2 Samuel 17


Ahithophel gives advice to Absalom. Hushai also gives his advice to Absalom.


Ahithophel talked to Absalom. He wanted to choose 12,000 soldiers. Then they would go and chase David.  David would be tired and weak. He would be afraid. The people with him would run away.  Ahithophel said he would kill David only.
[1] Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
[2] And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:


Ahithophel said that if David was dead, the other Israelites would not fight. They would live in peace.
[3] And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace.


Absalom and the other leaders were happy about this.
[4] And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.


Absalom wanted to talk to Husahi. He wanted Hushai's opinion, too.
[5] Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he saith.


Absalom told Hushai about Ahithophel's suggestion. He asked Husahi what he thought about it.
[6] And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou.


Hushai said that he didn't think Ahithophel's advice was good advice.
[7] And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.


Hushai said Absalom knows about David and his soldiers. They are men who know how to fight in wars. David's men are mad now. There are mad like a mother bear when someone steals her babies.  Also, David has fought many wars. He will not sleep near the people.
[8] For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

Hushai said that David will be sleeping in a cave or another place.  If some of Absalom's men get killed,  the people in Jerusalem will hear about it. They will panic and think that Absalom's army will lose.  Even the brave people will be afraid then. They will be afraid because they know that David and his men are great soldiers.
[9] Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
[10] And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.
 

Hushai suggested that Absalom should gather a big army and lead them in battle (Ahithophel had suggested that Absalom stay home and let a small army find David).  Hushai said that Absalom should get soldiers from all parts of Jerusalem. He should have as many soldiers as there is sand by the sea.
[11] Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
 

Hushai said that Absalom and his big army will then find David. They will fall on him like dew falls on the ground. Absalom's army will defeat all of David's men. There will be none left. He said if David is hiding in a city, then all of the Israelites will get ropes and pull the city into the river. The city will be gone. There will not be even one small rock left.
[12] So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one.
[13] Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.


Abasalom and his men thought Hushai's suggestion was better than Ahithophel's suggestion. God planned for bad things to happen to Absalom. God caused him to take Hushai's advice instead of Ahithophel's advice.
[14] And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
 

Hushai sends a message to David. He tells David about Absalom's plans.

Hushai told the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, about Ahithophel's advice. He also told him about his advice.  He wanted the priests to send a message to David. They should tell David to keep moving. He should not stop to sleep in the wilderness. He should hurry and pass over the Jordan River. If he doesn't, David and the people with him will be destroyed.
[15] Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
[16] Now therefore send quickly, and tell David, saying, Lodge not this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily pass over; lest the king be swallowed up, and all the people that are with him.

 

The priests' sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, were close to Jerusalem. They were in the place named En-rogel.  They didn't want anyone to see them in Jerusalem. A woman gave them the message from Zadok and Abiathar. They would take the message to David.
[17] Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by En-rogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.


But a boy saw Jonathan and Ahimaaz. He told Absalom about them. They both escaped and went to a man's house in Bahurim.  The man's house had a well. Jonathan and Ahimaaz hid in the well.
[18] Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man's house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court; whither they went down.


A woman hid the well. She spread a covering over the well and put corn on it. No one could see the well.
[19] And the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known.


Absalom's workers asked the woman about Ahimaaz and Jonathan. She said they escaped and went over the brook or creek. Absalom's workers looked but they didn't find them. Then Absalom's workers went back to Jerusalem.
[20] And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.


After Abaslom's workers were gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan came up out of the well. They went and told King David about Ahithophel's plan to attack him that night. They told David to hurry and cross the Jordan River.
[21] And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.


David and all of the people with him left. They crossed the Jordan River. By the morning, they were all across the river.
[22] Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.

 

Ahithophel commits suicide.


Ahithophel saw that Absalom did not take his advice. He put his saddle on his donkey and left Jerusalem.  He went home and told his family and his workers what to do. Then he hanged himself. They buried him in his family burial place.
[23] And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

 

David and Absalom get ready for a war.
 

David arrived at the place named Mahanaim.  Absalom and his soldiers crossed the Jordan River, too.
[24] Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.

Absalom made his cousin named Amasa the leader of the Israelite army. Amasa's father's name was Ithra. Amasa's mother was David's sister, Abigail. 

