1Then this word reached Joab: “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” 2And the victory of that day was turned into deep sadness; for all the people heard that day how the king was grieving for his son. 3And so the people slipped quietly back into the city, like people fleeing from battle in shame – not as victors. 4The king covered his face, and cried aloud, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “You have humiliated all your servants who saved your life and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and your concubines today. 6For you have demonstrated today that you seem to love your enemies, and hate your friends. You have shown that you have no regard for officers nor soldiers; for they perceive that if Absalom had lived, and we had all died today, it would have pleased you well. 7Now, get up, go out, and congratulate your troops; for I swear by the LORD, if you do not, there will not be anyone who stays with you this night: and that will be worse for you than all the trouble that you have known from your youth until now.”

8Then the king arose, and went and sat in the gate. And the word spread among the people, “The king is sitting at the city gate.” And all the people came before the king; because they had all fled to their tents. 9And all the people throughout all the tribes of Israel were arguing things like, “The king saved us from our enemies; and rescued us from the Philistines; and now he has fled the country to escape Absalom. 10And Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead in battle. So, why not ask David to come back and be our king again?” 11And King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Speak to the elders of Judah, and ask, ‘Why are you the last to welcome the king back to his house, since what is being said in all of Israel has reached the king at his house? 12You are my brothers - my flesh and blood. Why, then, are you the last to welcome the king back?’ 13And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not of my flesh and blood? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not named commander of the army instead of Joab’”. 14And he won over the hearts of all the men of Judah; so that they, as one man, sent this word to the king, “Return, you and all your servants.” 15So the king started back, and got as far as the Jordan. And all Judah came to Gilgal to greet the king, and to escort him across the Jordan.

16And Shimei, son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba, a steward of Saul’s household, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants; and they rushed to the Jordan as the king was about to cross. 18And they crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king's household over, and to do whatever he wished. And Shimei bowed before the king, as he came across the Jordan; 19And said to David, “Do not impute iniquity to me, nor remember what I so perversely did the day that the king fled from Jerusalem, but may the king put it out of his mind. 20For I know that I have sinned; that is why I have come, the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down to greet my lord, the king.” 21But Abishai, son of Zeruiah, answered, “Shall Shimei not be put to death, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?” 22And David replied, “What does this have to do with you, Abishai, of the sons of Zeruiah, that you should meddle with me? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Do I not know that this day I am king over Israel?” 23Then David said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And he promised him on oath.

24And Mephibosheth, grandson of Saul, came down to meet the king, and he had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, since the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace. 25And when he had come from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king asked him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26And he answered, “My lord, O king, I said, ‘I will saddle me a donkey, so that I may ride and go to the king; because I am lame.’; but my servant deceived me; 27And he (Ziba) has slandered me to you, my lord, the king, by saying that I refused to come. But the king is like an angel of God; do, therefore, whatever you think is best. 28For all of my father's family deserved death from you, O king; yet you have set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right, then, have I to appeal any more to the king?” 29And David said to him, “Why speak any more of this? I have said, ‘I order that you and Ziba divide the land.’” 30And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord, the king, has returned home safely.”

31And Barzillai, a Gileadite, also came down from Rogelim, to escort the king over the Jordan. 32Now Barzillai was eighty years old, and he had provided the king with sustenance while he was at Mahanaim; for he was a very wealthy man. 33And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over and stay with me, and I will provide for you in Jerusalem.” 34And Barzillai replied, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between good and evil? Can I taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of men and women singing? Why, then, should I be a further burden to my lord, the king? 36I will go a short distance beyond the Jordan with the king; but why should the king reward me in this way? 37Let me then return, I pray you, so that I may die in my own city, and be buried beside the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant, Chimham; let him go with the king; and do for him as you see fit.” 38And David answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you; and I will do for you whatever you need of me.” 39And all these people crossed over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and Barzillai returned to his home. 40Then the king proceeded on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him; and all the troops of Judah escorted the king, as well as half the troops of Israel.

41And then the men of Israel complained to the king, “Why have our brethren, the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, with all his men, over the Jordan?” 42And the men of Judah answered, “Because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king's provisions? Or have we received any special favors?” 43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and more of a claim on David than you. Why, then, did you treat us with contempt? Were we not the first to speak about bringing back our king?” But the men of Judah pressed their claim more forcefully than the men of Israel.