1 And it was told{H5046}{(H8714)} Joab{H3097}, Behold, the king{H4428} weepeth{H1058}{(H8802)} and mourneth{H56}{(H8691)} for Absalom{H53}.

2 And the victory{H8668} that day{H3117} was turned into mourning{H60} unto all the people{H5971}: for the people{H5971} heard{H8085}{(H8804)} say{H559}{(H8800)} that day{H3117} how the king{H4428} was grieved{H6087}{(H8738)} for his son{H1121}.

3 And the people{H5971} gat{H935}{(H8800)} them by stealth{H1589}{(H8691)} that day{H3117} into the city{H5892}, as people{H5971} being ashamed{H3637}{(H8737)} steal away{H1589}{(H8691)} when they flee{H5127}{(H8800)} in battle{H4421}.

4 But the king{H4428} covered{H3813}{(H8804)} his face{H6440}, and the king{H4428} cried{H2199}{(H8799)} with a loud{H1419} voice{H6963}, O my son{H1121} Absalom{H53}, O Absalom{H53}, my son{H1121}, my son{H1121}!

5 And Joab{H3097} came{H935}{(H8799)} into the house{H1004} to the king{H4428}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Thou hast shamed{H3001}{(H8689)} this day{H3117} the faces{H6440} of all thy servants{H5650}, which this day{H3117} have saved{H4422}{(H8764)} thy life{H5315}, and the lives{H5315} of thy sons{H1121} and of thy daughters{H1323}, and the lives{H5315} of thy wives{H802}, and the lives{H5315} of thy concubines{H6370};

6 In that thou lovest{H157}{(H8800)} thine enemies{H8130}{(H8802)}, and hatest{H8130}{(H8800)} thy friends{H157}{(H8802)}. For thou hast declared{H5046}{(H8689)} this day{H3117}, that thou regardest neither princes{H8269} nor servants{H5650}: for this day{H3117} I perceive{H3045}{(H8804)}, that if{H3863} Absalom{H53} had lived{H2416}, and all we had died{H4191}{(H8801)} this day{H3117}, then it had pleased thee well{H3477}{H5869}.

7 Now therefore arise{H6965}{(H8798)}, go forth{H3318}{(H8798)}, and speak{H1696}{(H8761)} comfortably{H3820} unto thy servants{H5650}: for I swear{H7650}{(H8738)} by the LORD{H3068}, if thou go not forth{H3318}{(H8802)}, there will not tarry{H3885}{(H8799)} one{H376} with thee this night{H3915}: and that will be worse{H7489}{(H8804)} unto thee than all the evil{H7451} that befell{H935}{(H8804)} thee from thy youth{H5271} until now.

8 Then the king{H4428} arose{H6965}{(H8799)}, and sat{H3427}{(H8799)} in the gate{H8179}. And they told{H5046}{(H8689)} unto all the people{H5971}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Behold, the king{H4428} doth sit{H3427}{(H8802)} in the gate{H8179}. And all the people{H5971} came{H935}{(H8799)} before{H6440} the king{H4428}: for Israel{H3478} had fled{H5127}{(H8804)} every man{H376} to his tent{H168}.

9 And all the people{H5971} were at strife{H1777}{(H8737)} throughout all the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, The king{H4428} saved{H5337}{(H8689)} us out of the hand{H3709} of our enemies{H341}{(H8802)}, and he delivered{H4422}{(H8765)} us out of the hand{H3709} of the Philistines{H6430}; and now he is fled{H1272}{(H8804)} out of the land{H776} for Absalom{H53}.

10 And Absalom{H53}, whom we anointed{H4886}{(H8804)} over us, is dead{H4191}{(H8804)} in battle{H4421}. Now therefore why speak{H2790}{(H8688)} ye not a word of bringing{H7725} the king{H4428} back{H7725}{(H8687)}?

11 And king{H4428} David{H1732} sent{H7971}{(H8804)} to Zadok{H6659} and to Abiathar{H54} the priests{H3548}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Speak{H1696}{(H8761)} unto the elders{H2205} of Judah{H3063}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Why are ye the last{H314} to bring{H7725} the king{H4428} back{H7725}{(H8687)} to his house{H1004}? seeing the speech{H1697} of all Israel{H3478} is come{H935}{(H8804)} to the king{H4428}, even to his house{H1004}.

12 Ye are my brethren{H251}, ye are my bones{H6106} and my flesh{H1320}: wherefore then are ye the last{H314} to bring back{H7725}{(H8687)} the king{H4428}?

13 And say{H559}{(H8799)} ye to Amasa{H6021}, Art thou not of my bone{H6106}, and of my flesh{H1320}? God{H430} do{H6213}{(H8799)} so to me, and more{H3254}{(H8686)} also, if thou be not captain{H8269} of the host{H6635} before{H6440} me continually{H3117} in the room{H8478} of Joab{H3097}.

14 And he bowed{H5186}{(H8686)} the heart{H3824} of all the men{H376} of Judah{H3063}, even as the heart of one{H259} man{H376}; so that they sent{H7971}{(H8799)} this word unto the king{H4428}, Return{H7725}{(H8798)} thou, and all thy servants{H5650}.

