David Returns to Jerusalem

The king rose and sat in the gate, and the people came before him. All through Israel, people were arguing that David had once rescued them, and now Absalom was dead, so why had no one brought the king back? David sent the priests Zadok and Abiathar to the elders of Judah.

He reminded them that they were his own people, and he also promised Amasa command of the army in place of Joab. Then the men of Judah answered together and asked the king to return with all his servants. David came back as far as the Jordan.

At the Jordan, Shimei son of Gera hurried down from Bahurim with the men of Judah. A thousand men from Benjamin were with him, and Ziba came too with his sons and servants. Shimei fell before the king and admitted that he had sinned when David left Jerusalem. Abishai wanted him put to death for cursing the Lord's anointed king, but David refused. He said this was not a day for executions in Israel. Then David told Shimei that he would not die, and he swore it to him.

Mephibosheth, Saul's son, also came to meet David. From the day David left until the day he returned in peace, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, beard, or clothes. When David asked why he had not gone with him, Mephibosheth said that his servant had deceived him. Because he was lame, he had planned to ride with the king, but his servant had slandered him instead.

David ended the dispute by saying that Mephibosheth and Ziba should divide the land. Mephibosheth answered that Ziba could even take it all, since the king had come home safely.

Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim to go over the Jordan with the king. He was eighty years old and had provided food for David while he stayed at Mahanaim. David invited him to come to Jerusalem and be cared for there, but Barzillai said he was too old and did not want to be a burden. Instead, he asked that Chimham go with the king. David agreed. After the people crossed, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his own place.

Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel. But the return did not end every problem. The men of Israel came to the king and complained that Judah had taken him away and brought him back without them.

The men of Judah answered that the king was their close relative and that they had gained no reward from this. The men of Israel replied that they had a strong claim in the king too, and the argument became fierce.