Mercy at the River

When the people heard the king was grieving for his son, their victory turned into mourning. They sneaked into the city as if ashamed. Joab told David to go out and speak kindly to his people. So David arose and sat in the gate, and all the people came before him.

The tribes talked about bringing the king back. David asked the men of Judah why they were last. Judah came to Gilgal to bring the king over the Jordan. Shimei hurried to meet David and confessed that he had sinned. Abishai wanted him put to death, but David swore to Shimei, You will not die.

Mephibosheth came too. He had not washed his clothes since the king left. He said Ziba had lied to him. David told him to split the land with Ziba. Mephibosheth said, Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house. Barzillai, who was eighty years old, would not go to Jerusalem, so David kissed him and blessed him.