² So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,^(A) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.^(B)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples^(A) turned back and no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.^(B)

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him,^(C) “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.^(D)

¹⁷ But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.

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?”^(A)

¹⁵ Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan.

Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal^(A) to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.