Joab Reproves David

1  וַיֻּגַּ֖ד (And it was declared) לְיוֹאָ֑ב (to Joab), הִנֵּ֨ה (Behold), הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ (the king) בֹּכֶ֛ה (is weeping) וַיִּתְאַבֵּ֖ל (and mourning) עַל־ (for) אַבְשָׁלֹֽם׃ (Absalom). 2  וַתְּהִ֨י (And became) הַתְּשֻׁעָ֜ה (the victory) בַּיּ֥וֹם (day) הַה֛וּא (that) לְאֵ֖בֶל (mourning) לְכָל־ (for all) הָעָ֑ם (the people), כִּֽי־ (for) שָׁמַ֣ע (heard it) הָעָ֗ם (the people) בַּיּ֤וֹם (day) הַהוּא֙ (that), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), נֶעֱצַ֥ב (Is grieved) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) עַל־ (for) בְּנֽוֹ׃ (his son).

3  וַיִּתְגַּנֵּ֥ב (And stole away) הָעָ֛ם (the people) בַּיּ֥וֹם (day) הַה֖וּא (that) לָב֣וֹא (to go into) הָעִ֑יר (the city), כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (as) יִתְגַּנֵּ֗ב (steal away) הָעָם֙ (the people) הַנִּכְלָמִ֔ים (who are ashamed) בְּנוּסָ֖ם (in their fleeing) בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ (in battle). 4  וְהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (And the king) לָאַ֣ט (covered) אֶת־ (-) פָּנָ֔יו (his face), וַיִּזְעַ֥ק (and cried out) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) ק֣וֹל (in voice) גָּד֑וֹל (a loud), בְּנִי֙ (O my son) אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם (Absalom), אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם (O Absalom), בְּנִ֥י (my son), בְנִֽי׃ס (my son)!

5  וַיָּבֹ֥א (And came) יוֹאָ֛ב (Joab) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) הַבָּ֑יִת (to the house), וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (and said), הֹבַ֨שְׁתָּ (You have disgraced) הַיּ֜וֹם (today) אֶת־ (-) פְּנֵ֣י (the faces) כָל־ (all) עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ (your servants) הַֽמְמַלְּטִ֤ים (who have saved) אֶֽת־ (-) נַפְשְׁךָ֙ (your life) הַיּ֔וֹם (today), וְאֵ֨ת (and) נֶ֤פֶשׁ (the lives) בָּנֶ֙יךָ֙ (of your sons) וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ (and daughters), וְנֶ֣פֶשׁ (and the lives) נָשֶׁ֔יךָ (of your wives), וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ (and the lives) פִּלַגְשֶֽׁיךָ׃ (of your concubines), 6  לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ (in that you love) אֶת־ (-) שֹׂ֣נְאֶ֔יךָ (those who hate you) וְלִשְׂנֹ֖א (and hate) אֶת־ (-) אֹהֲבֶ֑יךָ (those who love you). כִּ֣י׀ (For) הִגַּ֣דְתָּ (you have declared) הַיּ֗וֹם (today) כִּ֣י (that) אֵ֤ין (not) לְךָ֙ (unto you) שָׂרִ֣ים (are princes) וַעֲבָדִ֔ים (and servants); כִּ֣י׀ (for) יָדַ֣עְתִּי (I know) הַיּ֗וֹם (today) כִּ֠י (that) לֹא (if) אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם (Absalom) חַי֙ (had lived) וְכֻלָּ֤נוּ (and all of us) הַיּוֹם֙ (today) מֵתִ֔ים (had died), כִּי־ (that) אָ֖ז (then) יָשָׁ֥ר (it would be upright) בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ (in your eyes).

