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1. People told Joab, "Look, the king is sad and crying because of Absalom."
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1. And it was told H5046 Joab H3097 , Behold H2009 , the king H4428 weepeth H1058 and mourneth H56 for H5921 Absalom H53 .
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2. David's army had won the battle that day. But it became a very sad day for all the people, because they heard that the king was very sad for his son.
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2. And the victory H8668 that H1961 day H3117 was turned into mourning H60 unto all H3605 the people H5971 : for H3588 the people H5971 heard H8085 say H559 that H1931 day H3117 how the king H4428 was grieved H6087 for H5921 his son H1121 .
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3. The people came into the city quietly that day. They were like an army that had been defeated in battle and had run away.
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3. And the people H5971 got H935 them by stealth H1589 that H1931 day H3117 into the city H5892 , as H834 people H5971 being ashamed H3637 steal away H1589 when they flee H5127 in battle H4421 .
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4. The king covered his face and cried loudly, "My son Absalom! Absalom, my son, my son!"
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4. But the king H4428 covered H3813 H853 his face H6440 , and the king H4428 cried H2199 with a loud H1419 voice H6963 , O my son H1121 Absalom H53 , O Absalom H53 , my son H1121 , my son H1121 !
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5. Joab went into the king's house and said, "Today you have shamed all your men. They saved your life and the lives of your sons, daughters, wives, and slave women.
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5. And Joab H3097 came H935 into the house H1004 to H413 the king H4428 , and said H559 , Thou hast shamed H3001 this day H3117 H853 the faces H6440 of all H3605 thy servants H5650 , which this day H3117 have saved H4422 H853 thy life H5315 , and the lives H5315 of thy sons H1121 and of thy daughters H1323 , and the lives H5315 of thy wives H802 , and the lives H5315 of thy concubines H6370 ;
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6. You have shamed them because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. Today you have made it clear that your commanders and men mean nothing to you. What if Absalom had lived and all of us were dead? I can see you would be pleased.
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6. In that thou lovest H157 H853 thine enemies H8130 , and hatest H8130 H853 thy friends H157 . For H3588 thou hast declared H5046 this day H3117 , that H3588 thou regardest neither H369 princes H8269 nor servants H5650 : for H3588 this day H3117 I perceive H3045 , that H3588 if H3863 Absalom H53 had lived H2416 , and all H3605 we had died H4191 this day H3117 , then H227 it had pleased thee well H5869 H3477 .
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7. Now go out and encourage your servants. I swear by the Lord that if you don't go out, no man will be left with you by tonight! That will be worse than all the troubles you have had from your youth until today."
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7. Now H6258 therefore arise H6965 , go forth H3318 , and speak H1696 comfortably H5921 H3820 unto thy servants H5650 : for H3588 I swear H7650 by the LORD H3068 , if H3588 thou go not forth H369 H3318 , there will not H518 tarry H3885 one H376 with H854 thee this night H3915 : and that H2063 will be worse H7489 unto thee than all H4480 H3605 the evil H7451 that H834 befell H935 H5921 thee from thy youth H4480 H5271 until H5704 now H6258 .
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8. So the king went to the city gate. When the news spread that the king was at the gate, everyone came to see him. All the Israelites who had followed Absalom had run away to their homes.
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8. Then the king H4428 arose H6965 , and sat H3427 in the gate H8179 . And they told H5046 unto all H3605 the people H5971 , saying H559 , Behold H2009 , the king H4428 doth sit H3427 in the gate H8179 . And all H3605 the people H5971 came H935 before H6440 the king H4428 : for Israel H3478 had fled H5127 every man H376 to his tent H168 .
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9. People 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.
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9. And all H3605 the people H5971 were H1961 at strife H1777 throughout all H3605 the tribes H7626 of Israel H3478 , saying H559 , The king H4428 saved H5337 us out of the hand H4480 H3709 of our enemies H341 , and he H1931 delivered H4422 us out of the hand H4480 H3709 of the Philistines H6430 ; and now H6258 he is fled H1272 out of H4480 the land H776 for H4480 H5921 Absalom H53 .
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10. We appointed Absalom to rule us, but now he has died in battle. We should make David the king again."
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10. And Absalom H53 , whom H834 we anointed H4886 over H5921 us , is dead H4191 in battle H4421 . Now H6258 therefore why H4100 speak H2790 ye H859 not a word of bringing H7725 H853 the king H4428 back?
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11. King David sent a message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, that said, "Speak to the older leaders 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?
