1Someone told Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom. He’s filled with sadness because his son has died.” 2The army had won a great battle that day. But their joy turned into sadness. That’s because someone had told the troops, “The king is filled with sorrow because his son is dead.” 3The men came quietly into the city that day. They were like fighting men who are ashamed because they’ve run away from a battle. 4The king covered his face. He cried loudly, “My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!”
5Then Joab went into the king’s house. He said to him, “Today you have made all your men feel ashamed. They have just saved your life. They have saved the lives of your sons and daughters. And they have saved the lives of your wives and concubines. 6You love those who hate you. You hate those who love you. The commanders and their troops don’t mean anything to you. You made that very clear today. I can see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 7Now go out there and cheer up your men. If you don’t, you won’t have any of them left with you by sunset. That will be worse for you than all the troubles you have ever had in your whole life. That’s what I promise you in the Lord’s name.”
8So the king got up and took his seat in the entrance of the city gate. His men were told, “The king is sitting in the entrance of the gate.” Then all of them came and stood in front of him.
While all of that was going on, the Israelites had run back to their homes.
David Returns to Jerusalem
9People from all the tribes of Israel began to argue among themselves. They were saying, “The king saved us from the power of our enemies. He saved us from the power of the Philistines. But now he has left the country to escape from Absalom. 10We anointed Absalom to rule over us. But he has died in battle. So why aren’t any of you talking about bringing the king back?”
11King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. David said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Tell them I said, ‘News has reached me where I’m staying. People all over Israel are talking about bringing me back to my palace. Why should you be the last to do something about it? 12You are my relatives. You are my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring me back?’ 13Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my own flesh and blood? You will be the commander of my army for life in place of Joab. If that isn’t true, may God punish me greatly.’ ”
14So the hearts of all the men of Judah were turned toward David. All of them had the same purpose in mind. They sent a message to the king. They said, “We want you to come back. We want all your men to come back too.” 15Then the king returned. He went as far as the Jordan River.
The men of Judah had come to Gilgal to welcome the king back. They had come to bring him across the Jordan. 16Shimei, the son of Gera, was among them. Shimei was from Bahurim in the territory of Benjamin. He hurried down to welcome King David back. 17There were 1,000 people from Benjamin with him. Ziba, the manager of Saul’s house, was with him too. And so were Ziba’s 15 sons and 20 servants. All of them rushed down to the Jordan River. That’s where the king was. 18They went across at the place where people usually cross it. Then they brought the king’s family back over with them. They were ready to do anything he wanted them to do.
Shimei, the son of Gera, had also gone across the Jordan. When he did, he fell down flat with his face toward the ground in front of the king. 19He said to him, “You are my king and master. Please don’t hold me guilty. Please forgive me for the wrong things I did on the day you left Jerusalem. Please forget all about them. 20I know I’ve sinned. But today I’ve come down here to welcome you. I’m the first member of Joseph’s whole family to do it.”
21Then Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for what he did? He cursed you. And you are the Lord’s anointed king.”
22But David replied, “You and Joab are sons of Zeruiah. What does this have to do with you? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel again?” 23So the king made a promise to Shimei. He said to him, “You aren’t going to be put to death.”
24Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson. He had also gone down to welcome the king back. He had not taken care of his feet. He hadn’t trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes. He hadn’t done any of those things from the day the king left Jerusalem until the day he returned safely. 25He came from Jerusalem to welcome the king. The king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”
26He said, “You are my king and master. I’m not able to walk. So I thought, ‘I’ll have a saddle put on my donkey. I’ll ride on it. Then I can go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba turned against me. 27He has told you lies about me. King David, you are like an angel of God. So do what you wish. 28You should have put all the members of my grandfather’s family to death, including me. Instead, you always provided what I needed. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to you?”
29The king said to him, “You don’t have to say anything else. I order you and Ziba to divide up Saul’s land between you.”
30Mephibosheth said to the king, “I’m happy that you have returned home safely. So just let Ziba have everything.”
