1And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 2And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.19.2 victory: Heb. salvation, or, deliverance 3And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 5And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; 6In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.19.6 In…: Heb. By loving, etc19.6 that thou regardest…: Heb. that princes or servants are not to thee 7Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.19.7 comfortably…: Heb. to the heart of thy servants 8Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
9¶ And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. 10And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?19.10 speak…: Heb. are ye silent?
11¶ And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. 12Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? 13And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. 14And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. 15So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
16¶ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. 17And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. 18And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;19.18 what…: Heb. the good in his eyes 19And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. 21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed? 22And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? 23Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
24¶ And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. 25And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? 26And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. 27And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. 28For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?19.28 dead…: Heb. men of death 29And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. 30And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
31¶ And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. 34And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?19.34 How…: Heb. How many days are the years of my life 35I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. 38And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.19.38 require: Heb. choose 39And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
40Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.19.40 Chimham: Heb. Chimhan
41¶ And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan? 42And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift? 43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.19.43 despise…: Heb. set us at light
1Yowabu anawuzidwa kuti, “Mfumu ikulira maliro a Abisalomu.” 2Ndipo kwa asilikali onse chipambano cha tsiku limenelo chinasandulika maliro, chifukwa tsiku limenelo anthu anamva kuti mfumu ili pa chisoni chachikulu chifukwa cha mwana wake. 3Ankhondo analowa mu mzinda mwakachetechete tsiku limenelo ngati momwe amalowera anthu mwamanyazi chifukwa athawa ku nkhondo. 4Mfumu inaphimba nkhope yake ndipo inalira mofuwula, “Iwe mwana wanga Abisalomu! Iwe Abisalomu, mwana wanga, mwana wanga!”
5Kenaka Yowabu analowa mʼnyumba ya mfumu nafika kwa mfumuyo ndipo anati, “Lero mwachititsa manyazi asilikali anu onse, amene apulumutsa moyo wanu ndiponso moyo wa ana anu aamuna ndi aakazi, kudzanso moyo wa akazi anu ndi wa azikazi anu. 6Inu mumakonda amene amadana nanu ndipo mumadana ndi amene amakukondani. Inuyo mwaonetsa lero poyera kuti simusamala za atsogoleri anu a nkhondo ndi asilikali awo. Ine ndikuona kuti inu mukanakondwera ngati Abisalomu akanakhala ndi moyo lero, tonsefe titafa. 7Tsopano pitani mukawalimbikitse asilikali anu. Ine ndikulumbira mwa Yehova kuti ngati inu simupita palibe munthu amene adzatsale ali ndi inu polowa dzuwa. Ichi chidzakhala choyipa kwambiri kuposa zovuta zonse zimene zinakugwerani kuyambira muli mnyamata mpaka lero.”
8Kotero mfumu inanyamuka ndipo inakhala pa mpando wake pa chipata. Pamene asilikali anawuzidwa kuti, “Mfumu yakhala pa chipata,” onse anabwera kwa iye.
Davide Abwerera ku Yerusalemu
Nthawi imeneyi nʼkuti Aisraeli atathawira ku nyumba zawo. 9Pakati pa mafuko onse a Israeli, anthu amakangana ndipo amati, “Mfumu inatipulumutsa mʼmanja mwa adani anthu. Iye ndi amene anatilanditsa mʼdzanja la Afilisti. Koma tsopano wathawa mʼdziko muno chifukwa cha Abisalomu. 10Ndipo Abisalomu amene ife tinamudzoza kuti atilamulire wafa pa nkhondo. Tsono nʼchifukwa chiyani simukunena kanthu za kubweretsanso mfumu?”
