2 Samuel 19

And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.

Joab was informed, "Look, the king is deeply grieving and shedding tears for Absalom."

And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

That day, triumph turned into sorrow for everyone. They learned that the king was heartbroken over the loss of his son.

And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

That day, the people snuck into the city, their actions mirroring the guilt-ridden retreat of defeated soldiers fleeing from battle.

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Overwhelmed with grief, the king hid his face, his voice echoing with sorrow, "Oh, my dear son Absalom, my child, my child!"

And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;

Joab entered the king's presence, his voice heavy with disappointment. "Today, you've embarrassed us all, your loyal servants. We risked our lives for you, for your children, your wives, and your mistresses. Yet, you've shamed us."

In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.

You love your enemies and despise your friends. You've shown today that your commanders and your soldiers mean nothing to you. I see now, if Absalom had survived and we all had perished, you would have been happy.

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

Stand up, step out, and speak kindly to your people. I promise you, if you don't, you'll be alone tonight, and that loneliness will hurt more than any hardship you've faced since you were young.

Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

With a heavy heart, the king rose and took his seat at the city gate. The news spread like wildfire among the people - "The king is at the gate!" One by one, they gathered before him, for every man of Israel had retreated to his home in fear.

And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

Every tribe in Israel was in turmoil, saying, "Our king rescued us from our foes, even the Philistines. But now, he's fled our land due to Absalom."

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

Our chosen leader, Absalom, has tragically fallen in battle. Why are we silent about returning our king to his rightful place?

And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.

King David, feeling frustrated, sent a message to priests Zadok and Abiathar. He asked them to question the elders of Judah, "Why are you the last to welcome the king back home? Everyone else in Israel has already expressed their support."

Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

You are my family, my own flesh and blood. Why then, are you the last ones to welcome back our king?

And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.

Ask Amasa, aren't we family, sharing the same blood and flesh? May God punish me severely, even more than I can imagine, if you're not always leading my army, replacing Joab.

And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

He united the hearts of all Judah's men, as if they shared one heart. They pleaded with the king, "Please, return, you and all your servants."

So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.

With a heavy heart, the king journeyed back, reaching the banks of Jordan. Meanwhile, Judah, filled with anticipation, arrived at Gilgal, eager to guide the king across the river Jordan.

And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

Shimei, Gera's son from Bahurim, a Benjamite, quickly joined the men of Judah. Filled with anticipation, they rushed to greet King David.

And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.

A thousand brave men from Benjamin, along with Ziba - a loyal servant from Saul's household, his fifteen sons, and twenty other servants, courageously crossed the Jordan, leading the way for the king.

And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;

A ferry boat was sent to transport the king's family, following his orders. As they crossed the Jordan, Shimei, Gera's son, humbly knelt before the king.

And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

The speaker pleaded with the king, "Please, my lord, don't hold my past mistakes against me. Don't dwell on the wrong I did when you left Jerusalem. Please, don't let it weigh on your heart."

For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

I know I've messed up, that's why I'm the first one from all the house of Joseph to come and face you today, my king.

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?

Abishai, Zeruiah's son, responded passionately, "Shouldn't Shimei face death for his actions, since he dared to curse the one chosen by God?"

And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

David asked, "Why are you, Zeruiah's sons, opposing me today? Will anyone in Israel be killed today? Don't I know that I am the king of Israel today?"

Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

So, the king assured Shimei, saying, "You will not die." And he made a solemn promise to him.

And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

Mephibosheth, Saul's son, went to greet the king. Since the king left, he hadn't cared for his appearance or cleanliness, not even washing his clothes. His emotions were raw and visible until the king returned safely.

And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?

When he finally arrived in Jerusalem to see the king, the king asked him, "Mephibosheth, why didn't you come with me?"

And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.

He responded, "My lord, the king, my servant tricked me. Because I can't walk, I said, 'I'll have a donkey saddled so I can ride it and go to the king.' But he deceived me.

And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.

He has spread lies about me to you, my king. But you, my king, are like a divine angel. So, please, do what you believe is right.

For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?

Everyone in my family was as good as dead in the king's eyes, yet he allowed me, his servant, to dine at his table. So, what reason do I have left to complain to the king?

And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.

The king, with a tone of finality, asked him, "Why do you keep discussing this? I've already decided - you and Ziba will share the land."

And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

Mephibosheth told the king, "Yes, let him have everything, because my lord, the king, has returned home safely."

And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

Barzillai, a man from Gilead, journeyed from Rogelim, crossing the Jordan River with the king, guiding him across with a sense of duty and respect.

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

Barzillai was an elderly man, 80 years old, and very wealthy, and he had generously supported the king during his stay at Mahanaim.

And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.

With a warm smile, the king invited Barzillai, "Come across with me, my friend, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem."

And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?

Barzillai asked the king, "What time do I have left to journey with you to Jerusalem?"

I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

I am eighty years old now. Can I still tell what is pleasant from what is not? Can I truly savor my food and drink? Can I still enjoy the melody of men and women singing? Why then, should I continue to be a burden to you, my king?

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

I, your humble servant, will follow you a short distance across the Jordan, my king. But why would you repay me with such a grand gift?

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

Please, let me return home to die in my beloved city, near my parents' resting place. But take Chimham with you, my lord, and treat him as you see fit.

And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.

The king replied with conviction, "Chimham will accompany me. I promise to treat him as you would want and fulfill any request you make of me."

And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.

Everyone crossed the Jordan River. Once the king also crossed, he warmly embraced Barzillai, offering him blessings. After this heartfelt farewell, Barzillai went back to his home.

Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

The king journeyed to Gilgal, with Chimham by his side. The people of Judah, along with half of Israel's population, escorted their king with great respect and loyalty.

And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?

In a surge of emotion, every man from Israel approached the king. They asked, "Why have our brothers from Judah taken you, the king, along with your family and all of David's men, across the Jordan without our knowledge?"

And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?

The men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, "The king is our close relative, why are you upset about this? Have we taken anything from the king or received any gifts from him?"

And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

The Israelites responded to the Judeans, saying, "We have a stronger claim on the king and David than you do. Why did you ignore us when deciding to bring back our king?" Their words were met with even harsher words from the Judeans.