15 So the king{H4428} returned{H7725}{(H8799)}, and came{H935}{(H8799)} to Jordan{H3383}. And Judah{H3063} came{H935}{(H8804)} to Gilgal{H1537}, to go{H3212}{(H8800)} to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} the king{H4428}, to conduct{H5674} the king{H4428} over{H5674}{(H8687)} Jordan{H3383}.

16 And Shimei{H8096} the son{H1121} of Gera{H1617}, a Benjamite{H1145}, which was of Bahurim{H980}, hasted{H4116}{(H8762)} and came down{H3381}{(H8799)} with the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} king{H4428} David{H1732}.

17 And there were a thousand{H505} men{H376} of Benjamin{H1145} with him, and Ziba{H6717} the servant{H5288} of the house{H1004} of Saul{H7586}, and his fifteen{H2568}{H6240} sons{H1121} and his twenty{H6242} servants{H5650} with him; and they went over{H6743}{(H8804)} Jordan{H3383} before{H6440} the king{H4428}.

18 And there went over{H5674}{(H8804)} a ferry boat{H5679} to carry over{H5674}{(H8687)} the king's{H4428} household{H1004}, and to do{H6213}{(H8800)} what he thought{H5869} good{H2896}. And Shimei{H8096} the son{H1121} of Gera{H1617} fell down{H5307}{(H8804)} before{H6440} the king{H4428}, as he was come over{H5674}{(H8800)} Jordan{H3383};

19 And said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, Let not my lord{H113} impute{H2803}{(H8799)} iniquity{H5771} unto me, neither do thou remember{H2142}{(H8799)} that which thy servant{H5650} did perversely{H5753}{(H8689)} the day{H3117} that my lord{H113} the king{H4428} went out{H3318}{(H8804)} of Jerusalem{H3389}, that the king{H4428} should take{H7760}{(H8800)} it to his heart{H3820}.

20 For thy servant{H5650} doth know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I have sinned{H2398}{(H8804)}: therefore, behold, I am come{H935}{(H8804)} the first{H7223} this day{H3117} of all the house{H1004} of Joseph{H3130} to go down{H3381}{(H8800)} to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} my lord{H113} the king{H4428}.

21 But Abishai{H52} the son{H1121} of Zeruiah{H6870} answered{H6030}{(H8799)} and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Shall not Shimei{H8096} be put to death{H4191}{(H8714)} for this, because he cursed{H7043}{(H8765)} the LORD'S{H3068} anointed{H4899}?

22 And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)}, What have I to do with you, ye sons{H1121} of Zeruiah{H6870}, that ye should this day{H3117} be adversaries{H7854} unto me? shall there any man{H376} be put to death{H4191}{(H8714)} this day{H3117} in Israel{H3478}? for do not I know{H3045}{(H8804)} that I am this day{H3117} king{H4428} over Israel{H3478}?

23 Therefore the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Shimei{H8096}, Thou shalt not die{H4191}{(H8799)}. And the king{H4428} sware{H7650}{(H8735)} unto him.

24 And Mephibosheth{H4648} the son{H1121} of Saul{H7586} came down{H3381}{(H8804)} to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} the king{H4428}, and had neither{H3808} dressed{H6213}{(H8804)} his feet{H7272}, nor trimmed{H6213}{(H8804)} his beard{H8222}, nor washed{H3526}{(H8765)} his clothes{H899}, from the day{H3117} the king{H4428} departed{H3212}{(H8800)} until the day{H3117} he came{H935}{(H8804)} again in peace{H7965}.

25 And it came to pass, when he was come{H935}{(H8804)} to Jerusalem{H3389} to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} the king{H4428}, that the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Wherefore wentest{H1980}{(H8804)} not thou with me, Mephibosheth{H4648}?

26 And he answered{H559}{(H8799)}, My lord{H113}, O king{H4428}, my servant{H5650} deceived{H7411}{(H8765)} me: for thy servant{H5650} said{H559}{(H8804)}, I will saddle{H2280}{(H8799)} me an ass{H2543}, that I may ride{H7392}{(H8799)} thereon, and go{H3212}{(H8799)} to the king{H4428}; because thy servant{H5650} is lame{H6455}.

27 And he hath slandered{H7270}{(H8762)} thy servant{H5650} unto my lord{H113} the king{H4428}; but my lord{H113} the king{H4428} is as an angel{H4397} of God{H430}: do{H6213}{(H8798)} therefore what is good{H2896} in thine eyes{H5869}.

28 For all of my father's{H1} house{H1004} were but{H3808} dead{H4194} men{H582} before my lord{H113} the king{H4428}: yet didst thou set{H7896}{(H8799)} thy servant{H5650} among them that did eat{H398}{(H8802)} at thine own table{H7979}. What right{H6666} therefore have{H3426} I yet to cry{H2199}{(H8800)} any more unto the king{H4428}?

