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.

David Returns to Jerusalem

While all of that was going on, the Israelites had run back to their homes. ⁹People from all of the tribes of Israel began to argue with one another. 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 because of 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 the priests Zadok and Abiathar. It 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?’

¹³“Say to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my own flesh and blood? From now on you will be the commander of my army in place of Joab. If that isn’t true, may God punish me greatly.’ ”

¹⁴So the hearts of all of the men of Judah were turned toward David. All of them had the same purpose in mind. They sent a message to the king. It said, “We want you to come back. We want all of 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.

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