Joab Confronts the Grieving King
19 1 Word reached Joab: "Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." 2 So that day the victory became mourning for all the people, because they heard that day, "The king grieves over his son."
3 The people crept into the city that day, like those shamed and slinking away after fleeing battle. 4 The king covered his face, crying loudly, "My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!"
5 Joab came to the king and said, "Today you have shamed all your servants, who this day saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, and the lives of your wives and concubines," 6 by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. Today you've shown that commanders and servants mean nothing to you. Now I know that if Absalom lived and we all had died, you'd be pleased. 7 Now get up, go out, and speak kindly to your servants. I swear by our Father, if you don't go out, not one man will stay with you tonight — worse for you than all the trouble you've had since your youth.
David Returns to His People
8 So the king got up and sat in the gate. When the people were told, "The king is sitting in the gate," they all came before him. Now Israel had fled, everyone to his home. 9 Throughout Israel's tribes the people argued: "The king saved us from our enemies, rescued us from the Philistines, but now he's fled the land because of Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed to rule us, died in battle. So why say nothing about bringing the king back?
11 King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests: "Tell the elders of Judah, 'Why be the last to bring the king back home, when all Israel's word has reached the king at his home?' 12 You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be last to bring back the king? 13 Say to Amasa, 'Aren't you my own flesh and blood? May our Father do this to me and more if you don't become my permanent army commander, replacing Joab.'" 14 David won over all the men of Judah as one man, and they sent word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants."
15 The king returned and came to the Jordan; Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.
David Shows Mercy to Shimei
16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, rushed down with Judah's men to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, and Ziba, servant of Saul's house, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan ahead of the king, 18 and crossed the ford to bring the king's household over and do what pleased him. Shimei son of Gera fell before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said, "My lord, don't hold this against me, and don't remember how your servant did wrong the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Don't let the king take it to heart. 20 Your servant knows I have sinned. So today I've come first of all Joseph's house to meet my lord the king." a a v20 The 'house of Joseph' refers to the northern tribes of Israel, descended from Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for cursing our Father's anointed?"
22 David said, "Why meddle with me, sons of Zeruiah, making yourselves my enemies today? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don't I know that today I am king over Israel?" 23 The king told Shimei, "You will not die," and the king swore to him.
24 Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, came down to meet the king. He had not tended his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until he came back safely. 25 When he reached Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked, "Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26 He said, "My lord the king, my servant tricked me. I said, 'I'll saddle my donkey and ride with the king,' for I am lame." 27 He slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of our Father; do what seems good to you. 28 All my father's house deserved only death from my lord the king, yet you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What right have I to appeal to the king again?
29 The king said, "Why say more about your affairs? I've decided: you and Ziba will divide the land."
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him take it all, now that my lord the king has come home safely."
31 Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king, to see him off. 32 Barzillai, very old at eighty, had fed the king during his stay at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king told Barzillai, "Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem."
34 Barzillai said to the king, "How many years do I have left, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?" 35 I am eighty years old today. Can I tell good from bad? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear singing men and women? Why should your servant burden my lord the king further? 36 Your servant will cross the Jordan with the king a short way. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return to die in my own city near my father and mother's grave. But your servant Chimham is here; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.
38 The king said, "Chimham will cross with me, and I will do for him what pleases you, and whatever you ask of me I will do for you."
39 All the people crossed the Jordan, and the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home. 40 The king crossed to Gilgal, Chimham with him. All Judah's people, and half of Israel's, escorted the king.
41 Then all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal you away and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, with all David's men?"
42 The men of Judah answered Israel, "The king is our close relative. Why are you angry about this? Have we eaten any of the king's food, or has he given us a gift?"
43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten shares in the king, and a greater claim on David than you. So why did you despise us? Weren't we first to speak of bringing back our king?" But Judah's words were harsher than Israel's.
