2 Samuel 19:21-43 ▼

21 But Abishai (my father is a gift) son of Zeruiah (balsam) said, “Shouldn’t Shimei (renowned) be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s {YHWH} anointed?”

22 And David (beloved) replied, “Sons of Zeruiah (balsam), what have I to do with you⁺, that you⁺ should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel (he wrestles with God) today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”

23 So the king said to Shimei (renowned), “You shall not die.” And the king swore an oath to him.

24 Then Mephibosheth (exterminating the idol), Saul’s (desired) grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.

25 And he came from Jerusalem (city of peace) to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth (exterminating the idol), why did you not go with me?”

26 “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled [Saddle a donkey for me] so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me,

27 and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel (Angel) of God {Elohim}, so do what is good in your eyes.

28 For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”

29 The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba (statue) are to divide the land.”

30 And Mephibosheth (exterminating the idol) said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”

31 Now Barzillai (my iron) the Gileadite (rocky region) had come down from Rogelim (place of fullers) to cross the Jordan (flowing down) with the king and send him on his way from there.

32 Barzillai (my iron) was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim (two camps).

33 The king said to Barzillai (my iron), “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem (city of peace).”

34 But Barzillai (my iron) replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem (city of peace) with the king?

35 I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden (burden) to my lord the king?

36 Your servant will go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan (flowing down); why should the king repay me with such a reward?

37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham (their longing). Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”

38 The king replied, “Chimham (their longing) will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan (flowing down), and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai (my iron) and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.

40 Then the king crossed over to Gilgal (a wheel), and Chimham (their longing) crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah (praised) and half the troops of Israel (he wrestles with God) escorted the king.

41 Soon all the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah (praised), take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan (flowing down), together with all of David’s (beloved) men?”

42 And all the men of Judah (praised) replied to the men of Israel (he wrestles with God), “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?”

43 “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) (praised), “so we have more claim to David (beloved) than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.