7  וְעַתָּה֙ (And now) ק֣וּם (arise), צֵ֔א (go out), וְדַבֵּ֖ר (and speak) עַל־ (to) לֵ֣ב (the heart) עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ (of your servants), כִּי֩ (for) בַיהוָ֨ה (by YHWH) נִשְׁבַּ֜עְתִּי (I swear), כִּי־ (if) אֵינְךָ֣ (not) יוֹצֵ֗א (you do go out), אִם־ (not) יָלִ֨ין (will stay) אִ֤ישׁ (a man) אִתְּךָ֙ (with you) הַלַּ֔יְלָה (this the night). וְרָעָ֧ה (And worse) לְךָ֣ (for you) זֹ֗את (is this) מִכָּל־ (than all) הָרָעָה֙ (the evil) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) בָּ֣אָה (has come) עָלֶ֔יךָ (upon you) מִנְּעֻרֶ֖יךָ (from your youth) עַד־ (until) עָֽתָּה׃ס (now).

David Restored as King

8  וַיָּ֥קָם (And arose) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב (and sat) בַּשָּׁ֑עַר (in the gate). וּֽלְכָל־ (And all) הָעָ֞ם (the people) הִגִּ֣ידוּ (declared), לֵאמֹ֗ר (saying), הִנֵּ֤ה (There is) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king) יוֹשֵׁ֣ב (sitting) בַּשַּׁ֔עַר (in the gate). וַיָּבֹ֤א (And came) כָל־ (all) הָעָם֙ (the people) לִפְנֵ֣י (before the face of) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king).

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (And for Israel) נָ֖ס (had fled), אִ֥ישׁ (each man) לְאֹהָלָֽיו׃ס (of to his tent). 9  וַיְהִ֤י (And were) כָל־ (all) הָעָם֙ (the people) נָד֔וֹן (in a dispute) בְּכָל־ (throughout all) שִׁבְטֵ֥י (the tribes) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (The king) הִצִּילָ֣נוּ׀ (snatched us up) מִכַּ֣ף (from the hand) אֹיְבֵ֗ינוּ (of our enemies), וְה֤וּא (and he) מִלְּטָ֙נוּ֙ (saved us) מִכַּ֣ף (from the hand) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (of the Philistines). וְעַתָּ֛ה (And) בָּרַ֥ח (he has fled) מִן־ (from) הָאָ֖רֶץ (the land) מֵעַ֥ל (because) אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (of Absalom). 10  וְאַבְשָׁלוֹם֙ (And Absalom), אֲשֶׁ֣ר (whom) מָשַׁ֣חְנוּ (we anointed) עָלֵ֔ינוּ (over us), מֵ֖ת (has died) בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (in the battle). וְעַתָּ֗ה (And now) לָמָ֥ה (why) אַתֶּ֛ם (are you⁺) מַחֲרִשִׁ֖ים (silent) לְהָשִׁ֥יב (about bringing back) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ס (the king)?

11  וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (And King) דָּוִ֗ד (David) שָׁ֠לַח (sent) אֶל־ (to) צָד֨וֹק (Zadok) וְאֶל־ (and) אֶבְיָתָ֥ר (Abiathar) הַכֹּהֲנִים֮ (the priests), לֵאמֹר֒ (saying), דַּבְּר֞וּ (Speak) אֶל־ (to) זִקְנֵ֤י (the elders) יְהוּדָה֙ (of Judah), לֵאמֹ֔ר (saying), לָ֤מָּה (Why) תִֽהְיוּ֙ (are you⁺) אַֽחֲרֹנִ֔ים (the last) לְהָשִׁ֥יב (to bring back) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (to) בֵּית֑וֹ (his house), וּדְבַר֙ (and since the words) כָּל־ (of all) יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Israel) בָּ֥א (have come) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king), אֶל־ (to) בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ (his house)? 12  אַחַ֣י (My brothers), אַתֶּ֔ם (you⁺) עַצְמִ֥י (my bone) וּבְשָׂרִ֖י (and my flesh) אַתֶּ֑ם (you⁺ are). וְלָ֧מָּה (And why) תִהְי֛וּ (are you⁺) אַחֲרֹנִ֖ים (the last) לְהָשִׁ֥יב (to bring back) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (the king)? 13  וְלַֽעֲמָשָׂא֙ (And to Amasa) תֹּֽמְר֔וּ (say), הֲל֛וֹא (Is it not that) עַצְמִ֥י (my bone) וּבְשָׂרִ֖י (and my flesh) אָ֑תָּה (you are)? כֹּ֣ה (So) יַֽעֲשֶׂה־ (may do) לִּ֤י (to me) אֱלֹהִים֙ (God), וְכֹ֣ה (and even) יוֹסִ֔יף (may He add), אִם־ (if) לֹ֠א (not) שַׂר־ (the commander) צָבָ֞א (of the army) תִּהְיֶ֧ה (you are) לְפָנַ֛י (before me) כָּל־ (all) הַיָּמִ֖ים (the days) תַּ֥חַת (in place) יוֹאָֽב׃ (of Joab).

