2 Samuel 19:1-23

Christian Standard Bible

David’s Kingdom Restored

19 It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping. He’s mourning over Absalom.” ² That day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the troops because on that day the troops heard, “The king is grieving over his son.” ³ So they returned to the city quietly that day like troops come in when they are humiliated after fleeing in battle. ⁴ But the king covered his face^(A) and cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”

⁵ Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have shamed all your soldiers—those who saved your life as well as your sons, your wives, and your concubines— ⁶ by loving your enemies and hating those who love you! Today you have made it clear that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. In fact, today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would be fine with you!^[a]

⁷ “Now get up! Go out and encourage^[b] your soldiers, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight.^(B) This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!”

⁸ So the king got up and sat in the city gate,^(C) and all the people were told, “Look, the king is sitting in the city gate.” Then they all came into the king’s presence.

Meanwhile, each Israelite had fled to his tent.^{(D) 9} People throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king rescued us from the grasp of our enemies,^(E) and he saved us from the grasp of the Philistines,^(F) but now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.^{(G) 10} But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?”

¹¹ King David sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar:^(H) “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace? The talk of all Israel has reached the king at his house. ¹² You are my brothers, my flesh and blood.^[c](I) So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ ¹³ And tell Amasa,^(J) ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood?^[d] May God punish me and do so severely if you don’t become commander of my army from now on instead of Joab!’”

¹⁴ So he won over^[e] all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.” ¹⁵ Then the king returned. When he arrived at the Jordan, Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.

¹⁶ Shimei son of Gera,^(K) the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. ¹⁷ There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him. Ziba, an attendant from the house of Saul,^(L) with his fifteen sons and twenty servants also rushed down to the Jordan ahead of the king. ¹⁸ They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired.^[f]

When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king ¹⁹ and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem.^(M) May the king not take it to heart. ²⁰ For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”

²¹ Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” ^(N)

²² David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?^(O) Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel?” ²³ So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.^(P)