But Abshalom’s warriors had all returned to their homes 9 and over time, people all across Israel began to quarrel and say, “The king rescued us from the plans of our enemies including the Philistines, but now he’s left Israel and fled away from Abshalom. 10 We anointed Abshalom to be over us, but he died in the battle. So why aren’t we doing something about returning David as king?”

11 So King David sent the two priests Tsadok and Evyatar to the leaders of Yehudah to ask, “Why are you the last group to return the king to the palace since the king has heard that the rest of Israel want it? 12 Tell them, ‘You’re all my relatives—my own flesh and blood, so why would you be the last to support me again?’ ” 13 And tell Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my own flesh and bone? May God make me suffer if you don’t become my army commander from now on, to replace Yoav.’ ” 14 In that way, David united all the people of Yehudah and they notified the king, “We all want you and all your servants to return here.”

15 So the king headed back and reached the Yordan River, and men from Yehudah went to Gilgal to meet the king and help him across.

16 Shimei (son of Gera the Benyaminite from Bahurim) hurried down with the Yehudah men to meet King David.[ref] 17 A thousand Benyamite men came with him, as well as Tsiva (formerly Sha’ul’s servant) and fifteen of his sons and twenty of his servants, and they hurried to the Yordan to meet the king. 18 They crossed the ford to help bring the king’s household back across and anything else the king wanted.