14  וַיַּ֛ט (And he swayed) אֶת־ (-) לְבַ֥ב (the hearts) כָּל־ (of all) אִישׁ־ (the men) יְהוּדָ֖ה (of Judah), כְּאִ֣ישׁ (as man) אֶחָ֑ד (one). וַֽיִּשְׁלְחוּ֙ (And they sent) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), שׁ֥וּב (Return) אַתָּ֖ה (you) וְכָל־ (and all) עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃ (your servants).

15  וַיָּ֣שָׁב (And returned) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king) וַיָּבֹ֖א (and came) עַד־ (to) הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן (the Jordan). וִיהוּדָ֞ה (And Judah) בָּ֣א (came) הַגִּלְגָּ֗לָה (to Gilgal), לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ (to go) לִקְרַ֣את (to meet) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), לְהַעֲבִ֥יר (to bring over) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) אֶת־ (-) הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ (the Jordan).

Shimei Pardoned

16  וַיְמַהֵ֗ר (And hurried) שִׁמְעִ֤י (Shimei) בֶן־ (son) גֵּרָא֙ (of Gera), בֶּן־ (the Ben-) הַיְמִינִ֔י (jaminite) אֲשֶׁ֖ר (who was) מִבַּֽחוּרִ֑ים (from Bahurim), וַיֵּ֙רֶד֙ (and he came down) עִם־ (with) אִ֣ישׁ (the men) יְהוּדָ֔ה (of Judah) לִקְרַ֖את (to meet) הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (King) דָּוִֽד׃ (David). 17  וְאֶ֨לֶף (And a thousand) אִ֣ישׁ (men) עִמּוֹ֮ (were with him) מִבִּנְיָמִן֒ (of Benjamin) וְצִיבָ֗א (and Ziba) נַ֚עַר (the servant) בֵּ֣ית (of the house) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul), וַחֲמֵ֨שֶׁת (and five) עָשָׂ֥ר (and ten) בָּנָ֛יו (his sons), וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים (and twenty) עֲבָדָ֖יו (his servants) אִתּ֑וֹ (with him).

וְצָלְח֥וּ (And they rushed) הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (into the Jordan) לִפְנֵ֥י (before the face of) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (the king). 18  וְעָבְרָ֣ה (And they passed over) הָעֲבָרָ֗ה (the ford) לַֽעֲבִיר֙ (to bring over) אֶת־ (-) בֵּ֣ית (the house), הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (of the king) וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (and to do) הַטּ֖וֹב (what was good) בְּעֵינוֹ (in his eyes).

