2 Samuel 19:14

THE MESSAGE

He captured the hearts of everyone in Judah. They were unanimous in sending for the king: "Come back, you and all your servants."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So he won over all the men of Judah, and they unanimously sent word to the king: “Come back, you and all your servants.”

Hebrew Names Version
He bowed the heart of all the men of Yehudah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent to the king, [saying], Return you, and all your servants.

King James Version
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

Lexham English Bible
So he turned the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, and they sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your servants."

English Standard Version
And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants."

New Century Version
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."

New English Translation
He won over the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man. Then they sent word to the king saying, "Return, you and all your servants as well."

Amplified Bible
In this way he changed the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so they sent word to the king, "Return, you and all your servants."

New American Standard Bible
So he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."

Geneva Bible (1587)
So he bowed the heartes of all the men of Iudah, as of one man: therefore they sent to the King, saying, Returne thou with all thy seruants.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus he inclined the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."

Contemporary English Version
Soon the tribe of Judah again became followers of David, and they sent him this message: "Come back, and bring your soldiers with you."

Complete Jewish Bible
Also tell ‘Amasa, ‘You are my flesh and bone. May God bring terrible curses on me and worse ones yet if from now on you are not permanent commander of my army instead of Yo'av."

Darby Translation
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah as of one man; and they sent to the king, Return, thou and all thy servants.

Easy-to-Read Version
David touched the hearts of the people of Judah, and they all agreed as one. The people of Judah sent a message to the king, saying, "You and all your officers come back!"

George Lamsa Translation
And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man; so that they sent word to the king, saying, Return you and all your servants.

Good News Translation
David's words won the complete loyalty of all the men of Judah, and they sent him word to return with all his officials.

Literal Translation
And he inclined the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, and they sent to the king, Return, you and all your servants.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he bowed the hert of all the men of Iuda as of one man. And they sent vnto ye kynge: Come agayne, thou and all thy seruauntes:

American Standard Version
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent unto the king, saying, Return thou, and all thy servants.

Bible in Basic English
And the hearts of the men of Judah were moved like one man; so that they sent to the king, saying, Come back, with all your servants.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he bowed the heartes of all the men of Iuda, euen as the heart of one man, so that they sent [this word] to the king: Returne thou with all thy seruauntes.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.'

King James Version (1611)
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Iudah, euen as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word vnto the King, Returne thou and all thy seruants.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Juda as that of one man; and they sent to the king, saying, Return thou, and all thy servants.

English Revised Version
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent unto the king, [saying], Return thou, and all thy servants.

Berean Standard Bible
So Amasa swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Dauid bowide the herte of alle men of Juda as of o man; and thei senten to the kyng, and seiden, Turne thou ayen, and alle thi seruauntis.

Young's Literal Translation
And he inclineth the heart of all the men of Judah as one man, and they send unto the king, `Turn back, thou, and all thy servants.'

Update Bible Version
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent to the king, [saying], Return, you and all your slaves.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent [this word] to the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.

World English Bible
He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent to the king, [saying], Return you, and all your servants.

New King James Version
So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: "Return, you and all your servants!"

New Living Translation
Then Amasa convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, "Return to us, and bring back all who are with you."

New Life Bible
He changed the hearts of all the men of Judah as if they were one man. So they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."

New Revised Standard
Amasa swayed the hearts of all the people of Judah as one, and they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Thus bowed he the heart of all the men of Judah, as one man, - and they sent unto the king, Return, thou, and all thy servants.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he inclined the heart of all the men of Juda, as it were of one man: and they sent to the king, saying: Return thou, and all thy servants.

Revised Standard Version
And he swayed the heart of all the men of Judah as one man; so that they sent word to the king, "Return, both you and all your servants."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Thus he turned the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man, so that they sent word to the king, saying, "Return, you and all your servants."

