2 Samuel 19:9-15
New Living Translation
9 And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. 10 Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?”
11 Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready. 12 You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?” 13 And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.”
14 Then Amasa[a] convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.”
David’s Return to Jerusalem
15 So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river.
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- 19:14 Or David; Hebrew reads he.
2 Samuel 19:9-15
International Standard Version
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
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- 2 Samuel 19:11 The Heb. lacks this message
- 2 Samuel 19:14 The Heb. lacks By doing things like this
- 2 Samuel 19:14 The Heb. lacks in support of him
- 2 Samuel 19:15 The Heb. lacks River; and so throughout the chapter
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