וְשִׁמְעִ֣י (And Shimei) בֶן־ (son) גֵּרָ֗א (of Gera) נָפַל֙ (fell down) לִפְנֵ֣י (before the face of) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king) בְּעָבְר֖וֹ (when he had crossed) בַּיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ (the Jordan). 19  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And he said) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (the king), אַל־ (Not) יַחֲשָׁב־ (do let reckon) לִ֣י (to me) אֲדֹנִי֮ (my lord) עָוֺן֒ (iniquity) וְאַל־ (or) תִּזְכֹּ֗ר (remember) אֵ֚ת (-) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (what) הֶעֱוָ֣ה (did wrong) עַבְדְּךָ֔ (your servant) בַּיּ֕וֹם (on the day) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) יָׄצָ֥ׄאׄ (left) אֲדֹנִֽי־ (my lord) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) מִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (Jerusalem), לָשׂ֥וּם (that should put it) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (to) לִבּֽוֹ׃ (heart). 20  כִּ֚י (For) יָדַ֣ע (I know) עַבְדְּךָ֔ (your servant), כִּ֖י (that) אֲנִ֣י (I) חָטָ֑אתִי (have sinned). וְהִנֵּֽה־ (And behold), בָ֣אתִי (I have come) הַיּ֗וֹם (today) רִאשׁוֹן֙ (the first) לְכָל־ (of all) בֵּ֣ית (the house) יוֹסֵ֔ף (of Joseph), לָרֶ֕דֶת (to go down) לִקְרַ֖את (to meet) אֲדֹנִ֥י (my lord) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ס (the king).

21  וַיַּ֨עַן (And answered) אֲבִישַׁ֤י (Abishai) בֶּן־ (son) צְרוּיָה֙ (of Zeruiah) וַיֹּ֔אמֶר (and said), הֲתַ֣חַת (In exchange for) זֹ֔את (this) לֹ֥א (shall not) יוּמַ֖ת (be put to death) שִׁמְעִ֑י (Shimei), כִּ֥י (in that) קִלֵּ֖ל (he cursed) אֶת־ (-) מְשִׁ֥יחַ (the anointed) יְהוָֽה׃ס (of YHWH)?

22  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) דָּוִ֗ד (David), מַה־ (What) לִּ֤י (have I) וְלָכֶם֙ (and to do with you⁺) בְּנֵ֣י (sons) צְרוּיָ֔ה (of Zeruiah), כִּי־ (that) תִֽהְיוּ־ (you⁺ should be) לִ֥י (unto me) הַיּ֖וֹם (today) לְשָׂטָ֑ן (for an adversary)? הַיּ֗וֹם (Today) י֤וּמַת (shall be put to death) אִישׁ֙ (any man) בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (in Israel)? כִּ֚י (For) הֲל֣וֹא (do not) יָדַ֔עְתִּי (I know) כִּ֥י (that) הַיּ֖וֹם (this day) אֲנִי־ (I am) מֶ֥לֶךְ (king) עַל־ (over) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (Israel)?

23  וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (And said) הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (to) שִׁמְעִ֖י (Shimei), לֹ֣א (Not) תָמ֑וּת (you shall die). וַיִּשָּׁ֥בַֽע (And swore) ל֖וֹ (to him) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ס (the king).

Mephibosheth Excused

24  וּמְפִבֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (And Mephibosheth) בֶּן־ (son) שָׁא֔וּל (of Saul) יָרַ֖ד (came down) לִקְרַ֣את (to meet) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king), וְלֹא־ (and not) עָשָׂ֨ה (he had cared for) רַגְלָ֜יו (his feet), וְלֹא־ (and not) עָשָׂ֣ה (trimmed) שְׂפָמ֗וֹ (his mustache), וְאֶת־ (and) בְּגָדָיו֙ (his clothes) לֹ֣א (not) כִבֵּ֔ס (had he washed) לְמִן־ (from) הַיּוֹם֙ (the day) לֶ֣כֶת (of the going away) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (of the king) עַד־ (until) הַיּ֖וֹם (the day) אֲשֶׁר־ (that) בָּ֥א (he returned) בְשָׁלֽוֹם׃ (in peace). 25  וַיְהִ֛י (And it came to pass), כִּי־ (when) בָ֥א (he had come) יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (to Jerusalem) לִקְרַ֣את (to meet) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king), וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (that said) לוֹ֙ (to him) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), לָ֛מָּה (Why) לֹא־ (not) הָלַ֥כְתָּ (did you go) עִמִּ֖י (with me), מְפִיבֹֽשֶׁת׃ (Mephibosheth)?

