2 Samuel 19: Joab rebukes David, and the king comes back over the Jordan
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What happens?
The victory turns into mourning as David weeps for Absalom, until Joab tells him that he has shamed the servants who saved his life, and that if he does not go out to them not one man will stay with him that night; so the king sits in the gate. The tribes argue about bringing the king back, and David sends word to the elders of Judah, and promises to make Amasa commander of the army in Joab's place. At the Jordan, Shimei falls down before the king and asks to be forgiven; Abishai says he should die, but David swears that he will not die. Mephibosheth comes, his feet, beard and clothes not cared for since the day the king left, and says Ziba deceived and slandered him; David tells them to divide the land. Barzillai, eighty years old, crosses the Jordan with the king but asks to go home, and sends Chimham instead. Then the men of Israel and the men of Judah quarrel over the king, and the words of the men of Judah are fiercer.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words in this chapter. Joab is told about the king in verse 1, and verse 2 gives what the people heard. David weeps for Absalom in verse 4. Joab speaks to the king in verses 5 to 7, and swears by Yahweh in verse 7: that is his own oath. The people are told that the king sits in the gate in verse 8. The tribes of Israel speak in verses 9 and 10. David sends his message to the priests and the elders of Judah in verses 11 to 13, and Judah answers in verse 14. Shimei speaks in verses 19 and 20, Abishai in verse 21, and David in verses 22 and 23. David and Mephibosheth speak in verses 25 to 30, and David and Barzillai in verses 33 to 38. The men of Israel and the men of Judah speak in verses 41 to 43. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”
In plain English: Joab was told, "Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom."
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2The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.”
In plain English: So the victory (or: the rescue) that day turned into mourning for all the people, because the people heard it said that day, "The king is grieving for his son."
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3The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
In plain English: That day the people slipped into the city quietly, as people who are ashamed slip away when they run from a battle.
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4The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
In plain English: The king covered his face, and the king cried out in a loud voice, "My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!"
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5Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;
In plain English: Joab came into the house to the king and said, "Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants, who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines,
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6in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.
In plain English: by loving those who hate you and hating those who love you. You have made it plain today that commanders and servants mean nothing to you. I can see today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, that would please you (literally: be right in your eyes).
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7Now therefore arise, go out and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don’t go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”
In plain English: So now get up, go out, and speak kindly to your servants (literally: speak to the heart of your servants). For I swear by Yahweh, if you do not go out, not one man will stay with you tonight. That would be worse for you than all the trouble that has come on you from your youth until now."
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8Then the king arose and sat in the gate. The people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.
In plain English: So the king got up and sat in the gate. All the people were told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate." And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had run away, each man to his tent.
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9All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.
In plain English: All the people throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing (this Bible: at strife), saying, "The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines. Now he has fled from the land, away from Absalom.
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10Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”
In plain English: And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. So now why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"
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11King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house?
In plain English: King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah and say, 'Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king, to bring him back to his house?
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12You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
In plain English: You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring the king back?'
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13Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”
In plain English: And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me from now on (literally: all the days) in place of Joab.'"
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14He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”
In plain English: He turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so they sent word to the king: "Come back, you and all your servants."
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15So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
In plain English: So the king came back and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal to go and meet the king and to bring the king over the Jordan.
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16Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
In plain English: Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
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17There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul’s house, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.
In plain English: A thousand men of Benjamin were with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul's house, with his fifteen sons and his twenty servants. They rushed into the Jordan ahead of the king (this Bible: went through the Jordan in the presence of the king).
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18A ferry boat went to bring over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had come over the Jordan.
In plain English: The ferry boat (or: the ford; literally: the crossing) went across to bring over the king's household and to do whatever he wanted. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as the king was crossing the Jordan (this Bible: when he had come over the Jordan).
The Hebrew word: "A ferry boat" is avarah, which the dictionary gives as "a crossing-place". It is in only 2 verses of the Bible: here and , where this Bible says "the fords of the wilderness".
What changes: Read as "a ferry boat", a boat went across to carry the king's household. Read as "the ford", the people went over at the crossing place. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "a ferry-boat". Either way, the king's household is brought over the Jordan.
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19He said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
In plain English: He said to the king, "Do not let my lord count me guilty (this Bible: impute iniquity to me), or remember the wrong your servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem, so that the king takes it to heart.
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20For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
In plain English: For your servant knows that I have sinned. So look, today I have come, the first of all the house of Joseph, to come down and meet my lord the king."
Good to know: Shimei is a Benjamite (verse 16), and he says he has come as "the first of all the house of Joseph". Joseph and Benjamin were the two sons of Rachel (), and Joseph's sons were Manasseh and Ephraim ( and ). The text does not explain why Shimei uses this name.
