1Joab was told, "Look, the king is weeping and grieving over Absalom."
2That day's victory turned into mourning for all the people, because everyone heard it said that day, "The king is sad about his son."
3That day, the people secretly crept back into the city, like people who are ashamed sneak away after fleeing in battle.
4The king covered his face and cried out loudly, "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!"
5Joab came to the king in the house and said, "Today you have shamed all your servants who today saved your life, and the lives of your sons and daughters, and your wives, and your concubines.
6You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For today you have made it clear that princes and servants mean nothing to you. Today I realize that if Absalom had lived, and all of us had died today, you would have been pleased.
7Now get up, go out, and speak encouragingly to your servants. For I swear by Yahweh, if you don't go out, not a single man will stay with you tonight. That would be worse for you than all the trouble that has ever happened to you since you were young."
8So the king got up and sat in the city gate. When everyone was told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate," all the people came before the king. Meanwhile, every man of Israel had fled to his tent.
9All the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, saying, "The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines. But now he has fled the land because of Absalom.
10Absalom, whom we appointed over us, is dead in battle. So why aren't you saying anything about bringing the king back?"
11King David sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah and ask, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? The whole discussion in Israel now is about returning him to his house.
12You are my relatives. You are my own flesh and blood. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'
13Also tell Amasa, 'Aren't you my own flesh and blood? May God punish me severely if you aren't the commander of the army before me continually, instead of Joab!'"
14He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah, as if they were one person. So they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."
15So the king returned and came to the Jordan River. Judah went to Gilgal to meet the king and help him cross the Jordan.
16Shimei, Gera's son, a Benjamite from Bahurim, rushed down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17He had a thousand men of Benjamin with him, along with Ziba, a servant from Saul’s household, and Ziba's fifteen sons and twenty servants. They crossed the Jordan River in front of the king.
18A ferry boat came to transport the king's household and to do whatever the king wanted. Shimei, Gera's son, bowed down before the king after he had crossed the Jordan.
19He said to the king, “My lord, please don't hold my sin against me or remember the wrong your servant did the day you, my lord and king, left Jerusalem. Please don't take it to heart.
20I, your servant, know that I have sinned. That's why I am the first person from the entire house of Joseph to come down today to meet you, my lord and king.”
21But Abishai, Zeruiah's son, asked, “Shouldn't Shimei be executed for this, since he cursed Yahweh's chosen king?”
22David replied, “What do I have to do with you, sons of Zeruiah, that you oppose me today? Should anyone in Israel be put to death today? Don't I know that I am king over Israel today?”
23The king told Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore an oath to him.
24Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, came down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
25When he arrived in Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn't you go with me?”
26He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant tricked me. Your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey and ride on it to go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.
27He has slandered your servant to you, my lord and king, but you, my lord and king, are like an angel of God. So do whatever you think is right.
28For all my father's family were doomed men before you, my lord and king, yet you allowed your servant to eat at your own table. What right do I have to complain to the king any further?”
29The king said to him, “Why do you keep talking about these matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”
30Mephibosheth replied to the king, “Yes, let him take everything, since you, my lord and king, have returned safely to your own home.”
31Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and crossed the Jordan with the king to escort him across the Jordan.
32Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had provided the king with food and supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man.
33The king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will take care of you in Jerusalem.”
34Barzillai said to the king, “How many years do I have left to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35I am eighty years old today. Can I tell the difference between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or drink? Can I still hear the voices of singing men and women? So why should your servant be a burden to you, my lord and king?
36Your servant only wanted to cross the Jordan River with the king. Why should the king give me such a reward?
37Please let your servant go back so I can die in my own city, near the graves of my father and mother. But look, here is your servant Chimham; let him go with my lord the king, and do whatever seems good to you for him.”
38The king answered, “Chimham will go with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. Whatever you ask of me, I will do for you.”
39All the people crossed the Jordan River, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.
40So the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah brought the king across, and also half the people of Israel.
41Then all the men of Israel came to the king and asked him, “Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, secretly taken you away and brought the king, his household, and all David’s men with him across the Jordan?”
42All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gifts?”
43The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten times more claim to the king, and also more claim to David than you. So why did you disrespect us and not let us be the first to advise on bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.