shall please thee.

38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go with me, and I will do to him that thou shalt be content with: and whatsoever thou shalt [w]require of me, that will I do for thee.

39 So all the people went over Jordan: and the king passed over: and the king kissed Barzillai, and [x]blessed him, and he returned unto his own place.

40 ¶ Then the King went to [y]Gilgal, and Chimham went with him, and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of [z]Israel.

41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household, and all David’s men with him over [aa]Jordan?

42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: and wherefore now be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten of the king’s cost, or have we taken any bribes?

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and have also more right to David than ye: Why then did ye despise us [ab]that our advise should not be first had in restoring our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:2 Hebrew, salvation, or deliverance.
  2. 2 Samuel 19:3 Or, by stealth.
  3. 2 Samuel 19:4 As they do that mourn.
  4. 2 Samuel 19:5 At Mahanaim.
  5. 2 Samuel 19:6 Or, captains.
  6. 2 Samuel 19:6 Hebrew, been right in thine eyes.
  7. 2 Samuel 19:7 Hebrew, to the heart of thy servant.
  8. 2 Samuel 19:8 Where the most resort of the people haunted.
  9. 2 Samuel 19:9 Everyone blamed another and strove who should first bring him home.
  10. 2 Samuel 19:11 That they should reprove the negligence of the Elders, seeing the people were so forward.
  11. 2 Samuel 19:13 By this policy David thought that by winning of the captain, he should have the hearts of all the people.
  12. 2 Samuel 19:16 Who had before reviled him, 2 Sam. 16:13.
  13. 2 Samuel 19:19 For in his adversity he was his most cruel enemy, and now in his prosperity, seeketh by flattery to creep into favor.
  14. 2 Samuel 19:20 By Joseph he meaneth Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin (whereof he was) because these three were under one standard, Num. 2:18.
  15. 2 Samuel 19:23 By my hands, or during my life, as read 1 Kings 2:8, 9.
  16. 2 Samuel 19:25 When Mephibosheth being at Jerusalem had met the King.
  17. 2 Samuel 19:27 Able for his wisdom to judge in all matters.
  18. 2 Samuel 19:28 Worthy to die for Saul’s cruelty toward thee.
  19. 2 Samuel 19:29 David did evil in taking his lands from him before he knew the cause, but much worse, that knowing the truth, he did not restore them.
  20. 2 Samuel 19:34 Hebrew, how many days are the years of my life?
  21. 2 Samuel 19:35 He thought it not meet to receive benefits of him to whom he was not able to do service again.
  22. 2 Samuel 19:37 My son.
  23. 2 Samuel 19:38 Or, choose.
  24. 2 Samuel 19:39 Or, bade him farewell.
  25. 2 Samuel 19:40 Where the tribe of Judah tarried to receive him.
  26. 2 Samuel 19:40 Which had taken part with the King.
  27. 2 Samuel 19:41 Toward Jerusalem.
  28. 2 Samuel 19:43 Or, have not we first spoken to bring home the King? verse 11.
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2 Samuel 19
New International Version

19 [a]Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2 And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle. 4 The king covered his face and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. 6 You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7 Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.”(A)

8 So the king got up and took his seat in the gateway. When the men were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,(B)” they all came before him.

Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled to their homes.

David Returns to Jerusalem

9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines.(C) But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom;(D) 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 King David sent this message to Zadok(E) and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa,(F) ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood?(G) May God deal with me, be it ever so severely,(H) if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.(I)’”

14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.

Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal(J) to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei(K) son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba,(L) the steward of Saul’s household,(M) and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished.

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.(N) May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.”

21 Then Abishai(O) son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed(P) the Lord’s anointed.”(Q)

22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(R) What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today?(S) Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath.(T)

24 Mephibosheth,(U) Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me,(V) Mephibosheth?”

26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame,(W) I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba(X) my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel(Y) of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death(Z) from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table.(AA) So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”

29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”

31 Barzillai(AB) the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy(AC) man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty(AD) years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers?(AE) Why should your servant be an added(AF) burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father(AG) and mother. But here is your servant Kimham.(AH) Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”

38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell,(AI) and Barzillai returned to his home.

40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.

41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?”(AJ)

42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”

43 Then the men of Israel(AK) answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?”

But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-43 is numbered 19:2-44.
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