2 Samuel 19:12
New International Version
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’

New Living Translation
You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?”

English Standard Version
You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’

Berean Standard Bible
You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’

King James Bible
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

New King James Version
You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

New American Standard Bible
You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’

NASB 1995
‘You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’

NASB 1977
‘You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’

Legacy Standard Bible
You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to have the king return?’

Amplified Bible
You are my brothers (relatives, relations); you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

Christian Standard Bible
You are my brothers, my flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are my brothers, my flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’

American Standard Version
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

Contemporary English Version
He is your brother, your own relative! Why haven't you done anything to bring him back?"

English Revised Version
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to bring back the king?'

Good News Translation
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood; why should you be the last to bring me back?"

International Standard Version
You're my relatives! You're my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last to bring back the king?'

Majority Standard Bible
You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king??

NET Bible
You are my brothers--my very own flesh and blood! Why should you delay any further in bringing the king back?'

New Heart English Bible
You are my brothers, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: why then are ye the last to bring back the king?

World English Bible
You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you [are] my brothers, you [are] my bone and my flesh, and why are you last to bring back the king?

Young's Literal Translation
my brethren ye are, my bone and my flesh ye are, and why are ye last to bring back the king?

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye my brethren; my bone and flesh are ye: and wherefore will ye be last to turn back the king?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You are my brethren, you are my bone, and my flesh, why are you the last to bring back the king?

Catholic Public Domain Version
You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why are you the last to lead back the king?’

New American Bible
You are my brothers, you are my bone and flesh. Why should you be last to restore the king?’

New Revised Standard Version
You are my kin, you are my bone and my flesh; why then should you be the last to bring back the king?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the king said to them, You are my brethren and my flesh and my bones, why then are you the last to return to the king?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to them: “You are my brethren and my flesh and my bones. Why are you last to return yourselves with the King to his house? And the word of all Israel came to the King
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh; wherefore then should ye be the last to bring back the king?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: why are ye the last to bring back the king to his house?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Restored as King
11Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ 13And say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God punish me, and ever so severely, if from this time you are not the commander of my army in place of Joab!’ ”…

Cross References
Genesis 29:14
Then Laban declared, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him a month,

Judges 9:2
“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”

1 Chronicles 11:1
Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

2 Samuel 5:1
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

1 Samuel 18:1-3
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Samuel 16:12-13
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 22:1-2
So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. / And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

1 Samuel 30:26
When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

2 Samuel 3:17-18
Now Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “In the past you sought David as your king. / Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’”

2 Samuel 15:13-14
Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” / And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Samuel 17:25
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

2 Samuel 18:5
Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

1 Kings 12:16
When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,

1 Chronicles 12:18
Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.

Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”


Treasury of Scripture

You are my brothers, you are my bones and my flesh: why then are you the last to bring back the king?

my bones

2 Samuel 5:1
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.

Genesis 2:23
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Judges 9:2
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

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Blood Bone Bones Flesh Kinsmen Last Wherefore
2 Samuel 19
1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them














You are my brothers
This phrase emphasizes the familial bond and unity among the Israelites. In Hebrew, the word for "brothers" is "אַחַי" (achai), which signifies not only biological kinship but also a deep sense of community and shared identity. David is appealing to the tribes of Israel, reminding them of their shared heritage and covenant under God. This call to unity is a reminder of the importance of reconciliation and the strength found in familial bonds, both in ancient Israel and in the Christian community today.

my own flesh and blood
The Hebrew phrase "בְּשָׂרִי וּבְשָׂרְכֶם" (besari u-besarchem) literally translates to "my bone and my flesh," a common expression in the Old Testament to denote close kinship. This phrase underscores the intimate connection and mutual responsibility among the people of Israel. In a broader theological context, it reflects the Christian understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ, where believers are interconnected and called to support one another.

So why should you be the last
Here, David is questioning the delay of the tribes in bringing him back as king. The rhetorical question serves to provoke thought and action among the Israelites. Historically, this reflects the political tension and division following Absalom's rebellion. Spiritually, it challenges believers to examine their own hesitance in responding to God's call and to act promptly in restoring relationships and fulfilling their divine purpose.

to restore the king
The Hebrew verb "לְהָשִׁיב" (lehashiv) means "to bring back" or "to restore." This action of restoration is central to the narrative, symbolizing not only the physical return of David to the throne but also the spiritual restoration of Israel under God's chosen leader. In a Christian context, it echoes the theme of redemption and the restoration of God's kingdom through Christ. Believers are reminded of their role in participating in God's restorative work in the world, bringing healing and reconciliation wherever there is division or strife.

(12) My bones and my flesh.--More exactly, bone, as in 2Samuel 19:13 and 2Samuel 5:1. Of course the tribe of Judah, from which David sprung, was more closely connected with him by blood than any other; but the point likely to influence them was that the king recognised this relationship.

Verse 12. - My bones; Hebrew, my bone and my flesh, so nearly related as to be part of my own self (Genesis 2:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You
אַתֶּ֔ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are my brothers,
אַחַ֣י (’a·ḥay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

my own flesh
וּבְשָׂרִ֖י (ū·ḇə·śā·rî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

and blood.
עַצְמִ֥י (‘aṣ·mî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

So why
וְלָ֧מָּה (wə·lām·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

should you
אַתֶּ֑ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

be
תִהְי֛וּ (ṯih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the last
אַחֲרֹנִ֖ים (’a·ḥă·rō·nîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 314: Hinder, late, last, western

to restore
לְהָשִׁ֥יב (lə·hā·šîḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the king?’
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:12 You are my brothers you are my (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 19:11
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