2 Samuel 19

All 43 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1Joab was informed, 'The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.'
2. 2The victory that day turned into mourning for all the people, because they heard that the king was grieving for his son.
3. 3The people quietly entered the city that day, like those who sneak away in shame after fleeing from battle.
4. 4The king covered his face and cried out loudly, 'O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!'
5. 5Joab went into the house to the king and said, "Today you have shamed all your servants who saved your life, and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and concubines."
6. 6You love your enemies and hate your friends. Today, you've shown that you don't care about your commanders or soldiers. I see that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, you would be pleased.
7. 7Now get up, go out, and encourage your men. I swear by the LORD, if you don't go out, not a single one will stay with you tonight, and that will be worse for you than all the troubles you've faced since your youth.
8. 8So the king got up and sat at the city gate. When it was announced to all the people that the king was sitting in the gate, everyone came before him, for the Israelites had fled, each man to his tent.
9. 9Throughout all the tribes of Israel, the people were in conflict, saying, 'The king saved us from our enemies and delivered us from the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom.'
10. 10And Absalom, whom we anointed as our king, is dead in battle. So why isn't anyone talking about bringing the king back?
11. 11King David sent a message to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, saying, 'Speak to the elders of Judah and ask them, "Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? The message from all Israel has already reached the king, even to his house."'
12. 12You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why are you the last to bring back the king?
13. 13And say to Amasa, 'Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not made commander of the army before me continually, in place of Joab.'
14. 14He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah, as if they were one person, and they sent this message to the king: 'Return, you and all your servants.'
15. 15So the king returned and came to the Jordan River. The men of Judah went to Gilgal to meet the king and escort him across the Jordan.
16. 16Shimei, the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17. 17A thousand men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, along with Ziba, the servant of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They crossed the Jordan ahead of the king.
18. 18A ferryboat went over to bring the king's household across and to do whatever he thought best. As the king was crossing the Jordan, Shimei son of Gera fell down before him.
19. 19He said to the king, "Please do not hold my sin against me, my lord, or remember the wrong I did on the day you left Jerusalem. Please do not take it to heart."
20. 20I know that I have sinned. That's why I am the first from the house of Joseph to come down today to meet my lord the king.
21. 21But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, spoke up and said, 'Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?'
22. 22David said, "What do I have to do with you, sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don't I know that I am king over Israel today?"
23. 23Then the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." And the king swore an oath to him.
24. 24Mephibosheth, the son of Saul, also came down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned in peace.
25. 25When he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, 'Why didn't you come with me, Mephibosheth?'
26. 26He answered, "My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. I told him, 'Saddle a donkey for me so I can ride it and go to the king,' because your servant is lame."
27. 27He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is right.
28. 28For all of my father's house were as good as dead before my lord the king, yet you placed your servant among those who eat at your own table. What right do I have to ask the king for anything more?
29. 29The king said to him, "Why talk more about your matters? I've decided that you and Ziba will divide the land."
30. 30Mephibosheth replied, "Let him have it all. I'm just glad my lord the king has come home safely."
31. 31Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king to accompany him across the river.
32. 32Barzillai was a very old man, 80 years old. He had provided for the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.
33. 33The king said to Barzillai, 'Come with me, and I will provide for you in Jerusalem.'
34. 34But Barzillai replied to the king, "How much longer do I have to live, that I should go with the king to Jerusalem?"
35. 35I am 80 years old today. Can I still tell the difference between good and evil? Can I taste what I eat or drink? Can I hear the voices of singing men and women? Why should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
36. 36Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king reward me with such a gift?
37. 37Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city and be buried by the grave of my father and my mother. But look, your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do to him whatever seems good to you.
38. 38The king replied, 'Chimham will come with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. And whatever else you ask of me, I will do for you.'
39. 39All the people crossed the Jordan, and when the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his own place.
40. 40The king continued on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah escorted the king, along with half the people of Israel.
41. 41Then all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, 'Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, taken you away and brought the king, his household, and all of David's men across the Jordan?'
42. 42The men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, 'Because the king is closely related to us. Why are you upset about this? Have we eaten anything at the king's expense, or has he given us any gifts?'
43. 43The men of Israel shot back, "We have 10 shares in the king to your one — we have a greater claim on David than you do! So why did you treat us with such contempt? Weren't we the first to talk about bringing the king back?" But the men of Judah responded even more harshly than the men of Israel.