31Barzillai had also come down to go across the Jordan River with the king. He wanted to send the king on his way from there. Barzillai was from Rogelim in the land of Gilead. 32He was very old. He was 80 years old. He had given the king everything he needed while the king was staying in Mahanaim. That’s because Barzillai was very wealthy. 33The king said to Barzillai, “Come across the river with me. Stay with me in Jerusalem. I’ll take good care of you.”
34But Barzillai said to the king, “I won’t live for many more years. So why should I go up to Jerusalem with you? 35I’m already 80 years old. I can hardly tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what isn’t. I can hardly taste what I eat and drink. I can’t even hear the voices of male and female singers anymore. So why should I add my problems to yours? 36I’ll go across the Jordan River with you for a little way. Why should you reward me by taking care of me? 37Let me go back home. Then I can die in my own town. I can be buried there in the tomb of my father and mother. But let Kimham take my place. Let him go across the river with you. Do for him whatever you wish.”
38The king said, “Kimham will go across with me. I’ll do for him whatever you wish. And I’ll do for you anything you wish.”
39So all the people went across the Jordan River. Then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and said goodbye to him. And Barzillai went back home.
40After the king had gone across the river, he went to Gilgal. Kimham had gone across with him. All the troops of Judah and half of the troops of Israel had taken the king across.
41Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king. They were saying to him, “Why did the men of Judah take you away from us? They are our relatives. What right did they have to bring you and your family across the Jordan River? What right did they have to bring all your men over with you?”
42All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel. They said, “We did that because the king is our close relative. So why should you be angry about what happened? Have we eaten any of the king’s food? Have we taken anything for ourselves?”
43Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah. They said, “We have ten of the 12 tribes in the kingdom. So we have a stronger claim on David than you have. Why then are you acting as if you hate us? Weren’t we the first ones to talk about bringing back our king?”
But the men of Judah argued their side even more forcefully than the men of Israel.
Yoab Ka Ɔhene Anim
1Ankyɛ na nkra duu Yoab nkyɛn se ɔhene no resu, redi awerɛhow wɔ Absalom ho. 2Bere a asraafo no tee ɔhene no awerɛhow a ɔredi wɔ ne ba no ho no, nkonimdi mu anigye a na wɔwɔ mu saa da no dan awerɛhow. 3Wowiaa wɔn ho kɔɔ kurow no mu sɛnea wɔn a wɔadi nkogu de aniwu guan fi ɔko mu. 4Ɔhene de ne nsa kataa nʼanim, kɔɔ so twaa adwo se, “Ao, me ba Absalom! Ao, Absalom, me ba, me ba!”
5Na Yoab kɔɔ ɔhene no dan mu kɔka kyerɛɛ no se, “Nnɛ yɛagye wo, ne wo mmabarima, ne wo mmabea, ne wo yerenom, ne wo mpenanom nkwa. Nanso woreyɛ eyi de gu yɛn anim ase te sɛ nea yɛayɛ bɔne bi. 6Wodɔ wʼatamfo, na wotan wʼadɔfo. Woada no adi nnɛ sɛ, yɛnsɛ hwee mma wo. Sɛ Absalom te ase, na yɛn nyinaa awuwu a, anka wopɛ no saa. 7Afei, fi kɔ mprempren, na kɔma asraafo no mo, na mebɔ Awurade din, ka ntam se, sɛ woanyɛ saa a, wɔn mu baako koraa nka ha anadwo yi. Na ɛbɛma woagyigya asen kan no.”
8Na ɔhene no fii adi kɔtenaa kurow no abɔntenpon no ano. Na asɛm no trɛw kurow no mu nyinaa sɛ ɔwɔ hɔ no, obiara kɔɔ ne nkyɛn. Saa bere no na Israelfo a wɔtaa Absalom akyi no nyinaa aguan kɔ wɔn afi mu. 9Na Israel mmusuakuw no nyinaa mu, na wɔredi abooboo, gye akyinnye. Na nnipa no reka se, “Ɔhene no gyee yɛn fii atamfo a wɔyɛ Filistifo nsam, nanso Absalom taa no, pam no fii ɔman no mu. 10Na mprempren Absalom a wɔsraa no sɛ ommedi yɛn so hene no nso awu. Momma yɛnkɔka nkyerɛ Dawid na ɔnsan mmra mmedi yɛn so.”
