Today is the second day of June. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is wonderful to be here with you today as we continue to get moved into this brand new month.

And continue to take our steps forward together around the global campfire.

And our step forward today leads us back into the book of 2 Samuel and the life of King David, where... where Absalom's attempt David's son is attempt to overthrow his father as the King of Israel has been thwarted Absalom has died in the battle.

And David's in a conflicted position of incredible grief for the loss of his child, his son. While needing to congratulate the army that saved his life and killed his son.

So let's pick up the story. 2 Samuel chapter 19 verse 11 through 20 verse 13.

Then David sent Zadok and Abiyathar the priests to say to the elders of Judah,

Why are you the last ones to welcome back the King into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready.

You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood. So why are you the last ones to welcome back the King?

And David told them to tell Amasa, Since you are my own flesh and blood like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.

The Namasa 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.

So the King started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river.

Shimiai, son of Gira, the man from Bahurum in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David.

A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the House of Saul and Ziba's 15 sons and 20 servants.

They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the King. They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the King's household across the river, helping him in every way they could.

As the King was about to cross the river, Shimiai fell down before him.

My Lord, the King, please forgive me. You pleaded. Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem.

May the King put it out of his mind. I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel to greet my Lord the King.

Then Abbas Shai, son of Ziraya, said, Shimiai should die for he cursed the Lord's anointed King.

Ask your opinion, you sons of Ziraya. David exclaimed, why have you become my adversary today? This is not a day for execution.

For today I am once again the King of Israel. Then turning to Shimiai, David vowed, your life will be spared.

Now Mifibushaeth, Saul's grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the King. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard or washed his clothes since the day the King left Jerusalem.

Why didn't you come with me Mifibushaeth? The King asked him. Mifibushaeth replied, my Lord the King, my servant Ziba deceived me.

...