26  וַיֹּאמַ֕ר (And he answered), אֲדֹנִ֥י (My lord) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king), עַבְדִּ֣י (my servant) רִמָּ֑נִי (deceived me) כִּֽי־ (for) אָמַ֨ר (said) עַבְדְּךָ֜ (your servant), אֶחְבְּשָׁה־ (I will saddle) לִּי֩ (for myself) הַחֲמ֨וֹר (the donkey), וְאֶרְכַּ֤ב (that I may ride) עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ (on it) וְאֵלֵ֣ךְ (and go) אֶת־ (to) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), כִּ֥י (because) פִסֵּ֖חַ (lame) עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ (your servant is). 27  וַיְרַגֵּ֣ל (And he has slandered) בְּעַבְדְּךָ֔ (your servant) אֶל־ (to) אֲדֹנִ֖י (my lord) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king).

וַאדֹנִ֤י (And my lord) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king is) כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ (like the angel) הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים (of God); וַעֲשֵׂ֥ה (and do) הַטּ֖וֹב (what is good) בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ (in your eyes). 28  כִּי֩ (For) לֹ֨א (not) הָיָ֜ה (were) כָּל־ (all) בֵּ֣ית (house) אָבִ֗י (of my father) כִּ֤י (as) אִם־ (but) אַנְשֵׁי־ (men) מָ֙וֶת֙ (dead) לַאדֹנִ֣י (before my lord) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), וַתָּ֙שֶׁת֙ (and you set) אֶֽת־ (-) עַבְדְּךָ֔ (your servant) בְּאֹכְלֵ֖י (among those who eat at) שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑ךָ (your own table). וּמַה־ (And what) יֶּשׁ־ (have) לִ֥י (I) עוֹד֙ (anymore) צְדָקָ֔ה (right) וְלִזְעֹ֥ק (and to cry) ע֖וֹד (still) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃פ (the king)?

29  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לוֹ֙ (to him) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), לָ֛מָּה (Why) תְּדַבֵּ֥ר (do you speak) ע֖וֹד (anymore) דְּבָרֶ֑יךָ (of your matters)? אָמַ֕רְתִּי (I have said), אַתָּ֣ה (you) וְצִיבָ֔א (and Ziba) תַּחְלְק֖וּ (shall divide) אֶת־ (-) הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (the land).

30  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) מְפִיבֹ֙שֶׁת֙ (Mephibosheth) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), גַּ֥ם (Instead), אֶת־ (-) הַכֹּ֖ל (it all) יִקָּ֑ח (let him take), אַ֠חֲרֵי (inasmuch) אֲשֶׁר־ (as) בָּ֞א (has come back) אֲדֹנִ֥י (my lord) הַמֶּ֛לֶך (the king) בְּשָׁל֖וֹם (in peace) אֶל־ (to) בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ס (his own house).

David’s Kindness to Barzillai

31  וּבַרְזִלַּי֙ (And Barzillai) הַגִּלְעָדִ֔י (the Gileadite) יָרַ֖ד (came down) מֵרֹגְלִ֑ים (from Rogelim) וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר (and went across) אֶת־ (with) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king) הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (the Jordan), לְשַׁלְּח֖וֹ (to send him away) אֶת־ (-) בַּיַּרְדֵּן׃ (over the Jordan). 32  וּבַרְזִלַּי֙ (And Barzillai) זָקֵ֣ן (old) מְאֹ֔ד (was very), בֶּן־ (a son) שְׁמֹנִ֖ים (of eighty) שָׁנָ֑ה (years), וְהֽוּא־ (and he) כִלְכַּ֤ל (had provided for) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king) בְּשִׁיבָת֣וֹ (while he stayed) בְמַחֲנַ֔יִם (at Mahanaim). כִּֽי־ (For) אִ֛ישׁ (a man) גָּד֥וֹל (rich) ה֖וּא (he was) מְאֹֽד׃ (very).