Joab led the army for David. Joab's mother was David's other sister, Zeruiah.  Amasa, Absalom, and Joab were first cousins.
[25] And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man's son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab's mother.


Absalom and the Israelite army camped in the area of Gilead.
[26] So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.


When David arrived in Mahanaim, some people helped him. Three men who helped were Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai. Shobi's father's name was Nahash, and he was from the group of people called the Ammonites.  Machir's father's name was Ammiel, and he was from the place named Lo-debar. Barzillai was from the place named Rogelim in the area of Gilead
[27] And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,


The three men brought beds, bowls, wheat, barley, flour, corn, beans, lentil (a type of bean), pulse (seeds), honey, butter, sheep, and cheese from cows.  David and the people with him were hungry, thirsty, and tired. They were in the wilderness (area with no towns).
[28] Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
[29] And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
 

2 Samuel 18

David counted his soldiers. Then he divided them into groups and put leaders in charge of them. Some groups had 100 people, and some groups had 1,000 people.
[1] And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
 

He divided them into 3 parts. His nephew, Joab, was the leader of one part. His other nephew, Abishai, was the leader of another part. Ittai, who was from the group of people called the Gittites,  was the leader of the third part.  David said he would go in front and lead all of the soldiers.
[2] And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.


The soldiers said they did not think David should go in front. They said Absalom's army won't care if they run away or if half of them die. Absalom's army will value David more. They will value David the same as 10,000 of the soldiers. They said that David should not go with them. He should wait in the city and send help if they need help later.
[3] But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.


David agreed. He said he would do what they thought was best. David waited by the gate of the city. His soldiers went out in groups of 100's and 1,000's.
[4] And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.


David gave orders to the leaders, Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He didn't want anyone to hurt his son, Absalom. The other soldiers heard David's orders about Absalom.
[5] And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

 

Absalom is killed in the war.

David's soldiers fought with Absalom's soldiers. They fought in the woods in the tribe of Ephraim's land.
[6] So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;


20,000 soldiers in Absalom's army were killed.
[7] Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.


The soldiers were fighting all over the woods. It was a dangerous place. Many soldiers died from the trees and land. More soldiers died because of the woods than because of the fighting.
[8] For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.


Some of David's soldiers were near Absalom. Absalom was riding a mule. The mule went under a very big branch of an oak tree. His head got stuck in the branch. He was hanging in the air, and his mule ran away.
[9] And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.


One of the soldiers told Joab that he saw Absalom hanging in the oak tree.
[10] And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.


 

"Absalom's Death" One of the watercolor Bible illustrations done in Bogota, Colombia for the Communicating Christ video course. From the web site of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Joab asked the man why he didn't kill Absalom. He said he would have paid him 10 pieces of silver money and a belt if he killed him.
[11] And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.


The man said he would not kill the king's son. He said he would not kill him even if he got 1,000 pieces of silver money.  The man said he heard David tell Joab, Abishai, and Ittai that they should not hurt Absalom.
[12] And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.


The man said that if he had killed Absalom, he would have broken the king's rule. David would have found out who killed Absalom. The man would have died, too. He said that Joab would not have protected him.
[13] Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.


Joab said he could not wait anymore.  Absalom was still alive and hanging in the oak tree. Joab took 3 arrows and stuck them into Absalom's heart
[14] Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

10 soldiers who carried Joab's armour made a circle around Absalom and killed him.
[15] And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.


Joab blew his trumpet. The trumpet meant that the other soldiers should stop chasing Absalom's soldiers.
[16] And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
 

They threw Absalom's body in a large hole in the woods. They piled many rocks on him. All of Absalom's soldiers ran away to their tents.
[17] And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

One time in the past, Absalom set up a pillar (very large rock pole). He said he had no sons.  After he dies, no sons will have his name. So he named the pillar with his name.  This is in the Valley of Shaveh near Jerusalem (the valley of Shaveh is also called Kidron).
[18] Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

 

David learns that his son is dead.
 

Zadok's son Ahimaaz said he would go and tell David that his enemies were dead.
[19] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.


Joab said no. He did not want Ahimaaz to take the news to David today. He said Ahimaaz could take news to David another day. But today, he cannot take the news because Absalom is dead. That will be bad news for David. Joab did not want a priest (Ahimaaz) to give David bad news.
[20] And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.


