2 Samuel 19: The King Comes Home

David mourns for Absalom until Joab warns him that he is shaming his loyal people. David goes to the gate to meet them. The tribes bring the king back over the Jordan. David spares Shimei, hears Mephibosheth, and thanks old Barzillai. Judah and Israel argue about who loves the king more.

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Read 2 Samuel 19

World English Bible · 43 verses

¹ Joab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² The victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ The people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ in that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Now therefore arise, go out and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by Yahweh, if you don’t go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Then the king arose and sat in the gate. The people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul’s house, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ A ferry boat went to bring over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had come over the Jordan.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ He said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh’s anointed?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ The king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore to him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ When he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ He has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should appeal any more to the king?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ The king said to him, “Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ Your servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s cost? Or has he given us any gift?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

2 Samuel 19 · Preschool

The King Comes Home

Name Date

Color the river and the king! David came home in peace.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible 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)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Mephibosheth was happy just to have the king home. Being with the people we love is a gift from God.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Samuel 19 · Grade 4

A Kingdom Restored

Name Date

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

What did Joab tell David?
Who did David choose to lead his army instead of Joab?
Why did David refuse to let Abishai kill Shimei?
Who did Barzillai send in his place?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

BarzillaigateJudahJordanking

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

Think About It

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

Copy It

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?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Samuel 19 · Grade 5

Mercy, Loyalty, and Division

Name Date

Read and Think

David's grief for Absalom threatened his kingdom. The army returned in shame instead of triumph. Joab confronted the king with hard words: by loving those who hated him and hating those who loved him, David was showing that his commanders and servants meant nothing to him. Joab warned that if David did not speak comfortably to them, no one would remain with him by night. David arose and sat in the gate.

Restoring the kingdom required wise outreach. David appealed to the elders of Judah as his bone and flesh and offered Amasa, Absalom's commander, the place of Joab. Judah's hearts were won. At the Jordan, Shimei, who had cursed David, came with a thousand Benjamites and begged forgiveness. Abishai again demanded his death, but David declared that no one would be put to death in Israel that day and swore to Shimei that he would not die.

Mephibosheth's appearance told its own story: he had not dressed his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the king left. He explained that Ziba had deceived him and slandered him. David, perhaps unsure who was truthful, ordered the land divided. Mephibosheth answered, Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house. Old Barzillai declined a place at court but crossed the Jordan with David and received his kiss and blessing. The chapter ends ominously, as the men of Israel and Judah quarrel over the king, with Judah's words fiercer.

Show What You Know

What did Joab say David was showing his servants?
How did David win the hearts of Judah?
What did David declare about that day?
How did Mephibosheth's appearance tell its own story?
Why does the chapter end ominously?

Crossword

Across

So the king ____.
He fell down before the king and asked to be forgiven.

Down

So the king returned, and came to the ____.
The king arose, and sat in the ____.
An old man who helped David, eighty years old

Think About It

Joab's hard words helped David see what his people needed. How can you receive hard truth from others with humility?
Mephibosheth said, Let him take all, because the king had come in peace. What does his answer show about where true joy comes from?

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)

Copy It

Prayer

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

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How did David work to bring the tribes back together?
Why did the quarrel between Israel and Judah warn of more trouble?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Samuel 19: The King Comes Home

Read 2 Samuel 19

Worksheets

The King Comes Home

Prayer

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Welcome Home

Trace the Words

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Mini Maze

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Home in Peace

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Coming Home

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Back Home

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Mercy at the River

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Coming Home

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A Kingdom Restored

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Word Bank Fill-In

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Prayer

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Mercy, Loyalty, and Division

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

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Prayer

Take It Home

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