2 Samuel 19:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"

NIV: and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?"

NASB: However, Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now then, why are you silent about bringing the king back?'

CSB: But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?"

NLT: Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?'

KJV: And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

NKJV: But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”

Second Samuel 19:8–10 describes how Absalom's followers debated over whether to return to David. Absalom manipulated them into thinking he'd make a better king (2 Samuel 15:1–6), so they joined him in battle. But David's smaller army had both more experience and God's favor. Some in "Israel," the northern tribes, want to return their allegiance to David. Others aren't sure. After fighting with Judah over who loves David more, the skeptics will decide to revolt all over again (2 Samuel 9:41–43; 20:1–2, 14–22).

David comes home after a tragic and costly rebellion. His son Absalom is dead, and rebel fighters have fled back home (2 Samuel 18). David falls into self-indulgent grief until Joab reminds him of his soldiers' honor. On the journey back to the Jordan, David reconciles with Shimei, Mephibosheth, and the elders of Judah, and blesses Barzillai. The elders of the northern tribes arrive and argue with Judah over who loves the king more—the king they tried to kill. The first chance they get, the men from Israel leave and try to start another rebellion (2 Samuel 20:1–2).

David's son, Absalom, manipulated the elders of the tribes, convincing them that he would make a better king than David (2 Samuel 15—17). During the one-day civil war, Joab killed Absalom, against David's orders (2 Samuel 18). David falls into a very public expression of mourning until Joab tells him to honor his living servants, not his dead, traitorous son. On the way to Jerusalem, David tries to forgive his enemies. The elders of Israel claim to welcome him back. But after squabbling with the elders from Judah, they join a new rebellion (2 Samuel 10:1–2).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/12/2026 1:39:00 AM