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All the people were disputing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land because of Absalom.(A) 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?”

11 King David sent this message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house? The talk of all Israel has come to the king.[a] 12 You are my kin; you are my bone and my flesh; why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’(B) 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? So may God do to me and more, if you are not the commander of my army from now on, in place of Joab.’ ”(C) 14 Amasa[b] swayed the hearts of all the people of Judah as one, and they sent word to the king, “Return, both you and all your servants.”(D) 15 So the king came back to the Jordan, and Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring him over the Jordan.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 19.11 Gk: Heb to the king, to his house
  2. 19.14 Heb He

All the people in all the tribes of Israel were quarreling and saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies. He saved us from the hand of the Philistines. Now he has fled out of the land from Absalom. 10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now why are you silent about bringing back the king?”

11 King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. He said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Ask them, ‘Why will you be the last to bring the king back to his palace?’ The plan that all Israel has been discussing has been reported to the king at his house. 12 You are my brothers. You are my flesh and blood.[a] Why will you be the last to bring back the king?”

13 He also said, “Say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my flesh and blood? May God punish me severely and double it,[b] if you are not the permanent commander of my army in place of Joab.’”

14 David turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as if they were one man. They sent to the king and said, “Return, you and all your servants.”

15 So the king returned and came to the Jordan. The men of Judah came out to Gilgal to meet the king and to bring the king across the Jordan.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:12 Literally my bone and flesh
  2. 2 Samuel 19:13 Literally may God do this to me and even more