2 samuel 19:12 - You are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 19:12

What does "2 samuel 19:12" mean?


This verse from 2 Samuel 19:12 is part of King David's strategy to regain his throne after his son Absalom's rebellion. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:

Absalom's Rebellion: Absalom, David's son, had staged a coup and forced David to flee Jerusalem.

David's Victory: Absalom was killed in battle, and David's loyal army had won.

Hesitation to Invite David Back: The tribes of Israel, particularly Judah (David's own tribe), were slow to invite David back to resume his kingship.

Now, let's break down the verse:

"You are my brothers." This is a direct appeal to the men of Judah, emphasizing their kinship with David. He's reminding them of their shared heritage and blood ties.

"You are my bone and my flesh." This intensifies the feeling of familial connection. It's a very intimate and powerful statement, suggesting that they are deeply connected and should have a natural allegiance to him.

"Why then are you the last to bring back the king?" This is the crux of the matter. David is expressing his disappointment and frustration that his own tribe, the one he is closest to, is the last to act in restoring him to the throne. He's implying that they should have been the first and most enthusiastic to welcome him back.

In essence, the verse is a mixture of:

Emotional Appeal: David is appealing to their sense of family and loyalty.
Political Strategy: He's trying to shame them into action and take the lead in bringing him back.
Subtle Rebuke: He's gently scolding them for their hesitation and lack of initiative.

Why were they hesitant?

There are a few potential reasons for Judah's reluctance:

Guilt and Fear: They might have felt guilty for allowing Absalom to gain so much support in Judah and feared David's retribution.
Political Calculation: They might have been assessing the situation, waiting to see which way the wind was blowing before committing fully.
Regional Tensions: There might have been underlying tensions between Judah and the other tribes, with Judah perhaps wanting to maintain a certain level of autonomy.

By using this language of kinship, David is attempting to overcome these obstacles and solidify his support base, starting with his own tribe. He's essentially saying, "We're family, you should be the first ones welcoming me back. What's taking you so long?"

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