Joab told the man named Cushi to go take the news to David. Cushi bowed down to Joab and then ran to tell David.
[21] Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
 

Ahimaaz asked Joab again. He wanted to follow Cushi.  Joab asked him why he wants to go with Cushi if he cannot take the news to David.
[22] Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?


Ahimaaz wanted to run and follow Cushi. So Joab told him to go.  Ahimaaz ran through the flat land and got ahead of Cushi.
[23] But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.


David was in the city of Mahanaim. He was sitting between the 2 city gates. The man helping David watch went up on the roof. He looked and saw one man running to the city.
[24] And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.


The watchman told David what he saw. David said if the man was running alone, he was bringing news.  The man got near to the city.
[25] And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.


The watchman saw the second man running. The watchman told the man at the gate that there was another man coming.  David said he thinks the second man is also bringing some news.
[26] And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.


The watchman said he thinks the first man is Zadok's son, Ahimaaz.  David said Ahimaaz is a good man, and he will bring good news.
[27] And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.


Ahimaaz told David that everything was good. He bowed down and put his face on the ground in front of David. He said God was blessed because David's army won the war.
[28] And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.


David asked about Absalom. He asked if Absalom was safe. Ahimaaz said he didn't know. He said when Joab sent him and Cushi, he saw a big and noisy crowd, but he didn't know what was going on.
[29] And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.


David told him to stand over to the side. Ahimaaz obeyed David.
[30] And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.


 

From the web site: creationism.org

Then Cushi arrived. He told David that his army won the war.
[31] And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.


David asked about Absalom. He asked if Absalom was safe. Cushi told him that Absalom and all of Absalom's soldiers were dead.
[32] And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.


David was very upset. He went up to the room over the city gate. He cried very hard. He cried, "O, my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!" He wished God would have let him die instead of Absalom.
[33] And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

2 Samuel 19


David mourns for Absalom.


Someone told Joab that David was crying and mourning for Absalom.
[1] And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.


David's soldiers were happy because they won the war. But then they heard that David was mourning Absalom. They felt sad, too. They came back into the city of Mahanaim very quietly.  They were sneaking back like soldiers who are embarrassed because they ran away from a war.
[2] And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
[3] And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.


David continued to cover his face and cry. He cried loudly and said, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
[4] But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

 

Joab gets mad at David because he thinks David is mourning Absalom too much.

Joab came to talk to David. Joab did not like the way David was behaving. He said David made his soldiers feel ashamed.  He said the soldiers just saved his life, his sons' lives, his daughters' lives, his wives' lives, and his concubines' lives.
[5] And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;


Joab said that David loved his enemies and hated his friends. Joab thinks that if Absalom lived but all of David's soldiers died, David would be happier.
[6] In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.


Joab told David he should go out and talk to his soldiers. Joab swears in God's name that if David  does not go out and talk to them, none of the soldiers will continue to support him.  Joab said things will get very bad. It will be worse than any bad thing that happened to David in his whole life.
[7] Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.


David got up. He sat in the city gate.  The soldiers heard that David was in the gate. The soldiers came out of their tents. The soldiers came to see David.
[8] Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

 

David goes home to Jerusalem.


The people in Israel were arguing with each other. Many wanted to bring David back to Jerusalem to be the king.  They said that in the past, David saved the Israelites from the Philistines.  Back when they wanted Absalom to be their king, David ran away. Now that Absalom is dead, they want David to be their king again.
[9] And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
[10] And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?


David sent a message to the priests, Zadok and Abiathar.  He wanted them to ask the leaders of the tribe of Judah a question. He wanted to know why the tribe of Judah was not yet asking him to be king again. The other tribes were asking, but Judah was the last. David was from the tribe of Judah. He was part of their family.
[11] And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
[12] Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?

 

Also, David wanted them to talk to Amasa. He said that Amasa is part of his family. He promises to make Amasa the leader of his army. Amasa will take Joab's place. If David does not keep his promise, God will punish him.
[13] And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.


The leaders of Judah sent a message back to David. They told him he should come back and bring all of his soldiers with him.
[14] And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.


David started back to Jerusalem. He got to the Jordan River. The tribe of Judah met him by the river at the place named Gilgal.  They wanted to help him cross over the river.
[15] So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.

 

Shimei (his father was Gera) was from the tribe of Benjamin. He was from the city named Bahurim.  He came with the men from Judah's tribe to meet King David.
[16] And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.

