9 Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our aenemies, he delivered us from the hand of the bPhilistines, and now he has cfled from the land because of Absalom.
10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”
11 So King David sent to aZadok and 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 words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house?
12 You are my brethren, you areamy bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
13aAnd say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? bGod do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me1 continually in place of Joab.’ ”
14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, ajust as theheartof one man, so that they sent thisword to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”
15 Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to aGilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king bacross the Jordan.
16 And aShimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17Therewere a thousand men of aBenjamin with him, and bZiba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king.
Speak unto the elders of Judah - David was afraid to fall out with this tribe: they were in possession of Jerusalem, and this was a city of great importance to him. They had joined Absalom in his rebellion; and doubtless were now ashamed of their conduct. David appears to take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in him might be naturally excited: and, to oblige them yet farther, purposes to make Amasa captain of the host in the place of Joab.
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