Contextual Overview

⁹Meanwhile, the whole populace was now complaining to its leaders, "Wasn't it the king who saved us time and again from our enemies, and rescued us from the Philistines? And now he has had to flee the country on account of Absalom. And now this Absalom whom we made king is dead in battle. So what are you waiting for? Why don't you bring the king back?" ¹¹When David heard what was being said, he sent word to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, "Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why are you so laggard in bringing the king back home? You're my brothers! You're my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to bring the king back home?' And tell Amasa, ‘You, too, are my flesh and blood. As God is my witness, I'm making you the permanent commander of the army in place of Joab.'" ¹⁴ He captured the hearts of everyone in Judah. They were unanimous in sending for the king: "Come back, you and all your servants." ¹⁵So the king returned. He arrived at the Jordan just as Judah reached Gilgal on their way to welcome the king and escort him across the Jordan. Even Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down to join the men of Judah so he could welcome the king, a thousand Benjaminites with him. And Ziba, Saul's steward, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants, waded across the Jordan to meet the king and brought his entourage across, doing whatever they could to make the king comfortable. Shimei son of Gera bowed deeply in homage to the king as soon as he was across the Jordan and said, "Don't think badly of me, my master! Overlook my irresponsible outburst on the day my master the king left Jerusalem—don't hold it against me! I know I sinned, but look at me now—the first of all the tribe of Joseph to come down and welcome back my master the king!" Abishai son of Zeruiah interrupted, "Enough of this! Shouldn't we kill him outright? Why, he cursed God 's anointed!" But David said, "What is it with you sons of Zeruiah? Why do you insist on being so contentious? Nobody is going to be killed today. I am again king over Israel!" Then the king turned to Shimei, "You're not going to die." And the king gave him his word. Next Mephibosheth grandson of Saul arrived from Jerusalem to welcome the king. He hadn't combed his hair or trimmed his beard or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safe and sound. The king said, "And why didn't you come with me, Mephibosheth?" "My master the king," he said, "my servant betrayed me. I told him to saddle my donkey so I could ride it and go with the king, for, as you know, I am lame. And then he lied to you about me. But my master the king has been like one of God's angels: he knew what was right and did it. Wasn't everyone in my father's house doomed? But you took me in and gave me a place at your table. What more could I ever expect or ask?" "That's enough," said the king. "Say no more. Here's my decision: You and Ziba divide the property between you." Mephibosheth said, "Oh, let him have it all! All I care about is that my master the king is home safe and sound!" Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim. He crossed the Jordan with the king to give him a good send-off. Barzillai was a very old man—eighty years old! He had supplied the king's needs all the while he was in Mahanaim since he was very wealthy. "Join me in Jerusalem," the king said to Barzillai. "Let me take care of you." But Barzillai declined the offer, "How long do you think I'd live if I went with the king to Jerusalem? I'm eighty years old and not much good anymore to anyone. Can't taste food; can't hear music. So why add to the burdens of my master the king? I'll just go a little way across the Jordan with the king. But why would the king need to make a great thing of that? Let me go back and die in my hometown and be buried with my father and mother. But my servant Kimham here; let him go with you in my place. But treat him well!" The king said, "That's settled; Kimham goes with me. And I will treat him well! If you think of anything else, I'll do that for you, too." The army crossed the Jordan but the king stayed. The king kissed and blessed Barzillai, who then returned home. Then the king, Kimham with him, crossed over at Gilgal. The whole army of Judah and half the army of Israel processed with the king. The men of Israel came to the king and said, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, taken over as if they owned the king, escorting the king and his family and close associates across the Jordan?" The men of Judah retorted, "Because the king is related to us, that's why! But why make a scene? You don't see us getting treated special because of it, do you?" The men of Israel shot back, "We have ten shares in the king to your one. Besides we're the firstborn—so why are we having to play second fiddle? It was our idea to bring him back." But the men of Judah took a harder line than the men of Israel.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he bowed: The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be adopted for accomplishing this salutary end. David appears to take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in him might be naturally excited; and to oblige them yet farther, purposes to make Amasa general of the army, instead of Joab.

even: Judges 20:1, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 110:3, Acts 4:32

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:12 - my hand 2 Samuel 19:43 - our advice 2 Samuel 22:44 - delivered

Cross-References

Genesis 19:4
Before they went to bed men from all over the city of Sodom, young and old, descended on the house from all sides and boxed them in. They yelled to Lot, "Where are the men who are staying with you for the night? Bring them out so we can have our sport with them!"