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11. And king H4428 David H1732 sent H7971 to H413 Zadok H6659 and to H413 Abiathar H54 the priests H3548 , saying H559 , Speak H1696 unto H413 the elders H2205 of Judah H3063 , saying H559 , Why H4100 are H1961 ye the last H314 to bring H7725 H853 the king H4428 back to H413 his house H1004 ? seeing the speech H1697 of all H3605 Israel H3478 is come H935 to H413 the king H4428 , even to H413 his house H1004 .
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12. You are my brothers, my own family. Why are you the last tribe to bring back the king?'
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12. Ye H859 are my brethren H251 , ye H859 are my bones H6106 and my flesh H1320 : wherefore H4100 then are H1961 ye the last H314 to bring back H7725 H853 the king H4428 ?
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13. And 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!'"
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13. And say H559 ye to Amasa H6021 , Art thou H859 not H3808 of my bone H6106 , and of my flesh H1320 ? God H430 do H6213 so H3541 to me , and more H3254 also H3541 , if H518 thou be H1961 not H3808 captain H8269 of the host H6635 before H6440 me continually H3605 H3117 in the room H8478 of Joab H3097 .
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14. David 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."
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14. And he bowed H5186 H853 the heart H3824 of all H3605 the men H376 of Judah H3063 , even as the heart of one H259 man H376 ; so that they sent H7971 this word unto H413 the king H4428 , Return H7725 thou H859 , and all H3605 thy servants H5650 .
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15. Then 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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15. So the king H4428 returned H7725 , and came H935 to H5704 Jordan H3383 . And Judah H3063 came H935 to Gilgal H1537 , to go H1980 to meet H7125 the king H4428 , to conduct the king over H5674 H853 H4428 H853 Jordan H3383 .
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16. Shimei son of Gera, a Benjaminite who lived in Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
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16. And Shimei H8096 the son H1121 of Gera H1617 , a Benjamite H1145 , which H834 was of Bahurim H4480 H980 , hasted H4116 and came down H3381 with H5973 the men H376 of Judah H3063 to meet H7125 king H4428 David H1732 .
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17. With Shimei came a thousand Benjaminites. Ziba, the servant from Saul's family, also came, bringing his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They all hurried to the Jordan River to meet the king.
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17. And there were a thousand H505 men H376 of Benjamin H4480 H1144 with H5973 him , and Ziba H6717 the servant H5288 of the house H1004 of Saul H7586 , and his fifteen H2568 H6240 sons H1121 and his twenty H6242 servants H5650 with H854 him ; and they went over H6743 Jordan H3383 before H6440 the king H4428 .
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18. The people went across the Jordan to help bring the king's family back to Judah and to do whatever the king wanted. As the king was crossing the river, Shimei son of Gera came to him and bowed facedown on the ground in front of the king.
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18. And there went over H5674 a ferry boat H5679 to carry over H5674 H853 the king H4428 's household H1004 , and to do H6213 what he thought H5869 good H2896 . And Shimei H8096 the son H1121 of Gera H1617 fell down H5307 before H6440 the king H4428 , as he was come over H5674 Jordan H3383 ;
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19. He said to the king, "My master, don't hold me guilty. Don't remember the wrong I did when you left Jerusalem! Don't hold it against me.
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19. And said H559 unto H413 the king H4428 , Let not H408 my lord H113 impute H2803 iniquity H5771 unto me, neither H408 do thou remember H2142 H853 that which H834 thy servant H5650 did perversely H5753 the day H3117 that H834 my lord H113 the king H4428 went out H3318 of Jerusalem H4480 H3389 , that the king H4428 should take H7760 it to H413 his heart H3820 .
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20. I know I have sinned. That is why I am the first person from Joseph's family to come down and meet you today, my master and king!"
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20. For H3588 thy servant H5650 doth know H3045 that H3588 I H589 have sinned H2398 : therefore, behold H2009 , I am come H935 the first H7223 this day H3117 of all H3605 the house H1004 of Joseph H3130 to go down H3381 to meet H7125 my lord H113 the king H4428 .
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21. But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "Shimei should die because he cursed you, the Lord's appointed king!"
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21. But Abishai H52 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 answered H6030 and said H559 , Shall not H3808 Shimei H8096 be put to death H4191 for H8478 this H2063 , because H3588 he cursed H7043 H853 the LORD H3068 's anointed H4899 ?
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22. David said, "This does not concern you, sons of Zeruiah! Today you're against me! No one will be put to death in Israel today. Today I know I am king over Israel!"