There were 1,000 Benjamin tribe men with Shimei. Ziba was with him, too. Ziba was the worker with Saul's family.  Ziba had 15 sons and 20 workers with him.  They all crossed the Jordan River and met David.
[17] And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.


There was a ferry boat. The boat was for David to use. It was to carry David and his family over the river and carry anything David wanted.  Shimei got down on the ground in front of David after David crossed the river.
[18] And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;


Shimei talked to David. He talked about the day he yelled bad things at David and threw rocks at him. He didn't want David to punish him for that. He said that now he was one of the first people to meet David as David came back across the river.
[19] And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
[20] For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.


But Abishai said that Shimei should be killed. He said that God picked David to be the king. Shimei said bad things to God's chosen king.
[21] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?


David was frustrated with the sons of his sister Zeruiah (Abishai and Joab were 2 of her sons). He said they were not helping him. He said that no one would be killed in Israel on that day. David was king again, and that day was a happy day for celebrating.
[22] And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?


David promised Shimei that no one would kill him.
[23] Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

 

David sees Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth.
 

Saul's son Mephibosheth came to meet David. Since David left, he had not washed his clothes, trimmed his beard, or cleaned his feet.
[24] And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.

David asked Mephibosheth why he didn't leave Jerusalem with him.
[25] And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?


Mephibosheth said that he planned to leave Jerusalem with David. He had told his worker Ziba to get a donkey ready for him to ride. He needed a donkey because he couldn't walk well.  
[26] And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.


But Ziba did not obey Mephibosheth. He took the donkey and went with David himself. He told David a lie. He told David that Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem because Mephibosheth wanted to be king of Israel.  Mephibosheth now tells David to do whatever he thinks is best. He says that David is like one of God's angels.
[27] And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.


In the past, all of Saul's family members were killed. But David saved Mephibosheth and let him eat at the king's table. Mephibosheth said he couldn't ask for anything more.
[28] For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?


David said that he shouldn't talk about it anymore. David said that Ziba and Mephibosheth should divide the land.
[29] And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.

Mephibosheth said that Ziba could have it all. Mephibosheth was just happy that David was back in his home of Jerusalem again.
[30] And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

 

Barzillai was from the area of Gilead. He came from the city named Rogelim. Barzillai crossed the Jordan River with David.
[31] And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

Back when David was in the place named Mahanaim, Barzillai gave David food. Barzillai was 80 years old, and he was rich.
[32] Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.


David asked Barzillai to go to Jerusalem with him. Barzillai had helped David, and now David wants to take care of Barzillai and give him food.
[33] And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.


Barzillai didn't want to go to Jerusalem. He said he is an old man, and he won't live long. He is 80 years old.  He can't taste the things he eats or drinks anymore. His brain is not as sharp, and he can't see the difference between right and wrong.  He can't hear men or women sing. He said he would just be a burden (hard work) for David.
[34] And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
[35] I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?


Barzillai said he will cross the river with Davd and go a little way. But David should not reward him for the small things he has done. He will go back to his home. After he dies, he wants to be buried near his mother and father. Barzillai said that his son named Chimham can go with David.  David can treat Chimham any way he wants..
[36] Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
[37] Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
 

David agreed with Barzillai. Chimham would go with him. David will do what Barzillai wants him to do about Chimham and anything else.
[38] And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.


David and all of the people crossed the Jordan River. After David got across, he kissed Barzillai and asked God to bless him. Then Barzillai went to his home.
[39] And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.



David continued to the place called Gilgal (Gilgal was about 6 miles from the river). Barzillai's son, Chimham, went with him. All of Judah's army helped David cross the river. Also, half of Israel's army helped him.
[40] Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
 

Israel's army is mad at the tribe of Judah's army.


The Israel army talked to David. They asked David why the army of Judah helped him across the river. They helped him cross the river quietly and secretly.
[41] And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
 

The men of Judah answered. They said they helped David because he is part of their family. They asked why they were mad about this. The Judah army did not get anything in return for helping David. They did not eat any of David's food. David did not give them any gifts.
[42] And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?


The men of Israel said that they had more right to help David than the Judah tribe. They were mad because Judah didn't let them help David come back. They said it was their idea for him to come back. The Judah tribe was mad, too. They were more mad than the men of Israel.
[43] And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.