2 Samuel 19

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 p covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, q "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" 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 r 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."

David Returns to Jerusalem

8 Then the king arose and took his s 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 t fled every man to his own home. 9 And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, u "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and v saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now w he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 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 x 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 12 You are my brothers; y you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?' 13 And say to Amasa, z 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? a God do so to me and more also, if you are not b commander of my army from now on in place of Joab.'" 14 And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah c as one man, so that they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants." 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 d Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, from Bahurim, hurried to come down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 And with him were a thousand men from Benjamin. And e Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants, rushed down to the Jordan before the king, 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, f "Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant g did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first h of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king." 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because i he cursed the Lord's anointed?" 22 But David said, j "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? k Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?" 23 l And the king said to Shimei, "You shall not die." And the king gave him his oath.

24 And m 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. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, n "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?" 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 o your servant is lame. 27 p He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is q like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you. 28 For all my father's house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but r you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king?" 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 s Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. t He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 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, u "How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am this day v 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 w an added burden to my lord the king? 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 x Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you." 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 y the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home. 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 z brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?" 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is a 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?" 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have b 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?" c But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

  1. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:30
    But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:33
    And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 34:3
    And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:4
    The king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So the king stood at the side of the gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands.
    2 Samuel 18:24
    Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone.
    2 Samuel 18:33
    And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!
    Ruth 4:1
    Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of whom Boaz had spoken, came by. So Boaz said, "Turn aside, friend; sit down here." And he turned aside and sat down.
  5. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:17
    And they took Absalom and threw him into a great pit in the forest and raised over him a very great heap of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his own home.
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 8:1 - 14
    After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
  7. Cross References
    2 Samuel 5:20
    And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The Lord has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.
    2 Samuel 8:1
    After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
  8. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:14
    Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.
  9. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:29
    So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.
  10. Cross References
    2 Samuel 5:1
    Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.
    Genesis 29:14
    And Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh!" And he stayed with him a month.
  11. Cross References
    2 Samuel 17:25
    Now Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra the Ishmaelite, who had married Abigal the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.
  12. Cross References
    Ruth 1:17
    Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.
  13. Cross References
    2 Samuel 8:16
    Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder.
  14. Cross References
    Judges 20:1
    Then all the people of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah.
  15. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:5
    When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
    1 Kings 2:8
    And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.
  16. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:2
    Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant.
    2 Samuel 9:10
    And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
    2 Samuel 16:1 - 4
    When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
  17. Cross References
    1 Samuel 22:15
    Is today the first time that I have inquired of God for him? No! Let not the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father, for your servant has known nothing of all this, much or little.
  18. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:5 - 13
    When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
  19. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:5
    When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 22:28
    You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
  21. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:10
    But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'
  22. Cross References
    1 Samuel 11:13
    But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel.
  23. Cross References
    1 Kings 2:8 - 9
    And there is also with you Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse on the day when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.
    1 Kings 2:37
    For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.
    1 Kings 2:46
    Then the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck him down, and he died. So the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
  24. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:6
    And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered, "Behold, I am your servant.
  25. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:17
    And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?
  26. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:3
    And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.
  27. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:3
    And the king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.'
  28. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:17
    And your servant thought, 'The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,' for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!
    2 Samuel 14:20
    In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.
    1 Samuel 29:9
    And Achish answered David and said, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.
  29. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:7
    And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.
    2 Samuel 9:10
    And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
    2 Samuel 9:13
    So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
  30. Cross References
    1 Kings 2:7
    But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
  31. Cross References
    2 Samuel 17:27 - 29
    When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.
  32. Cross References
    Genesis 47:8
    And Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How many are the days of the years of your life?
  33. Cross References
    Psalms 90:10
    The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
  34. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:33
    David said to him, "If you go on with me, you will be a burden to me.
  35. Cross References
    1 Kings 2:7
    But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
    Jeremiah 41:17
    And they went and stayed at Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, intending to go to Egypt
  36. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:33
    Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
  37. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:15
    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.
  38. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:12
    You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?
  39. Cross References
    1 Kings 11:30 - 31
    Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.
  40. Cross References
    Isaiah 9:21
    Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they are against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.
    Isaiah 11:13
    The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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