11Na ɔhene Dawid somaa asɔfo Sadok ne Abiatar, ma wokobisaa Yuda mpanyimfo se, “Adɛn nti na mo de, mompɛ sɛ mode ɔhene ahenni bɛsan ama no? Na mate sɛ Israel nyinaa ayɛ krado, na mo nko ara na motwentwɛn mo anan ase. 12Moyɛ mʼabusuafo, mʼabusuakuw, mʼankasa me honam ne me mogya. Na ɛno nti, adɛn nti na mutwa to wɔ wɔn a wɔpene sɛ mɛsan aba no mu?” 13Dawid ma wɔkɔka kyerɛɛ Amasa se, “Sɛ woyɛ me wɔfaase yi, sɛ manyɛ wo ɔsahene ansi Yoab anan mu a, Onyankopɔn ne me nni no nwenweenwen.”
14Afei, Amasa bɔɔ Yuda ntuanofo no nyinaa adafa, ma wotiee no sɛ nnipa koro. Wɔde saa asɛm yi kɔtoo ɔhene anim se, “Wo ne wɔn a wɔne wo wɔ hɔ no nyinaa mmra yɛn nkyɛn.”
Dawid San Kɔ Yerusalem
15Na ɔhene no de nʼani kyerɛɛ Yerusalem. Oduu Asubɔnten Yordan ho no, Yudafo behyiaa no sɛ wɔde no retwa asu no. 16Gera a ɔyɛ Benyaminni a ofi Bahurim babarima Simei ne Yuda mmarima yɛɛ ntɛm kohyiaa ɔhene Dawid. 17Ɔrekɔ no, na Benyaminfo apem ka ne ho, a na Siba a na ɔyɛ Saulo fi mu soodoni ne ne mmabarima dunum ne nʼasomfo aduonu ka ho. Wɔyɛɛ ntɛm dii ɔhene no kan koduu Yordan hɔ. 18Wotwa kɔɔ baabi a ɛhɔ nnɔ kɔfaa ɔhene fifo no de wɔn twaa asu no, na wɔyɛɛ nea wɔpɛ biara maa wɔn.
Bere a Gera ba Simei twaa asu no, kɔkotow ɔhene no, 19srɛɛ no se, “Me wura ɔhene, fa me bɔne kyɛ me. Nkae bɔne a wʼakoa yɛe bere a wufii Yerusalem no Ɔhene yi fi wʼadwene mu. 20Mahu bɔne a mayɛ, enti na madi kan wɔ Yosef abusua nyinaa mu rebekyia wo yi.”
21Na Seruia babarima Abisai kae se, “Simei sɛ owu, efisɛ ɔdomee nea Awurade asra no no.”
22Na Dawid bisae se, “Mo Seruia mma, dɛn na me ne mo wɔ yɛ? Nnɛ nyɛ da a wokum obi. Ɛyɛ anigye da! Masan mabedi hene wɔ Israel so bio!” 23Enti ɔhene no kaa ntam kyerɛɛ Simei se, “Wɔrenkum wo.”
Dawid Yɛ Mefiboset Adɔe
24Mefiboset a ɔyɛ Saulo nena nso kohyiaa ɔhene no bi. Efi bere a ɔhene kɔe no, na onsiesiee ne nan ase, nyii ne hweneanonwi, nhoroo ne ntade da, kosii sɛ ɔhene san baa asomdwoe mu no. 25Ɔhene no bisaa no se, “Mefiboset, adɛn nti na wo ne me ankɔ?”
