⁹ Throughout the tribes of Israel, everyone was quarreling with one another:

“The king delivered us from the domination of our enemies….”

“He’s the one who rescued us from Philistine control….”

“Now he’s fleeing the country because of Absalom…!”

¹⁰ “The very same Absalom we anointed to rule just died in battle…!”

“Now then, why remain silent about bringing the king back…?”

¹¹ So King David sent this message^[a] to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his palace, considering that what’s being reported throughout all of Israel has come to the king at his palace? ¹² You’re my relatives! You’re my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last to bring back the king?’ ¹³ Then ask Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my own flesh and blood? So may God deal with me, no matter how severely, if from this day forward you don’t take Joab’s place as commander of my army.’

¹⁴ By doing things like this,^[b] he persuaded all the men of Judah to unite in support of him.^[c] They sent the king this message: “Come on back, you and all of your army!” ¹⁵ So the king returned to Israel as far as the Jordan River.^[d]

Shimei is Shown Mercy

The men of Judah went out as far as Gilgal to greet the king and escort him across the Jordan River