11Mfumu Davide inatumiza uthenga uwu kwa ansembe Zadoki ndi Abiatara, “Funsani akuluakulu a Yuda, ‘Nʼchifukwa chiyani inu mukukhala otsiriza kuyitana mfumu ku nyumba yake yaufumu, pakuti zimene zikunenedwa mu Israeli yense zamveka kwa mfumu ndi onse amene akukhala nayo. 12Inu ndinu abale anga enieni, mafupa anga ndi mnofu wanga. Nʼchifukwa chiyani inuyo mukukhala otsiriza kubweretsa mfumu?’ 13Ndipo munene kwa Amasa, ‘Kodi iwe si mʼbale wanga weniweni? Mulungu andilange, andilange kwambiri ngati kuyambira tsopano sukhala mtsogoleri wa ankhondo anga kulowa mʼmalo mwa Yowabu.’ ”
14Davide anakopa mitima ya anthu onse a Yuda ndipo anthuwo anakhala ngati munthu mmodzi. Iwo anatumiza mawu kwa mfumu, “Bwererani inu ndi anthu anu onse.” 15Kotero mfumu inabwerera ndipo inakafika mpaka ku Yorodani.
Tsono anthu a ku Yuda anabwera ku Giligala kuti akakumane ndi mfumu ndi kumuwolotsa Yorodani. 16Simei mwana wa Gera, wa fuko la Benjamini wa ku Bahurimu, anabwera mofulumira pamodzi ndi Ayuda kudzakumana ndi mfumu Davide. 17Iyeyo anali ndi anthu 1,000 a fuko la Benjamini pamodzi ndi Ziba, wantchito wa banja la Sauli ndi ana ake aamuna khumi ndi asanu ndi antchito ake makumi awiri. Iwo anathamangira ku Yorodani kumene kunali mfumu. 18Iwo anawoloka mtsinje kukatenga banja lonse la mfumu ndi kuchita zonse zimene mfumuyo imafuna.
Pamene Simei mwana wa Gera anawoloka Yorodani, anagwa pansi chafufumimba pamaso pa mfumu, 19ndipo anati, “Mbuye wanga musaganizire za kulakwa kwanga. Musakumbukire zolakwa zimene mtumiki wanu anakuchitirani tsiku limene mbuye wanga mfumu mumachoka mu Yerusalemu. Mfumu musazikumbukirenso zimenezi. 20Pakuti ine mtumiki wanu ndazindikira kuti ndachimwa. Koma lero ndabwera ngati woyamba wa nyumba ya Yosefe yonse kudzakumana nanu mbuye wanga mfumu.”
21Ndipo Abisai mwana wa Zeruya anati, “Kodi Simei saphedwa chifukwa cha ichi? Iye anatukwana wodzozedwa wa Yehova.”
22Davide anayankha kuti, “Kodi inu ana a Zeruya, ndikuchitireni chiyani? Lero lino iwe wakhala mdani wanga! Kodi wina aphedwe lero mu Israeli? Kodi ine sindikudziwa kuti lero ndine mfumu mu Israeli?” 23Ndipo mfumu inati kwa Simei, “Iwe Simei suphedwa.” Ndipo mfumuyo inalonjeza ndi lumbiro.
24Mefiboseti, mdzukulu wa Sauli, nayenso anabwera kudzakumana ndi mfumu. Kuyambira tsiku limene mfumu inachoka mpaka tsiku limene inabwerera mu mtendere, iye sanasambe mapazi kaya kumeta ndevu kapena kuchapa zovala zake. 25Pamene anafika kuchokera ku Yerusalemu kudzakumana ndi mfumu, mfumu inamufunsa kuti, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani sunapite nane Mefiboseti?”
26Iye anayankha kuti, “Mbuye wanga mfumu, pakuti ine wantchito wanu ndine wolumala. Ndinati, ‘Andikonzere chishalo cha bulu wanga ndipo ndidzakwera kuti ndipite ndi mfumu.’ Koma Ziba wantchito wanga anandilakwitsa. 27Ndipo wayankhula zosinjirira za ine mtumiki wanu kwa inu mbuye wanga mfumu. Mbuye wanga mfumu ali ngati mngelo wa Mulungu ndipo chitani chimene chikukomerani. 28Zidzukulu zonse za agogo anga sizinayenera chilichonse koma imfa kuchokera kwa inu mbuye wanga mfumu, koma inu munapereka malo kwa mtumiki wanu pakati pa amene amadya pa tebulo lanu. Tsono ine ndili ndi chiyaninso kuti ndipitirize kudandaula kwa mfumu?”