29 And the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Why speakest{H1696}{(H8762)} thou any more of thy matters{H1697}? I have said{H559}{(H8804)}, Thou and Ziba{H6717} divide{H2505}{(H8799)} the land{H7704}.

30 And Mephibosheth{H4648} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, Yea, let him take{H3947}{(H8799)} all, forasmuch{H310} as{H834} my lord{H113} the king{H4428} is come again{H935}{(H8804)} in peace{H7965} unto his own house{H1004}.

31 And Barzillai{H1271} the Gileadite{H1569} came down{H3381}{(H8804)} from Rogelim{H7274}, and went over{H5674}{(H8799)} Jordan{H3383} with the king{H4428}, to conduct{H7971}{(H8763)} him over Jordan{H3383}.

32 Now Barzillai{H1271} was a very{H3966} aged{H2204}{(H8804)} man, even fourscore{H8084} years{H8141} old{H1121}: and he had provided the king{H4428} of sustenance{H3557}{(H8773)} while he lay{H7871} at Mahanaim{H4266}; for he was a very{H3966} great{H1419} man{H376}.

33 And the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Barzillai{H1271}, Come thou over{H5674}{(H8798)} with me, and I will feed{H3557}{(H8773)} thee with me in Jerusalem{H3389}.

34 And Barzillai{H1271} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, How long{H3117} have I to live{H8141}{H2416}, that I should go up{H5927}{(H8799)} with the king{H4428} unto Jerusalem{H3389}?

35 I am this day{H3117} fourscore{H8084} years{H8141} old{H1121}: and can I discern{H3045}{(H8799)} between good{H2896} and evil{H7451}? can thy servant{H5650} taste{H2938}{(H8799)} what{H834} I eat{H398}{(H8799)} or what{H834} I drink{H8354}{(H8799)}? can I hear{H8085}{(H8799)} any more the voice{H6963} of singing men{H7891}{(H8802)} and singing women{H7891}{(H8802)}? wherefore then should thy servant{H5650} be yet a burden{H4853} unto my lord{H113} the king{H4428}?

36 Thy servant{H5650} will go{H5674} a little way{H4592} over{H5674}{(H8799)} Jordan{H3383} with the king{H4428}: and why should the king{H4428} recompense{H1580}{(H8799)} it me with such a reward{H1578}?

37 Let thy servant{H5650}, I pray thee, turn back again{H7725}{(H8799)}, that I may die{H4191}{(H8799)} in mine own city{H5892}, and be buried by the grave{H6913} of my father{H1} and of my mother{H517}. But behold thy servant{H5650} Chimham{H3643}; let him go over{H5674}{(H8799)} with my lord{H113} the king{H4428}; and do{H6213}{(H8798)} to him what shall seem good{H2896}{H5869} unto thee.

38 And the king{H4428} answered{H559}{(H8799)}, Chimham{H3643} shall go{H5674}{(H8799)} over with me, and I will do{H6213}{(H8799)} to him that which shall seem good{H2896}{H5869} unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require{H977}{(H8799)} of me, that will I do{H6213}{(H8799)} for thee.

39 And all the people{H5971} went over{H5674}{(H8799)} Jordan{H3383}. And when the king{H4428} was come over{H5674}{(H8804)}, the king{H4428} kissed{H5401}{(H8799)} Barzillai{H1271}, and blessed{H1288}{(H8762)} him; and he returned{H7725}{(H8799)} unto his own place{H4725}.

40 Then the king{H4428} went on{H5674}{(H8799)} to Gilgal{H1537}, and Chimham{H3643} went on{H5674}{(H8804)} with him: and all the people{H5971} of Judah{H3063} conducted{H5674}{(H8689)}{(H8675)}{H5674}{(H8686)} the king{H4428}, and also half{H2677} the people{H5971} of Israel{H3478}.

41 And, behold, all the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} came{H935}{(H8802)} to the king{H4428}, and said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, Why have our brethren{H251} the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} stolen thee away{H1589}{(H8804)}, and have brought{H5674}{(H8686)} the king{H4428}, and his household{H1004}, and all David's{H1732} men{H582} with him, over Jordan{H3383}?

42 And all the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} answered{H6030}{(H8799)} the men{H376} of Israel{H3478}, Because the king{H4428} is near of kin{H7138} to us: wherefore then be ye angry{H2734}{(H8804)} for this matter{H1697}? have we eaten{H398}{(H8804)} at all{H398}{(H8800)} of the king's{H4428} cost? or hath he given{H5375}{(H8765)} us any gift{H5379}?

43 And the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} answered{H6030}{(H8799)} the men{H376} of Judah{H3063}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, We have ten{H6235} parts{H3027} in the king{H4428}, and we{H589} have also more right in David{H1732} than ye: why then did ye despise{H7043}{(H8689)} us, that our advice{H1697} should not be first{H7223} had in bringing back{H7725}{(H8687)} our king{H4428}? And the words{H1697} of the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} were fiercer{H7185}{(H8799)} than the words{H1697} of the men{H376} of Israel{H3478}.