Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close EXB

2 Samuel 19
Expanded Bible

Joab Scolds David

19 People told Joab, “Look, the king is ·sad [mourning] and crying ·because of [for] Absalom.” 2 David’s army had won the battle that day. But ·it became a very sad day for all the people [L the victory that day turned to mourning], because they heard that the king was ·very sad [grieving] for his son. 3 The ·people [men; soldiers] ·came into the city quietly [L stole/crept into the city] that day. They were like an army that had been ·defeated in battle and had run away [L shamed for fleeing in battle]. 4 The king covered his face and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Joab went into the king’s house and said, “Today you have ·shamed [humiliated] all your men. They ·saved [rescued; T delivered] your life and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and ·slave women [L concubines; C secondary wives; 3:7]. 6 You have shamed them because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. Today you have made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be ·pleased [content]. 7 Now go out and ·encourage [reassure; speak kindly to] your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, ·no man will be left with you by tonight [L not one man will stay with you tonight]! That will be worse than ·all the troubles [any disaster/evil] you have had from your youth until today.”

8 So the king went to the city gate [C a place where public meetings and court cases were held; 15:2]. When the news spread that the king was at the gate, ·everyone [all the soldiers] came to see him.

David Goes Back to Jerusalem

·All the Israelites who had followed Absalom [L Israel] had run away to their ·homes [L tents]. 9 People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue, saying, “The king ·saved [rescued; T delivered] us from the Philistines and our other enemies, but he ·left [fled] the country because of Absalom. 10 We ·appointed [anointed] Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. ·We should make [L Why do you say nothing about making…?] David the king again.”

11 King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, that said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house ·I have heard what all the Israelites are saying [the talk of Israel has reached the king]. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his ·palace [L house; C even David’s own tribe was wavering in their support]? 12 You are my ·brothers [relatives; kin], my own ·family [L bone and flesh]. Why are you the last tribe to ·bring [welcome] back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘·You are part of my own family [L Are you not my bone and flesh?]. May God punish me terribly if I don’t make you commander of the army [L from now on; for life] in Joab’s place!’”

14 ·David [or Amasa; L He] ·touched [turned; swayed] the hearts of all the people of Judah ·at once [as one]. They sent a message to the king that said, “Return with all ·your men [L who serve you].” 15 Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and to ·bring [escort] him across the Jordan.

16 Shimei son of Gera, a Benjaminite who lived in Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With Shimei came a thousand Benjaminites. Ziba, the servant from Saul’s family, also came, bringing his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They all hurried to the Jordan River ·to meet [arriving before] the king. 18 The people went across the ·Jordan [L ford] to help ·bring [escort] the king’s family back to Judah and to do whatever the king wanted. As the king was crossing the river, Shimei son of Gera came to him and ·bowed facedown on the ground [prostrated himself] in front of the king. 19 He said to the king, “My master, don’t hold me guilty. ·Don’t remember [Forget] the wrong ·I [L your servant] did when you left Jerusalem! ·Don’t hold it against me [Put it out of your mind]. 20 I know I have sinned. That is why I am the first person from Joseph’s ·family [L house; C that is, the first Israelite] to come down and meet you today, my master and king!”

21 But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “·Shimei should die [L Should not Shimei die…?] because he cursed you, the Lord’s ·appointed king [anointed; 16:5–14]!”

22 David said, “·This does not concern [L What does this have to do with…?] you, sons of Zeruiah! Today you’re ·against me [my adversary]! No one will be put to death in Israel today. Today I know I am king over Israel!” 23 Then the king ·promised [vowed to] Shimei, “You won’t die [1 Kin. 2:8–9, 41–46].”

24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet King David. Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, cut his beard, or washed his clothes from the time the king had left Jerusalem until he returned ·safely [in peace; C demonstrating his concern for David’s welfare]. 25 When Mephibosheth came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”

26 He answered, “My master, my servant [C Ziba] tricked me! I am crippled, so ·I [L your servant] said to ·Ziba [L him], ‘Saddle a donkey. Then I will ride it so I can go with the king.’ 27 But he ·lied about [slandered] ·me [L your servant] to you [16:1–4]. You, my master and king, are like an angel from God. Do what ·you think is good [L is right in your eyes]. 28 ·You could have killed all my grandfather’s family [L My father’s household were doomed to death/as good as dead before my lord the king]. ·Instead [Yet], you put ·me [L your servant] with those people who eat at your own table. So I don’t have a right to ask anything more from the king!”

