2 Samuel 19

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Now it was reported to Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for his son.	1 The king shuddered. He went up to the room over the gate and burst into tears; and, as he wept, hekept saying, 'Oh, my son Absalom! My son! My son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! Oh, Absalom myson, my son!'
2 And so the victory on that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said on that day, “The king is grieving over his son.”	2 Word was brought to Joab, 'The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.'
3 And the people declined to enter the city on that day, in the manner that the people were accustomed to decline if they had turned and fled from battle.	3 And for the entire army that day, victory was turned to mourning, the troops having learnt that the kingwas grieving for his son.
4 And the king covered his head, and he was crying out in a great voice: “My son, Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”	4 And that day the troops came furtively back into town, like troops creeping shamefacedly away whendeserting in battle.
5 Therefore, Joab, entering to the king in the house, said: “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants, who saved your life, and the lives of your sons and your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines.	5 The king had covered his face and kept crying aloud, 'My son Absalom! Oh, Absalom my son, myson!'
6 You love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. And you have revealed this day that you have no concern for your leaders and for your servants. And truly, I know now that if Absalom had lived, and if we all had been killed, then it would have pleased you.	6 Joab went inside to the king and said, 'Today you have made al your servants feel ashamed-today,when they have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives ofyour concubines!-because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you.
7 Now then, rise up and go out, and speak so as to make amends to your servants. For I swear to you by the Lord that if you will not go forth, not even one person will be left with you this night. And this will be worse for you than all the evils that have come to you, from your youth even to the present.”	7 Today you have made it plain that commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you -- for today I cansee that you would be content if we were all dead, provided that Absalom was alive!
8 Therefore, the king rose up, and he sat at the gate. And it was announced to all the people that the king was sitting at the gate. And the entire multitude went before the king. But Israel fled to their own tents.	8 Now get up, come out and reassure your soldiers; for if you do not come out, I swear by Yahweh, notone man wil stay with you tonight; and this will be a worse misfortune for you than anything that has happenedto you from your youth until now!'
9 And all the people were conflicted, in all the tribes of Israel, saying: “The king has freed us from the hand of our enemies. He himself saved us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he flees from the land for the sake of Absalom.	9 The king got up and took his seat at the gate. An announcement was made to the whole army: 'Theking is sitting at the gate.' And the whole army assembled in front of the king.
10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in the war. How long will you be silent, and not lead back the king?”	10 Israel had fled, dispersing to their homes. Throughout the tribes of Israel al was dissension and people began saying, 'The king, having freed us from the clutches of our enemies, having saved us from theclutches of the Philistines, has himself had to flee the country to escape from Absalom;
11 Then truly, king David sent to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, saying: “Speak to those greater by birth of Judah, saying: ‘Why have you arrived last to lead back the king into his house? (For the talk in all of Israel had reached the king in his house.)	11 and now Absalom, whom we had anointed to reign over us, has died in battle. Why does no onesuggest that the king should be brought back?'What was being said throughout Israel reached the king.
12 You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why are you the last to lead back the king?’	12 King David then sent word to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, 'Say to the elders of Judah, "Whyshould you be the last to bring the king home?
13 And say to Amasa: ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? May God do these things, and may he add these other things, if you will not be the leader of the military in my sight, for all time, in the place of Joab.’ ”	13 You are my brothers, you are my own flesh and bone: why should you be the last to bring the kingback?"
14 And he inclined the heart of all the men of Judah, as if one man. And they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”	14 And say to Amasa, "Are you not my own flesh and bone? May God bring unnameable il s on me andworse il s, too, if you do not become my permanent army commander instead of Joab!" '
15 And the king returned. And he went as far as the Jordan, and all of Judah went as far as Gilgal, so as to meet the king, and to lead him across the Jordan.	15 Thus he rallied the hearts of the men of Judah to a man and, as a result, they sent word to the king,'Come back, you and al who serve you.'
16 And Shimei, the son of Gera, the son of Benjamin, from Bahurim, hurried and descended with the men of Judah to meet king David,	16 So the king started home and reached the Jordan. Judah, coming to meet the king to escort himacross the Jordan, had arrived at Gilgal.
17 with one thousand men from Benjamin, and with Ziba, the servant from the house of Saul. And with him were his fifteen sons and twenty servants. And going into the Jordan,	17 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite of Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet KingDavid.
18 they crossed the fords before the king, so that they might lead across the house of the king, and might act in accord with his order. Then, Shimei, the son of Gera, prostrating himself before the king after he had now gone across the Jordan,	18 With him were a thousand men from Benjamin. Ziba, servant of the House of Saul, with his fifteensons and twenty servants, arrived at the Jordan before the king
19 said to him: “May you not impute to me, my lord, the iniquity, nor call to mind the injuries, of your servant in the day that you, my lord the king, departed from Jerusalem. And may you not store it up in your heart, O king.	19 and worked manful y ferrying the king's family across and doing whatever he required. While the kingwas crossing the Jordan, Shimei son of Gera fel at the king's feet
20 For as your servant, I acknowledge my sin. And for this reason, today, I arrive as the first from all the house of Joseph, and I descend to meet my lord the king.”	20 and said to the king, 'I hope my lord does not regard me as guilty of a crime! Forget about the wrongyour servant did on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Let my lord not hold my guilt against me.
21 Yet truly, Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, responding, said, “Should not Shimei, because of these words, be killed, since he cursed the Christ of the Lord?”	21 For your servant is aware of having sinned, and that is why I have come today -- the first member ofthe whole House of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.'