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22. And David H1732 said H559 , What H4100 have I to do with you , ye sons H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 , that H3588 ye should this day H3117 be H1961 adversaries H7854 unto me? shall there any man H376 be put to death H4191 this day H3117 in Israel H3478 ? for H3588 do not H3808 I know H3045 that H3588 I H589 am this day H3117 king H4428 over H5921 Israel H3478 ?
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23. Then the king promised Shimei, "You won't die."
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23. Therefore the king H4428 said H559 unto H413 Shimei H8096 , Thou shalt not H3808 die H4191 . And the king H4428 swore H7650 unto him.
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24. Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also went down to meet King David. Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet, cut his beard, or washed his clothes from the time the king had left Jerusalem until he returned safely.
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24. And Mephibosheth H4648 the son H1121 of Saul H7586 came down H3381 to meet H7125 the king H4428 , and had neither H3808 dressed H6213 his feet H7272 , nor H3808 trimmed H6213 his beard H8222 , nor H3808 washed H3526 his clothes H899 , from H4480 the day H3117 the king H4428 departed H1980 until H5704 the day H3117 he came H935 again in peace H7965 .
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25. When Mephibosheth came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, "Mephibosheth, why didn't you go with me?"
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25. And it came to pass H1961 , when H3588 he was come H935 to Jerusalem H3389 to meet H7125 the king H4428 , that the king H4428 said H559 unto him, Wherefore H4100 wentest H1980 not H3808 thou with H5973 me, Mephibosheth H4648 ?
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26. He answered, "My master, my servant Ziba tricked me! I said to Ziba, 'I am crippled, so saddle a donkey. Then I will ride it so I can go with the king.'
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26. And he answered H559 , My lord H113 , O king H4428 , my servant H5650 deceived H7411 me: for H3588 thy servant H5650 said H559 , I will saddle H2280 me an ass H2543 , that I may ride H7392 thereon H5921 , and go H1980 to H854 the king H4428 ; because H3588 thy servant H5650 is lame H6455 .
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27. But he lied about me to you. You, my master and king, are like an angel from God. Do what you think is good.
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27. And he hath slandered H7270 thy servant H5650 unto H413 my lord H113 the king H4428 ; but my lord H113 the king H4428 is as an angel H4397 of God H430 : do H6213 therefore what is good H2896 in thine eyes H5869 .
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28. You could have killed all my grandfather's family. Instead, you put me with those people who eat at your own table. So I don't have a right to ask anything more from the king!"
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28. For H3588 all H3605 of my father H1 's house H1004 were H1961 but H3588 H518 dead H4194 men H376 before H6440 my lord H113 the king H4428 : yet didst thou set H7896 H853 thy servant H5650 among them that did eat H398 at thine own table H7979 . What H4100 right H6666 therefore have H3426 I yet H5759 to cry H2199 any more H5750 unto H413 the king H4428 ?
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29. The king said to him, "Don't say anything more. I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the land."
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29. And the king H4428 said H559 unto him, Why H4100 speakest H1696 thou any more H5750 of thy matters H1697 ? I have said H559 , Thou H859 and Ziba H6717 divide H2505 H853 the land H7704 .
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30. Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let Ziba take all the land now that my master the king has arrived safely home."
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30. And Mephibosheth H4648 said H559 unto H413 the king H4428 , Yea H1571 , let him take H3947 H853 all H3605 , forasmuch H310 H834 as my lord H113 the king H4428 is come again H935 in peace H7965 unto H413 his own house H1004 .
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31. Barzillai of Gilead came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king.
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31. And Barzillai H1271 the Gileadite H1569 came down H3381 from Rogelim H4480 H7274 , and went over H5674 Jordan H3383 with H854 the king H4428 , to conduct him over H7971 H853 Jordan H3383 .
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32. Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had taken care of the king when David was staying at Mahanaim, because Barzillai was a very rich man.
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32. Now Barzillai H1271 was a very H3966 aged H2204 man, even fourscore H8084 years H8141 old H1121 : and he H1931 had provided H853 the king H4428 of sustenance H3557 while he lay H7871 at Mahanaim H4266 ; for H3588 he H1931 was a very H3966 great H1419 man H376 .
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33. David said to Barzillai, "Cross the river with me. Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will take care of you."
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33. And the king H4428 said H559 unto H413 Barzillai H1271 , Come H5674 thou H859 over with H854 me , and I will feed H3557 thee with H5973 me in Jerusalem H3389 .
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34. But Barzillai answered the king, "Do you know how old I am? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem?