29 The king said to him, “Don’t say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the land.”

30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let Ziba take ·all the land [everything] now that my master the king has arrived safely home.”

31 Barzillai of Gilead came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king. 32 Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had ·taken care of [provided food for] the king when David was staying at Mahanaim, because Barzillai was a very rich man [17:27–29]. 33 David said to Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will ·take care of [provide for] you.”

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “·Do you know how old I am [L How long do I have to live]? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem? 35 I am eighty years old! Can your servant tell the difference between what is ·good [pleasant] and ·bad [unpleasant]? ·I am too old to [L Can I…?] taste what I eat or drink. ·I am too old to [L Can I …?] hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you be ·bothered [burdened] with ·me [L your servant]? 36 ·I am not worthy of a reward from you, but I will cross [L Why should the king reward me for merely going across…?] the Jordan River with you. 37 ·Then [Please] let ·me [L your servant] go back so I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham, your servant. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever ·you want [seems good to you/L in your eyes; 1 Kin. 2:7].”

38 The king answered, “Kimham will go with me. I will do for him anything ·you wish [that seems good to you/L in your eyes], and I will do anything for you that you wish.” 39 The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned home, and the king and all the people crossed the Jordan.

40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham went with him. All the ·troops [people] of Judah and half the ·troops [people] of Israel ·led [escorted; accompanied] David across [C the river Jordan].

41 Soon all the Israelites came to the king and said to him, “Why did our ·relatives [brothers], the people of Judah, steal you away? Why did they bring you and your family across the Jordan River ·with [along with all] your men?”

42 All the people of Judah answered the Israelites, “We did this because the king is our ·close relative [kin]. Why are you angry about it? ·We have not [L Have we…?] eaten food at the king’s expense or ·taken anything [received any favors/gifts] for ourselves!”

43 The Israelites answered the people of Judah, “We have ten ·tribes [L shares] in the ·kingdom [L king], so we have more ·right to [claim on] David than you do! ·But you ignored us! [L Why did you treat us with contempt?] ·We were [L Weren’t we…?] the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!”

But the people of Judah spoke even more ·unkindly [harshly; fiercely] than the people of Israel.

Listen to 2 Samuel 19
Close NASB

2 Samuel 19
New American Standard Bible

Joab Disapproves of David’s Mourning

19 [a]Then it was reported to Joab, “Behold, (A)the king is weeping and he mourns for Absalom.” 2 So the [b]victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, because the people heard it said that day, “The king is in mourning over his son.” 3 And the people entered the city surreptitiously that day, just as people who are humiliated surreptitiously flee in battle. 4 And the king (B)covered his face and [c]cried out with a loud voice, “(C)My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!” 5 Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed [d]all your servants, who have saved your life today and the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines, 6 by loving those who hate you, and by hating those who love you. For you have revealed today that [e]commanders and servants are nothing to you; for I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then it would be right [f]as far as you are concerned. 7 Now therefore arise, go out and speak [g]kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, (D)no man will stay the night with you, and this will be worse for you than all the misfortune that has [h]happened to you from your youth until now!”

David Restored as King

8 So the king got up and sat at the gate. When they told all the people, saying, “Behold, the king is (E)sitting at the gate,” then all the people came before the king.

Now (F)Israel had fled, each to his tent. 9 And all the people were quarreling throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “(G)The king rescued us from the [i]hands of our enemies and (H)saved us from the [j]hands of the Philistines, but now (I)he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 However, Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now then, why are you silent about bringing the king back?”

11 Then King David sent word to (J)Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the word of all Israel has come to the king, even to his house? 12 You are my brothers; (K)you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to (L)Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? (M)May God do so to me, and more so, if you will not be (N)commander of the army [k]for me continually, (O)in place of Joab.’” 14 So he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah (P)as one man, so that they sent word to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.” 15 The king then returned and came as far as the Jordan. And the men of Judah came to (Q)Gilgal in order to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan.

