8. Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And all [his followers] were told, The king is sitting in the gate, and they all came before the king. Now Israel [Absalom's troops] had fled, every man to his home.
9. And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king delivered us from the hands of our enemies, and he saved us from the hands of the Philistines. And now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.
10. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. So now, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?
11. And King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Say to the elders of Judah, Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, when the word of all Israel has come to the king, to bring him to his house?
12. You are my kinsmen; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?
13. And say to Amasa, Are you not of my bone and of my flesh? May God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of my army hereafter in place of Joab.
14. He inclined the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so they sent word to [him], Return, you and all your servants.