6. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. Today, you have made it clear that your commanders and servants mean nothing to you. I think you would be pleased if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead.
7. Now, get up, go out, and encourage your men. I swear to you by the Lord that if you don’t go out, no one will stay with you tonight, and that will be worse than all the trouble you’ve had in your entire life.”
8. The king sat in the gateway. When all the troops were told, “The king is sitting in the gateway,” they came to the king.Meanwhile, Israel had fled and went back to their own homes.
9. All the people in all the tribes of Israel were arguing with one another, saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but now he has fled from Absalom and left the country.
10. However, Absalom, whom we anointed to rule us, has died in battle. Why is no one talking about bringing back the king?”
11. What all Israel was saying reached the king at his house. So King David sent ⌊this message⌋ to the priests Zadok and Abiathar: “Ask the leaders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last ⌊tribe⌋ to bring the king back to his palace?
12. You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. Why should you be the last to bring back the king?’
13. And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my flesh and blood? May God strike me dead unless you are given Joab’s place to serve me always as the commander of the army.’ ”
14. All the people of Judah were in total agreement. So they sent the king this message: “Come back with all your servants.”
15. The king came back to the Jordan River, and the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet the king and bring him across the Jordan River.
16. Shimei, Gera’s son from the tribe of Benjamin and the town of Bahurim, hurried down with the people of Judah to meet King David.
17. One thousand people from Benjamin were with him. And Ziba, the servant of Saul’s family, rushed to the Jordan River across from the king. Ziba brought his 15 sons and 20 servants.
18. They crossed the river to bring over the king’s family and to do anything else the king wanted.Shimei, Gera’s son, bowed down in front of the king as he was going to cross the Jordan River.
19. He pleaded with the king, “Don’t remember the crime I committed the day you left Jerusalem. Don’t hold it against me or even think about it, Your Majesty.
20. I know I’ve sinned. Today I’ve come as the first of all the house of Joseph to meet you.”
21. But Abishai, Zeruiah’s son, replied, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for cursing the Lord’s anointed king?”
22. David responded, “Are you sure we’re from the same family, sons of Zeruiah? You are my enemies today. Should anyone in Israel be killed today? Don’t I know that I’m king of Israel again?”
23. The king promised Shimei, “You won’t die,” and the king swore to it.