All the Israelites who had followed Absalom had run away to their homes. ⁹People in all the tribes of Israel began to argue, saying, “The king saved us from the Philistines and our other enemies, but he left the country because of Absalom. ¹⁰We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again.”

¹¹King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, that said, “Speak to the elders of Judah. Say, ‘Even in my house I have heard what all the Israelites are saying. So why are you the last tribe to bring the king back to his palace? ¹²You are my brothers, my own family. Why are you the last tribe to bring back the king?’ ¹³And say to Amasa, ‘You are part of my own family. May God punish me terribly if I don’t make you commander of the army in Joab’s place!’ ”

¹⁴David touched the hearts of all the people of Judah at once. They sent a message to the king that said, “Return with all your men.” ¹⁵Then the king returned as far as the Jordan River. The men of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and to bring him across the Jordan.

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Footnotes

ncity gate People came here to conduct business. Public meetings and court cases were also held here.