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34. And Barzillai H1271 said H559 unto H413 the king H4428 , How H4100 long H3117 H8141 have I to live H2416 , that H3588 I should go up H5927 with H854 the king H4428 unto Jerusalem H3389 ?
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35. I am eighty years old! I am too old to taste what I eat or drink. I am too old to hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you be bothered with me?
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35. I H595 am this day H3117 fourscore H8084 years H8141 old H1121 : and can I discern H3045 between H996 good H2896 and evil H7451 ? can H518 thy servant H5650 taste H2938 H853 what H834 I eat H398 or what H834 I drink H8354 ? can H518 I hear H8085 any more H5750 the voice H6963 of singing men H7891 and singing women H7891 ? wherefore H4100 then should thy servant H5650 be H1961 yet H5750 a burden H4853 unto H413 my lord H113 the king H4428 ?
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36. I am not worthy of a reward from you, but I will cross the Jordan River with you.
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36. Thy servant H5650 will go a little way over H5674 H4592 H853 Jordan H3383 with H854 the king H4428 : and why H4100 should the king H4428 recompense H1580 it me with such H2063 a reward H1578 ?
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37. Then let me go back so I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham, your servant. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever you want."
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37. Let thy servant H5650 , I pray thee H4994 , turn back again H7725 , that I may die H4191 in mine own city H5892 , and be buried by H5973 the grave H6913 of my father H1 and of my mother H517 . But behold H2009 thy servant H5650 Chimham H3643 ; let him go over H5674 with H5973 my lord H113 the king H4428 ; and do H6213 to him H853 what H834 shall seem H5869 good H2896 unto thee.
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38. The king answered, "Kimham will go with me. I will do for him anything you wish, and I will do anything for you that you wish."
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38. And the king H4428 answered H559 , Chimham H3643 shall go over H5674 with H854 me , and I H589 will do H6213 to him H853 that which shall seem H5869 good H2896 unto thee : and whatsoever H834 H3605 thou shalt require H977 of H5921 me, that will I do H6213 for thee.
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39. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned home, and the king and all the people crossed the Jordan.
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39. And all H3605 the people H5971 went over H5674 H853 Jordan H3383 . And when the king H4428 was come over H5674 , the king H4428 kissed H5401 Barzillai H1271 , and blessed H1288 him ; and he returned H7725 unto his own place H4725 .
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40. When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel led David across the river.
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40. Then the king H4428 went on H5674 to Gilgal H1537 , and Chimham H3643 went on H5674 with H5973 him : and all H3605 the people H5971 of Judah H3063 conducted H5674 H853 the king H4428 , and also H1571 half H2677 the people H5971 of Israel H3478 .
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41. Soon all the Israelites came to the king and said to him, "Why did our relatives, the people of Judah, steal you away? Why did they bring you and your family across the Jordan River with your men?"
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41. And, behold H2009 , all H3605 the men H376 of Israel H3478 came H935 to H413 the king H4428 , and said H559 unto H413 the king H4428 , Why H4069 have our brethren H251 the men H376 of Judah H3063 stolen thee away H1589 , and have brought H5674 H853 the king H4428 , and his household H1004 , and all H3605 David H1732 's men H376 with H5973 him , over H853 Jordan H3383 ?
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42. All the people of Judah answered the Israelites, "We did this because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry about it? We have not eaten food at the king's expense or taken anything for ourselves!"
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42. And all H3605 the men H376 of Judah H3063 answered H6030 H5921 the men H376 of Israel H3478 , Because H3588 the king H4428 is near of kin H7138 to H413 us: wherefore H4100 H2088 then be ye angry H2734 for H5921 this H2088 matter H1697 ? have we eaten at all H398 H398 of H4480 the king H4428 's cost ? or H518 hath he given us any gift H5379 H5375 ?
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43. The Israelites answered the people of Judah, "We have ten tribes in the kingdom, so we have more right to David than you do! But you ignored us! We were the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!" But the people of Judah spoke even more unkindly than the people of Israel.
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43. And the men H376 of Israel H3478 answered H6030 H853 the men H376 of Judah H3063 , and said H559 , We have ten H6235 parts H3027 in the king H4428 , and we H589 have also H1571 more right in David H1732 than H4480 ye: why H4069 then did ye despise H7043 us , that our advice H1697 should not H3808 be H1961 first H7223 had in bringing back H7725 H853 our king H4428 ? And the words H1697 of the men H376 of Judah H3063 were fiercer H7185 than the words H4480 H1697 of the men H376 of Israel H3478 .
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