33  וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (And said) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) אֶל־ (to) בַּרְזִלָּ֑י (Barzillai), אַתָּה֙ (You) עֲבֹ֣ר (pass over) אִתִּ֔י (with me), וְכִלְכַּלְתִּ֥י (and I will provide) אֹתְךָ֛ (for you) עִמָּדִ֖י (while you are with me) בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (in Jerusalem).

34  וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (And said) בַּרְזִלַּ֖י (Barzillai) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king), כַּמָּ֗ה (How many) יְמֵי֙ (are the days) שְׁנֵ֣י (of the years) חַיַּ֔י (of my life), כִּי־ (that) אֶעֱלֶ֥ה (I should go up) אֶת־ (with) הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (the king) יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (to Jerusalem)? 35  בֶּן־ (A son) שְׁמֹנִ֣ים (of eighty) שָׁנָה֩ (years) אָנֹכִ֨י (I am) הַיּ֜וֹם (today). הַאֵדַ֣ע׀ (Can I discern) בֵּין־ (between) ט֣וֹב (good) לְרָ֗ע (and evil)? אִם־ (If) יִטְעַ֤ם (can taste) עַבְדְּךָ֙ (your servant) אֶת־ (-) אֲשֶׁ֤ר (what) אֹכַל֙ (I eat) וְאֶת־ (or) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (what) אֶשְׁתֶּ֔ה (I drink)? אִם־ (If) אֶשְׁמַ֣ע (can I hear) ע֔וֹד (any longer) בְּק֖וֹל (the voice) שָׁרִ֣ים (of singers) וְשָׁר֑וֹת (and songstresses)? וְלָמָּה֩ (And why) יִֽהְיֶ֨ה (should be) עַבְדְּךָ֥ (your servant) עוֹד֙ (add) לְמַשָּׂ֔א (a burden) אֶל־ (to) אֲדֹנִ֖י (my lord) הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (the king)?

36  כִּמְעַ֞ט (As a little thing) יַעֲבֹ֧ר (will pass over) עַבְדְּךָ֛ (your servant) אֶת־ (-) הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (the Jordan) אֶת־ (with) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king). וְלָ֙מָּה֙ (And why) יִגְמְלֵ֣נִי (should repay me) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king) הַגְּמוּלָ֖ה (the reward) הַזֹּֽאת׃ (this)? 37  יָֽשָׁב־ (Let turn back again), נָ֤א (please), עַבְדְּךָ֙ (your servant), וְאָמֻ֣ת (that I may die) בְּעִירִ֔י (in my own city), עִ֛ם (near) קֶ֥בֶר (the grave) אָבִ֖י (of my father) וְאִמִּ֑י (and my mother). וְהִנֵּ֣ה׀ (And here is) עַבְדְּךָ֣ (your servant) כִמְהָ֗ם (Chimham). יַֽעֲבֹר֙ (Let him pass over) עִם־ (with) אֲדֹנִ֣י (my lord) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), וַעֲשֵׂה־ (and do) ל֕וֹ (for him) אֵ֥ת (-) אֲשֶׁר־ (what) ט֖וֹב (is good) בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ס (in your eyes).

38  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And answered) הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (the king), אִתִּי֙ (With me) יַעֲבֹ֣ר (shall pass over) כִּמְהָ֔ם (Chimham), וַאֲנִי֙ (and I) אֶעֱשֶׂה־ (will do) לּ֔וֹ (for him) אֶת־ (-) הַטּ֖וֹב (what is good) בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ (in your eyes). וְכֹ֛ל (And) אֲשֶׁר־ (whatever) תִּבְחַ֥ר (you request) עָלַ֖י (of me), אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־ (I will do) לָּֽךְ׃ (for you).