29Mfumu inayankha kuti, “Uneneranji zambiri? Ine ndikulamula kuti iwe ndi Ziba mugawane minda.”
30Mefiboseti anati kwa mfumu, “Muloleni atenge zonse, pakuti tsopano mbuye wanga mwafika kwanu mu mtendere.”
31Barizilai Mgiliyadi anabweranso kuchokera ku Rogelimu kudzawoloka Yorodani ndi mfumu ndi kumuperekeza kuchokera kumeneko. 32Tsono Barizilai anali wokalamba kwambiri, wa zaka makumi asanu ndi atatu. Iye ndi amene anapereka zinthu kwa mfumu pamene anali ku Mahanaimu pakuti anali wolemera kwambiri. 33Mfumu inati kwa Barizilai, “Woloka nane ndipo ukakhale ndi ine mu Yerusalemu ndipo ineyo ndidzakusamalira.”
34Barizilai anayankha mfumu kuti, “Kodi zakhala zaka zingati zoti ndikhale ndi moyo, kuti ndipite ku Yerusalemu ndi mfumu? 35Ine tsopano ndili ndi zaka 80. Kodi ndingathe kusiyanitsa pakati pa chabwino ndi choyipa? Kodi mtumiki wanu angathe kuzindikira kukoma kwa zimene akudya ndi kumwa? Kodi ndingathe kumva kuyimba kwa amuna ndi akazi? Nʼchifukwa chiyani wantchito wanu akakhale ngati katundu kwa mbuye wanga mfumu? 36Koma ine mtumiki wanu ndingoyenda pangʼono kuti ndiwoloke Yorodani pamodzi ndi mfumu. Amfumu mungandipatsirenji mphotho yotere? 37Muloleni, mtumiki wanu abwerere, kuti ndikafere kwathu pafupi ndi manda a abambo ndi amayi anga. Koma nayu mtumiki wanu Kimuhamu. Muloleni iye awoloke nanu mbuye wanga mfumu. Mumuchitire chilichonse chimene chikukomereni!”
38Mfumu inati, “Kimuhamu adzawoloka ndi ine, ndipo ndidzamuchitira iye chilichonse chimene chidzakondweretsa iwe. Ndipo chilichonse chimene udzandipempha ine ndidzakuchitira.”
39Kotero anthu onse anawoloka Yorodani ndipo kenaka mfumu inawoloka. Mfumu inapsompsona Barizilai ndi kumupatsa madalitso ndipo Barizilaiyo anabwerera kwawo.
40Pamene mfumu inawolokera ku Giligala, Kimuhamu anawoloka naye. Ankhondo onse a Yuda ndi theka la ankhondo a Israeli onse anaperekeza mfumu.
41Kenaka Aisraeli onse amabwera kwa mfumu nʼkumati kwa iye, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani abale athu, anthu a ku Ayuda, anakubani mfumu, nawoloka nanu Yorodani inu ndi banja lanu, pamodzi ndi anthu ake onse?”
42Ayuda onse anayankha Aisraeli kuti, “Ife timachita zimenezi chifukwa mfumu ndi mʼbale wathu. Nʼchifukwa chiyani inu mwapsa mtima ndi zimenezi? Kodi ife tinadya chakudya chilichonse cha mfumu? Kodi chilipo chimene ife tatenga kukhala chathu?”
43Aisraeli anayankha Ayuda kuti, “Ife ndi magawo khumi mwa mfumu imeneyi, ndipo kuwonjezera apo, ife tili ndi zinthu zambiri mwa Davide kuposa inu. Tsono nʼchifukwa chiyani mukutichita chipongwe? Kodi ife si amene tinayamba kunena za kubweretsa mfumu yathu?”
Koma anthu a Yuda anayankha mwaukali kwambiri kupambana anthu a ku Israeli.