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21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?”
In plain English: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, "Should Shimei not be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?"
Good to know: "Anointed" is mashiach, the word explained in the note on . In 2 Samuel this Bible says "anointed" in all 6 verses that use it. Here Abishai uses it of David, as David used it of Saul.
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22David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?”
In plain English: David said, "What do I have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that today you should be my adversaries? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Do I not know that today I am king over Israel?"
The Hebrew word: "Adversaries" is satan, which the dictionary gives as "an opponent", and adds that it is used especially for Satan, "the arch-enemy of good". This Bible says "Satan" in 14 of the 23 verses that use it, and "adversary" in 8. Yahweh's angel stands in Balaam's way "as an adversary" (), and Yahweh raises up Hadad as "an adversary to Solomon" ().
Church tradition: In and this Bible prints the same word as the name "Satan", and speaks of "the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan". Here the word is used of people: David calls the sons of Zeruiah his adversaries.
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23The king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore to him.
In plain English: The king said to Shimei, "You will not die." And the king swore it to him.
Good to know: Later, in and , David reminds Solomon that Shimei "cursed me with a grievous curse", that "I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword'", and tells Solomon, "don't hold him guiltless". The text here says only that the king swore that Shimei would not die.
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24Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
In plain English: Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet (literally: done his feet), trimmed his beard (literally: his moustache), or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came back in peace.
Good to know: Here Mephibosheth is called "the son of Saul". and say he was the son of Jonathan, Saul's son. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "the son of Saul's son". names another Mephibosheth, a son of Saul by Rizpah.
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25When he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
In plain English: When he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
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26He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.
In plain English: He answered, "My lord the king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself, so that I can ride on it and go with the king,' because your servant is lame.
Good to know: Mephibosheth was five years old when his nurse picked him up and fled, and as she hurried, he fell and became lame (); he was "lame in both his feet" (). In Ziba told David that Mephibosheth had stayed in Jerusalem because he said Israel would give him back "the kingdom of my father". Here Mephibosheth says his servant deceived him. The text does not say which of them told the truth.
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27He has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.
In plain English: He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God. So do whatever seems good to you (literally: in your eyes).
Good to know: The woman of Tekoa also told David that he was "as an angel of God" (, ), and Achish said something like it of David in .
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28For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should appeal any more to the king?”
In plain English: For all my father's house were nothing but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you put your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I still have to cry out any more to the king?"
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29The king said to him, “Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”
In plain English: The king said to him, "Why do you speak any more about your affairs? I say: you and Ziba divide the land (literally: the field)."
Good to know: In David gave Mephibosheth all that belonged to Saul. In , after Ziba's report, he said to Ziba, "all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours". Now he says the two of them are to divide the land. The text does not say whom David believed.
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30Mephibosheth said to the king, “Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”
In plain English: Mephibosheth said to the king, "Yes, let him take it all, now that my lord the king has come home in peace to his own house."
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31Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan.
In plain English: Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim. He went over the Jordan with the king, to send him on his way over the Jordan.
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32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.
In plain English: Barzillai was very old, eighty years old. He had provided for the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, because he was a very great man.
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33The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”
In plain English: The king said to Barzillai, "Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem."
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34Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
In plain English: Barzillai said to the king, "How many years do I have left to live (literally: How many are the days of the years of my life), that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
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35I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
In plain English: I am eighty years old today. Can I tell good from bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singing? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king any more?
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36Your servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
In plain English: Your servant will go just a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
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37Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”
In plain English: Please let your servant go back, so that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and my mother. But look, here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you."
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38The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”
In plain English: The king answered, "Chimham will go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. And whatever you ask of me, I will do for you."
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39All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
In plain English: All the people crossed the Jordan, and the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai went back to his own home (literally: place).
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40So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.
In plain English: So the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king over.
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41Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”
In plain English: Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to him, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"
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42All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s cost? Or has he given us any gift?”
In plain English: All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything at the king's cost? Or has he given us any gift?"
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43The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
In plain English: The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten shares (literally: ten hands) in the king, and we also have more right to David than you. Why then did you look down on us (this Bible: despise us)? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?" But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer (literally: harder) than the words of the men of Israel.
The Hebrew words: "Ten parts" is literally "ten hands". The text does not say what the ten stand for. "Despise" is qalal, the same word used for Shimei's cursing in chapter 16 and in verse 21. The dictionary gives it as "to be ... light", and in a figurative sense "easy, trifling, vile". In 2 Samuel it is in 10 verses, and this Bible says "curse" or a longer form in 7 of them.
Good to know: The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) adds a few words: "and we are older than you".
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