Genesis 19:12
The two men said to Lot, "Do you have any other family here? Sons, daughters—anybody in the city? Get them out of here, and now! We're going to destroy this place. The outcries of victims here to God are deafening; we've been sent to blast this place into oblivion."

Genesis 19:14
Lot went out and warned the fiancés of his daughters, "Evacuate this place; God is about to destroy this city!" But his daughters' would-be husbands treated it as a joke.

Genesis 19:30
Lot left Zoar and went into the mountains to live with his two daughters; he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He lived in a cave with his daughters.

Exodus 12:31
Pharaoh called in Moses and Aaron that very night and said, "Get out of here and be done with you—you and your Israelites! Go worship God on your own terms. And yes, take your sheep and cattle as you've insisted, but go. And bless me."

2 Chronicles 30:10
So the couriers set out, going from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far north as Zebulun. But the people poked fun at them, treated them as a joke. But not all; some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun weren't too proud to accept the invitation and come to Jerusalem. It was better in Judah—God worked powerfully among them to make it unanimous, responding to the orders sent out by the king and his officials, orders backed up by the word of God .

Proverbs 29:1
For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them.

Jeremiah 20:7
You pushed me into this, God , and I let you do it. You were too much for me. And now I'm a public joke. They all poke fun at me. Every time I open my mouth I'm shouting, "Murder!" or "Rape!" And all I get for my God -warnings are insults and contempt. But if I say, "Forget it! No more God -Messages from me!" The words are fire in my belly, a burning in my bones. I'm worn out trying to hold it in. I can't do it any longer! Then I hear whispering behind my back: "There goes old ‘Danger-Everywhere.' Shut him up! Report him!" Old friends watch, hoping I'll fall flat on my face: "One misstep and we'll have him. We'll get rid of him for good!"

Jeremiah 51:6
"Get out of Babylon as fast as you can. Run for your lives! Save your necks! Don't linger and lose your lives to my vengeance on her as I pay her back for her sins. Babylon was a fancy gold chalice held in my hand, Filled with the wine of my anger to make the whole world drunk. The nations drank the wine and they've all gone crazy. Babylon herself will stagger and crash, senseless in a drunken stupor—tragic! Get anointing balm for her wound. Maybe she can be cured."

Ezekiel 20:49
And I said, "O God , everyone is saying of me, ‘He just makes up stories.'"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man,.... This the Jewish commentators generally understand of Amasa that he used his interest with the men of Judah, and so wrought upon them, that they agreed as one man to send for the king, and bring him back; but it seems best to understand it of David, who by these gentle methods, kind messages, and affectionate speeches, powerfully inclined and engaged the hearts of the people towards him; so that they were unanimously and affectionately agreed to restore him: in this way David chose to return; he could have come without their leave, or any invitation from them, as he was their lawful king, and a victorious one, the rebellion being crushed; and had it in his power to chastise those concerned in it, and use them with severity; but he chose rather to gain the hearts of his people, and to come in a way peaceable to them, and honourable to himself:

so that they sent [this word] unto the king, return thou and all thy servants; perhaps by the same messengers that David sent; or it may be, rather for honour's sake they deputed some of their principal men to wait on David, and invite him to return to them with all his retinue and army, promising allegiance and fidelity to him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Samuel 19:14. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah — The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be to accomplish this salutary end. Appear to distrust those whom you have some reason to suspect, and you increase their caution and distrust. Put as much confidence in them as you safely can, and this will not fail to excite their confidence towards you.