26Obuae se, “Nana, me somfo Siba daadaa me. Meyɛ obubuafo nti, mekae se, ‘hyehyɛ mʼafurum ma me, na mentena ne so, sɛnea metumi ne ɔhene akɔ.’ 27Siba abɛsɛe me akyerɛ me wura ɔhene sɛ mampɛ sɛ meba. Nanso minim sɛ wote sɛ Onyankopɔn bɔfo; ne saa nti, yɛ nea wugye di sɛ eye. 28Biribiara mfata me ne me nenabarima asefo sɛ owu a ebefi me wura, ɔhene, nanso, woahyɛ me anuonyam wɔ wɔn a wodidi wo pon so no mu. Enti tumi bɛn na mewɔ sɛ mibisa ɔhene nea mehwehwɛ?”
29Ɔhene ka kyerɛɛ no se, “Adɛn nti na wʼasɛm aware? Mehyɛ mo sɛ, wo ne Siba nkyɛ nsase no mu.”
30Mefiboset ka kyerɛɛ ɔhene no se, “Sɛ me wura ɔhene asan aba fie dwoodwoo yi, ma Siba mfa biribiara.”
Dawid Yɛ Barsilai Adɔe
31Gileadni Barsilai nso fi Rogelim baa sɛ ɔrebɛboa ama ɔhene atwa Yordan. 32Na Barsilai abɔ akwakoraa a wadi mfe aduɔwɔtwe, na ɔyɛ ɔdefo kɛse. Ɔno na ɔmaa ɔhene biribi dii bere a na ɔte Mahanaim no. 33Ɔhene no ka kyerɛɛ Barsilai se, “Wo ne me ntwa, na wo ne me nkɔtena Yerusalem, na mɛhwɛ wo.”
34Nanso, Barsilai buaa ɔhene se, “Aka me nna ahe a ɛsɛ sɛ me ne wo kɔtena Yerusalem, Nana? 35Madi mfirihyia aduɔwɔtwe, na biribiara nyɛ me akɔnnɔ. Aduan ne nsa nyɛ me dɛ. Nnwontofo nne nso, merente na adesoa nko ara na mɛyɛ ama Nana. 36Anuonyam a mepɛ ara ne sɛ me ne Nana betwa asu no. 37Ma wo somfo nsan nʼakyi, sɛnea mewu wɔ me ara me kurom faako a wosiee mʼawofo. Na me babarima Kimham ni. Ma ɔne me wura ɔhene nkɔ na ade pa biara a wopɛ no, yɛ ma no.”
38Ɔhene no gye too mu kae se, “Eye, Kimham ne me bɛkɔ, na nea anka mɛyɛ ama wo no, mɛyɛ ama no.”
39Enti nnipa no nyinaa ne ɔhene twaa Yordan, ɔhene no yɛɛ Barsilai atuu, hyiraa no. Na Barsilai san kɔɔ ne kurom. 40Ɔhene faa Kimham kaa ne ho kɔɔ Gilgal. Yuda asraafo nyinaa ne Israel asraafo no mu fa de ɔhene twaa asu no.
Ɔhene Ho Akyinnyegye
41Ankyɛ, Israel mmarima nyinaa baa ɔhene hɔ bebisaa no se, “Adɛn nti na yɛn nuanom Yuda mmarima wiaa ɔhene kɔe, na wɔde Ɔhene ne ne fifo ne Dawid mmarima nyinaa a wɔka ne ho no akotwa Yordan aba?”
42Yuda mmarima nyinaa buaa Israel mmarima no se, “Yɛyɛɛ saa, efisɛ, ɔhene no yɛ yɛn busuani pɛɛ. Adɛn nti na mo bo afuw wɔ saa asɛm yi ho? Yɛannye no hwee na ɔno nso amma yɛn aduan anaa akyɛde biara nso.”
43Na Israel mmarima buaa Yuda mmarima no se, “Yɛwɔ mmusuakuw du wɔ Israel na ɛno nti yɛwɔ ɔhene no mu kyɛfa du. Na adɛn nti na mubu yɛn abomfiaa? Ɛnyɛ yɛn na yedii kan kae se, wɔmfa yɛn hene nsan mmra?”
Na Yuda mmarima no ano yɛɛ den sen Israel mmarima no.
