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2 Samuel 19 · Grade 4

A Kingdom Restored

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Read and Think

The victory day turned into a day of mourning, because David cried, My son Absalom! Joab bluntly told the king that he was shaming the men who had saved his life and his family. If David did not go out and speak to them, no one would stay with him. David listened, and he sat in the gate to receive the people.

The tribes argued about returning the king. David sent word to Judah, reminding them they were his own bone and flesh. He also chose Amasa, Absalom's commander, to lead his army instead of Joab. When David reached the Jordan, Shimei fell before him and confessed. David refused to let Abishai kill him, saying it was a day of joy for Israel.

Mephibosheth arrived unwashed, having mourned the whole time. He said Ziba had deceived him and slandered him. David ordered the land divided, and Mephibosheth said Ziba could take it all, since the king had come in peace. Barzillai, eighty years old, declined to live in Jerusalem but sent Chimham in his place. Then Judah and Israel argued sharply over who had the greater share in the king.

Show What You Know

  1. What did Joab tell David?

  2. Who did David choose to lead his army instead of Joab?

  3. Why did David refuse to let Abishai kill Shimei?

  4. Who did Barzillai send in his place?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

BarzillaigateJudahJordanking
  1. Joab bluntly told the that he was shaming the men who had saved his life and his family.
  2. David listened, and he sat in the to receive the people.
  3. David sent word to , reminding them they were his own bone and flesh.
  4. When David reached the , Shimei fell before him and confessed.
  5. , eighty years old, declined to live in Jerusalem but sent Chimham in his place.

Think About It

  1. David showed mercy to Shimei on a day of joy. When could you choose mercy instead of getting even?

  2. Mephibosheth cared more about the king than about land. What does it look like to value people more than things?

Memory Verse

Mephibosheth said to the king, “Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”

2 Samuel 19:30 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for welcoming me home. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What does Mephibosheth's answer teach about loving people more than things?
  • Why do you think David divided the land between Ziba and Mephibosheth?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.