2 Samuel 19:41

39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.

40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?

42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”
KJV
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
WEB
Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”
ASV
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David`s men with him?
DARBY
And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over the Jordan?
BLB
And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have stolen you away our brothers the men of Judah, and the king, and his house brought across the Jordan, and all the men of David with him?”
ÅB
Men da kom alle Israels menn til kongen og sa til ham: Hvorfor har våre brødre, Judas menn, stjålet deg bort og ført kongen og hans hus og alle Davids menn med ham over Jordan?
OTB
Og se, alle Israels menn kom til kongen og sa til ham: "Hvorfor har våre brødre, Judas menn, stjålet deg bort, og brakt kongen og hans hus over Jordan, og alle Davids menn med ham?"
B1930
Men da kom alle Israels menn til kongen og sa til ham: Hvorfor har våre brødre, Judas menn, stjålet dig bort og ført kongen og hans hus og alle Davids menn med ham over Jordan?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 8:1

    And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.

    Read in context
  • Judges 12:1

    And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:3

    And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 31:26–27

    And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?

    Read in context
  • John 7:5–6

    For neither did his brethren believe in him.

    Read in context