2 Samuel 19:9-15

Modern English Version

David Returns to Jerusalem

⁹ Now all of the people began to quarrel throughout all of the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled from the land on account of Absalom. ¹⁰ But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now why are you idle to bring back the king?”

¹¹ Then David sent word to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Israel, saying, ‘Why are you last to bring the king back to his house when the word of all Israel has come to the king, to his house? ¹² You are my brother. You are my bone and my flesh. Why are you last to bring back the king?’ ¹³ Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do to me, and more so, if you are not commander of the army before me from now on in the place of Joab.’ ”

¹⁴ He swayed the heart of every man of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent a message to the king: “Return, you and all of your servants.”

¹⁵ So the king returned and came as far as the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring the king across the Jordan.