39  וַיַּעֲבֹ֧ר (And passed over) כָּל־ (all) הָעָ֛ם (the people) אֶת־ (-) הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן (the Jordan). וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (And the king) עָבָ֑ר (had passed over), וַיִּשַּׁ֨ק (and kissed) הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (the king) לְבַרְזִלַּי֙ (Barzillai) וַיְבָ֣רֲכֵ֔הוּ (and blessed him), וַיָּ֖שָׁב (and he returned) לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃ס (to his place).

40  וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר (And passed over) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king) הַגִּלְגָּ֔לָה (to Gilgal), וְכִמְהָ֖ן (and Chimham) עָבַ֣ר (went on) עִמּ֑וֹ (with him), וְכָל־ (and all) עַ֤ם (the people) יְהוּדָה֙ (of Judah) וַיַּעֲבִרוּ (brought over) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king), וְגַ֕ם (and also) חֲצִ֖י (half) עַ֥ם (the people) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (of Israel).

Contention over the King

41  וְהִנֵּ֛ה (And behold), כָּל־ (all) אִ֥ישׁ (the men) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel) בָּאִ֣ים (came) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (the king) וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (and said) אֶל־ (to) הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ (the king), מַדּוּעַ֩ (Why) גְּנָב֨וּךָ (have stolen you away) אַחֵ֜ינוּ (our brothers) אִ֣ישׁ (the men) יְהוּדָ֗ה (of Judah) וַיַּעֲבִ֨רוּ (and brought) אֶת־ (-) הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (the king) וְאֶת־ (and) בֵּיתוֹ֙ (his house) אֶת־ (across) הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (the Jordan), וְכָל־ (and all) אַנְשֵׁ֥י (the men) דָוִ֖ד (of David) עִמּֽוֹ׃ס (with him)?

42  וַיַּעַן֩ (And answered) כָּל־ (all) אִ֨ישׁ (the men) יְהוּדָ֜ה (of Judah) עַל־ (against) אִ֣ישׁ (the men) יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (of Israel), כִּֽי־ (Because) קָר֤וֹב (is near) הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (the king) אֵלַ֔י (to us). וְלָ֤מָּה (And why) זֶּה֙ (is this that) חָרָ֣ה (are hot) לְךָ֔ (you) עַל־ (over) הַדָּבָ֖ר (the matter) הַזֶּ֑ה (this)? הֶאָכ֤וֹל (Eating) אָכַ֙לְנוּ֙ (we have eaten) מִן־ (from) הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (the king)? אִם־ (Or) נִשֵּׂ֥את (lifting) נִשָּׂ֖א (has he lifted up) לָֽנוּ׃ס (to us)?

43  וַיַּ֣עַן (And answered) אִֽישׁ־ (the man) יִשְׂרָאֵל֩ (of Israel) אֶת־ (-) אִ֨ישׁ (the man) יְהוּדָ֜ה (of Judah), וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (and said), עֶֽשֶׂר־ (Ten) יָד֨וֹת (shares) לִ֣י (unto me are) בַמֶּלֶךְ֮ (in the king), וְגַם־ (and also) בְּדָוִד֮ (in David) אֲנִ֣י (unto me is) מִמְּךָ֒ (than you). וּמַדּ֙וּעַ֙ (And why) הֱקִלֹּתַ֔נִי (do you despise us), וְלֹא־ (not) הָיָ֨ה (Was) דְבָרִ֥י (my word) רִאשׁ֛וֹן (first) לִ֖י (-) לְהָשִׁ֣יב (to bring back) אֶת־ (-) מַלְכִּ֑י (my king)?

וַיִּ֙קֶשׁ֙ (And was sharper) דְּבַר־ (the word) אִ֣ישׁ (of the men) יְהוּדָ֔ה (of Judah) מִדְּבַ֖ר (than the words) אִ֥ישׁ (of the men) יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ס (of Israel).