22 And David said: “What is it to me and to all of you, O sons of Zeruiah? Why are you acting toward me this day like Satan? Why should any man be put to death on this day in Israel? Or do you not know that today I have been made king over Israel?”	22 At this, Abishai son of Zeruiah spoke up and said, 'Does Shimei not deserve death for having cursedYahweh's anointed?'
23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And he swore to him.	23 To which David replied, 'What concern is my business to you, sons of Zeruiah, that you shouldoppose my wishes today? Could anyone be put to death in Israel today? Today I know for sure that I am king ofIsrael?'
24 And Mephibosheth, the son of Saul, descended to meet the king, with unwashed his feet and uncut beard. And he had not washed his garments from the day that the king had departed, until the day of his return in peace.	24 'Your life is spared,' the king said. And the king gave him his oath.
25 And when he had met the king at Jerusalem, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”	25 Meribbaal son of Saul also went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or hands, hehad not trimmed his moustache or washed his clothes from the day of the king's departure til the day of hispeaceful return.
26 And in response, he said: “My lord the king, my servant spurned me. And I, your servant, spoke to him so that he might saddle a donkey for me, and I might climb upon it and go with the king. For I, your servant, am lame.	26 When he arrived from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king asked him, 'Why did you not come withme, Meribbaal?'
27 Moreover, he also accused me, your servant, to you, my lord the king. But you, my lord the king, are like an Angel of God. Do whatever is pleasing to you.	27 'My lord king,' he replied, 'my retainer deceived me. Your servant said to him, "Saddle the donkey forme to ride, so that I can go with the king," your servant being lame.
28 For my father’s house was deserving of nothing but death before my lord the king. Yet you have placed me, your servant, among the guests of your table. Therefore, what just complaint might I have? Or what else can I cry out to the king?”	28 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king, however, is like the Angel ofGod, so do as you think right.
29 Then the king said to him: “Why are you still speaking? What I have spoken is fixed. You and Ziba shall divide the possessions.”	29 My father's entire family deserved no better than death from my lord the king, and yet you admittedyour servant to the ranks of those who eat at your table. What right have I to make any further appeal to theking?'
30 And Mephibosheth responded to the king, “But now let him take it all, since my lord the king has been returned peacefully into his own house.”	30 The king said, 'You need say no more. I rule that you and Ziba divide the property between you.'
31 Likewise, Barzillai the Gileadite, descending from Rogelim, led the king across the Jordan, having prepared also to follow him beyond the river.	31 'Let him take it al ,' Meribbaal said to the king, 'since my lord the king has come back home in peace!'
32 Now Barzillai the Gileadite was very old, that is, eighty years old. And he provided the king with sustenance when he was staying at the encampment. For indeed, he was an exceedingly rich man.	32 Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king towards the Jordan,intending to take leave of him at the Jordan.
33 And so the king said to Barzillai, “Come with me, so that you may rest securely with me in Jerusalem.”	33 Barzillai was a man of great age; he was eighty years old. He had kept the king in provisions duringhis stay at Mahanaim, being a very wealthy man.
34 And Barzillai said to the king: “How many days remain in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?	34 'Come with me', the king said to Barzil ai, 'and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.'
35 Today I am eighty years old. Are my senses quick to discern sweet and bitter? Or is food and drink able to delight your servant? Or can I still hear the voice of men and women singers? Why should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?	35 Barzillai replied to the king, 'How many years have I left to live, for me to go up to Jerusalem with theking?
36 I, your servant, shall procede a little ways from the Jordan with you. I am not in need of this recompense.	36 I am now eighty years old; can I tel the good from the bad? Has your servant any taste for his foodand drink? Can I stil hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be a further burdento my lord the king?
37 But I beg you that I, your servant, may be returned and may die in my own city, and may be buried beside the sepulcher of my father and my mother. But there is your servant Chimham; let him go with you, my lord the king. And do for him whatever seems good to you.”	37 Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king; but why should the king reward meso generously for that?
38 And so the king said to him: “Let Chimham cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever will be pleasing to you. And all that you ask of me, you shall obtain.”	38 Please allow your servant to go home again, so that I can die in my own town near the grave of myfather and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go with my lord the king; treat him as you thinkright.'
39 And when the entire people and the king had crossed over the Jordan, the king kissed Barzillai, and he blessed him. And he returned to his own place.	39 The king said, 'Let Chimham come along with me then; I shall do whatever you wish for him, andanything you request I shal do for your sake.'
40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. Now all the people of Judah had led the king across, but only as much as one half part of the people of Israel were there.	40 The people then al crossed the Jordan, and the king, having crossed, kissed Barzil ai and blessedhim, and the latter went home.
41 And so, all the men of Israel, running to the king, said to him: “Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away. And why have they led the king and his house across the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?”	41 The king went on to Gilgal and Chimham went with him. Al the people of Judah accompanied theking, and also half the people of Israel.
42 And all the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel: “Because the king is nearer to me. Why are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten anything belonging to the king, or have any gifts been given to us?”	42 Al the men of Israel then came to the king. 'Why', they asked the king, 'have our brothers, the men ofJudah, carried you off and brought the king and his family across the Jordan, and al David's men with him?'
43 And the men of Israel responded to the men of Judah, and said: “I have the greater amount, ten parts, with the king, and so David belongs to me more so than to you. Why have you caused me injury, and why was it not announced to me first, so that I might lead back my king?” But the men of Judah answered more firmly than the men of Israel.	43 Al the men of Judah retorted to the men of Israel, 'Because the king is more closely related to us.Why do you take offence at this? Have we been eating at the king's expense? Have we taken any position forourselves?'
	44 The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah, 'We have ten shares in the king and, what is more, weare your elder brothers, so why have you slighted us? Were we not the first to suggest bringing back our king?'The men of Judah's words were even more intemperate than those of the men of Israel.