So the king came out and took his place at the city gate. Soon everyone knew: “Oh, look! The king has come out to receive us.” And his whole army came and presented itself to the king. But the Israelites had fled the field of battle and gone home.

9-10 Meanwhile, the whole populace was now complaining to its leaders, “Wasn’t it the king who saved us time and again from our enemies, and rescued us from the Philistines? And now he has had to flee the country on account of Absalom. And now this Absalom whom we made king is dead in battle. So what are you waiting for? Why don’t you bring the king back?”

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message SOLO: An Uncommon Devotional - eBook
The Message SOLO: An Uncommon Devotional - eBook
Retail: $17.99
Our Price: $9.99
Save: $8.00 (44%)
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, hardcover
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, hardcover
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Pause - The Message//REMIX: A Daily Reading Bible - eBook
Pause - The Message//REMIX: A Daily Reading Bible - eBook
Retail: $14.99
Our Price: $9.69
Save: $5.30 (35%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message for Graduates
The Message for Graduates
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $9.69
Save: $3.30 (25%)