16 Then (R)Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjaminite who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and (S)Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they rushed to the Jordan before the king. 18 Then they crossed the shallow places repeatedly to bring over the king’s household, and to do what was good in his sight. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was about to cross the Jordan. 19 And he said to the king, “(T)May my lord not consider me guilty, nor call to mind what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king went out from Jerusalem, so that the king would [l]take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned; so behold, I have come today, (U)the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.” 21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah responded, “(V)Should Shimei not be put to death for this, (W)the fact that he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 David then said, “(X)What [m]is there between you and me, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be an adversary to me today? (Y)Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “(Z)You shall not die.” The king also swore to him.

24 Then (AA)Mephibosheth the [n]grandson of Saul came down to meet the king; but (AB)he had neither [o]tended to his feet, nor [p]trimmed his mustache, nor (AC)washed his clothes since the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25 And it was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “(AD)Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 So he said, “My lord the king, my servant betrayed me; for your servant said, ‘I will [q]saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ (AE)since your servant cannot walk. 27 Furthermore, (AF)he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is (AG)like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight. 28 For (AH)all my father’s household was only people worthy of death to my lord the king; (AI)yet you placed your servant among those who ate at your own table. So what right do I still have, that I should [r]complain anymore to the king?” 29 So the king said to him, “Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have [s]decided, ‘You and Ziba shall divide the land.’” 30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him even take it all, since my lord the king has come safely to his own house.”

31 Now (AJ)Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to [t]escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was very old: eighty years old; and he had (AK)provided the king food while he stayed in Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 33 So the king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me, and I will provide you food in Jerusalem with me.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “(AL)How long [u]do I still have to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am [v]now (AM)eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Or can I still hear (AN)the voice of men and women singing? (AO)Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king. So why should the king compensate me with this reward? 37 Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant (AP)Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you [w]require of me, I will do for you.” 39 All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too. The king then (AQ)kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also (AR)half the people of Israel [x]accompanied the king. 41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “(AS)Why have our brothers, (AT)the men of Judah, abducted you and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him, over the Jordan?” 42 Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because (AU)the king is a close relative to [y]us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all [z]at the king’s expense, or has anything been taken for us?” 43 But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “[aa](AV)We have ten parts in the king, therefore [ab]we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat [ac]us with contempt? Was it not [ad]our [ae]advice first to bring back [af]our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:1 Ch 19:2 in Heb
  2. 2 Samuel 19:2 Lit salvation
  3. 2 Samuel 19:4 Lit the king cried
  4. 2 Samuel 19:5 Lit the faces of all
  5. 2 Samuel 19:6 Or princes
  6. 2 Samuel 19:6 Lit in your eyes
  7. 2 Samuel 19:7 Lit to the heart of your
  8. 2 Samuel 19:7 Lit come upon
  9. 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
  10. 2 Samuel 19:9 Lit palm
  11. 2 Samuel 19:13 Lit before me
  12. 2 Samuel 19:19 Lit set
  13. 2 Samuel 19:22 Lit to me and to you; an ancient idiom
  14. 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit son
  15. 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
  16. 2 Samuel 19:24 Lit done
  17. 2 Samuel 19:26 I.e., have the donkey saddled
  18. 2 Samuel 19:28 Lit cry out
  19. 2 Samuel 19:29 Lit said
  20. 2 Samuel 19:31 Lit send
  21. 2 Samuel 19:34 Lit are the days of the years of my life
  22. 2 Samuel 19:35 Lit today
  23. 2 Samuel 19:38 Lit choose
  24. 2 Samuel 19:40 Lit crossed over with
  25. 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit me
  26. 2 Samuel 19:42 Lit from the king
  27. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  28. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  29. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  30. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
  31. 2 Samuel 19:43 Lit word
  32. 2 Samuel 19:43 Singular in Heb
Next
2 Samuel 18
2 Samuel 20
Next
dropdown
Expanded Bible (EXB)

The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation