2 Samuel 19

1 Pronto le dijeron a Joab: “El rey está llorando y haciendo duelo por Absalón”.

Someone told Joab that the king was crying and mourning because Absalom had died.

2 La victoria de ese día se convirtió en luto para todo el ejército, porque les dijeron: “El rey está de luto por su hijo”.

All of David’s soldiers became sad. Instead of rejoicing about defeating [the soldiers who had fought with Absalom], they were sad because they heard that the king was mourning because Absalom [was dead].

3 Aquel día volvieron a la ciudad como lo hacen los derrotados, avergonzados por haber huido de la batalla.

The soldiers returned to the city quietly, like [SIM] soldiers do when they are ashamed because they ran away from battle.

4 El rey se tomó el rostro entre las manos y sollozó en voz alta: “¡Hijo mío Absalón! Absalón, hijo mío, hijo mío!”

The king covered his face [with his hands] and kept crying loudly, “O, my son Absalom! O, Absalom, my son! My son!”

5 Entonces Joab entró y le dijo al rey: “Hoy has humillado a todos tus hombres que han salvado tu vida y la de tus hijos, tus hijas, tus esposas y tus concubinas.

Then Joab entered the room where the king was, and said to the king, “Today you have caused your soldiers to be ashamed! You have humiliated the men who saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and your ordinary wives and your slave wives!

6 Lo has hecho amando a los que te odian y odiando a los que te aman. Hoy has dejado claro que los comandantes y los hombres no significan nada para ti. Hoy estoy seguro de que serías muy feliz si Absalón estuviera vivo y todos nosotros estuviéramos muertos.

[It seems that] you love those who hate you and [that] you hate those who love you. You have caused it to be clear today that your commanders and your officers are not at all important to you. I think that if Absalom were still alive and we were all dead today, you would be happy.

7 Así que levántate, sal y da las gracias a tus hombres. Te juro por el Señor que si no lo haces, no te quedará ni un hombre para esta noche. Eso será mucho peor para ti que todos los desastres que has tenido desde tu juventud hasta ahora”.

So, now go and thank your soldiers [for what they did]. Because I solemnly declare that if you do not do that, none of them will still be with you by tomorrow morning and that would be worse [for you] than all the disasters/troubles that you have experienced since you were a boy.”

8 Entonces el rey se levantó y fue a sentarse a la puerta de la ciudad. A todos se les dijo: “Mira, el rey está sentado en la puerta de la ciudad”. Todos vinieron a ver al rey. Mientras tanto, los israelitas habían huido y se habían ido a sus casas.

So the king got up and went and sat near the city gate. And all the people were told, “Hey, the king is sitting at the gate!” So they all came and gathered around him. Meanwhile, all the Israeli troops [who had been with Absalom] had returned to their homes.

9 Todos entre las tribus de Israel discutían entre sí, diciendo: “El rey nos rescató de la persecución de nuestros enemigos, nos salvó de los filisteos, pero ahora ha tenido que huir del país por culpa de Absalón.

Then all the people throughout the tribes of Israel started to quarrel among themselves. They said to each other, “King David rescued us from the people of Philistia and from our other enemies. But now he has fled from Absalom and left Israel!

10 Ahora Absalón, el hombre que elegimos para ser nuestro rey al ungirlo, ha muerto en la batalla. ¿Por qué no hacemos algo e invitamos al rey David a volver?”

We appointed [MTY] Absalom to be our king, but he died in the battle [against David’s soldiers]. So (why does someone not try to bring King David back?/surely someone should try to bring King David back.)” [RHQ]

11 El rey David envió este mensaje a Sadoc y Abiatar, los sacerdotes: “Díganles a los ancianos de Judá: ‘¿Van a ser ustedes los últimos en llevar al rey a su palacio, ya que el rey ha oído que todo Israel lo quiere?

King David [found out what the people were saying. So he] sent the two priests, Zadok and Abiathar, to say to the leaders of Judah, “The king says that he has heard that all the Israeli people [want him to be king again]. And he says, ‘(Why should you be the last ones to bring me back to my palace?/It is not right that you be the last ones to bring me back to my palace.) [RHQ]

12 Ustedes son mis hermanos, mi propia carne y sangre. ¿Por qué tendrían que ser los últimos en querer el regreso del rey?’

You are my relatives; we have the same ancestor [IDM]. So (why should you be the last ones to bring me back?/you should certainly not be the last ones to bring me back.) [RHQ]’”

13 Díganle a Amasa: ‘¿No eres tú también mi carne y mi sangre? Que Dios me castigue muy severamente si a partir de ahora no eres tú el comandante de mi ejército en lugar de Joab’”.

And say to Amasa, “You are one of my relatives. I hope/desire that God strike me dead [IDM] if I do not appoint you to be, from now on, the commander of my army instead of Joab.”

14 Amasa convenció a todo el pueblo de Judá para que apoyara unánimemente a David, así que enviaron un mensaje al rey: “Por favor, regresa, tú y todos los que están contigo”.

[By sending that message to them, ] David convinced all the people of Judah [IDM] [that they should (be loyal to him/accept him as their king]). So they sent a message to the king, saying “We want you and all your officials to return here.”

15 El rey emprendió su viaje de regreso, y cuando llegó al Jordán, los hombres de Judá se reunieron con él en Gilgal para ayudarle a cruzar el río.

So the king [and his officials started back toward Jerusalem]. When they reached the Jordan [River], the people of Judah came there to Gilgal to meet the king, and to bring him across the river.

16 Simeí, hijo de Gera, el benjamita de Bahurim, se apresuró a bajar con los hombres de Judá a recibir al rey David.

Shimei, the man from the tribe of Benjamin, also came down quickly [to the river] with the people of Judah to meet King David.

17 Con él iban mil hombres de la tribu de Benjamín, incluyendo a Siba, siervo de la familia de Saúl, así como los quince hijos de Siba y veinte siervos. Se apresuraron a bajar al Jordán para recibir al rey.

There were 1,000 men from the tribe of Benjamin who came with him. And Ziba, who had been the servant of Saul, also hurried down to the Jordan [River], bringing 20 of his servants with him. They all came to the king,

18 Cruzaron por el vado para llevar la casa del rey y todo lo que éste quisiera. Simei cruzó el Jordán y cayó de bruces ante el rey.

and then they all [prepared to] take the king and all his family across the river, at the place where they could walk across it. They wanted to do whatever the king wanted them to do. As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei came to him and prostrated himself in front of the king.

19 “Su Majestad, por favor, perdóneme y no tenga en cuenta el mal que yo, su siervo, hice cuando Su Majestad salió de Jerusalén. Por favor, olvídelo todo.

He said to the king, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. Please do not keep thinking about the terrible thing that I did on the day that you left Jerusalem. Do not think about it any more.

20 Yo, tu siervo, reconozco que he pecado. Pero ¡mira! Hoy soy el primero de las tribus de José que baja a recibir a Su Majestad”.

Because I know that I have sinned. Look, I have come today, the first one from the northern tribes to come here to greet you today, Your Majesty.”

21 Abisai, hijo de Sarvia, dijo: “¿No debería ser ejecutado Simei por esto, por haber maldecido al ungido del Señor?”

But Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, said, “He cursed the one that Yahweh appointed [MTY] to be the king! So (should he not be executed for doing that?/he certainly should be executed for doing that.)” [RHQ]

22 Pero David respondió: “¿Qué tiene que ver eso con ustedes, hijos de Sarvia? ¿Quieren ser mis enemigos hoy? ¿Es este un día para ejecutar a alguien en Israel? ¿No estoy seguro de que hoy vuelvo a ser el rey de Israel?”

But David said, “You sons of Zeruiah, what am I going to do with you? (OR, you are not the ones who should decide [what to do to him]). [It is as though] you have become my enemies today. I know that I am the one who has now become the king of Israel, [so I say that] certainly no one [RHQ] in Israel should be executed today.”

23 David se volvió hacia Simei y le juró: “No vas a morir”.

Then the king said to Shimei, “I solemnly promise that I will not execute you.”

24 Entonces Mefi-boset, nieto de Saúl, fue a recibir al rey. Se había negado a cuidarse los pies, a recortarse el bigote y a lavarse la ropa desde el día en que el rey se fue hasta el día de su regreso pacífico.

Then Miphibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down [to the river] to greet the king. He had not washed his feet or trimmed his beard or washed his clothes, from the time that the king left Jerusalem until the day that he returned.

25 Cuando llegó de Jerusalén al encuentro del rey, éste le preguntó: “¿Por qué no has venido conmigo, Mefi-boset?”.

When he arrived from Jerusalem to greet the king, the king said to him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”

26 Mefi-boset respondió: “Su Majestad, mi siervo Ziba me engañó. Le dije: ‘Ensilla mi asno para que pueda montarlo y partir con el rey’, porque sabes que soy cojo.

He replied, “Your Majesty, [you know that] I am crippled. [When I heard that you were leaving Jerusalem, ] I said to my servant [Ziba], ‘Put a saddle on my donkey in order that I can ride on it and go with the king.’ But he deceived me [and left without me].

27 Siba me ha representado mal a mí, tu siervo, ante Su Majestad. Sin embargo, Su Majestad es como un ángel de Dios, así que haga lo que crea mejor.

And he lied to you about me. But, Your Majesty, you are [as wise] as God’s angel. So do whatever seems right to you.

28 Toda la familia de mi abuelo sólo podía esperar la muerte de Su Majestad, pero usted me incluyó a mí, su siervo, entre los que comen en su mesa. Entonces, ¿qué derecho tengo a pedirle al rey algo más?”.

All of my grandfather’s family expected/deserved that we would be executed. But [you did not execute me; ] you allowed me to eat food with you at your table! So I certainly do not have [RHQ] the right to request you for anything more.”

29 “¿Para qué hablar más de estos asuntos tuyos?” respondió David. “He decidido que tú y Siba se repartan la tierra”.

The king replied, “You certainly do not need to say any more. I have decided that you and Ziba will divide [equally] the land [that belonged to your grandfather Saul].”

30 Entonces Mefi-boset le contestó al rey: “¡Que se lo quede todo! Me alegro de que Su Majestad haya vuelto a casa en paz”.

Mephibosheth replied to the king, “Your Majesty, [I am content that] you have returned safely. So allow him to take all the land.”

31 Barzilai, el Galaadita, también había bajado de Rogelim para ayudar al rey a cruzar el Jordán y seguir su camino desde allí.

Barzillai, the man from [the] Gilead [region], had come down to the Jordan [River] from [his town of] Rogelim, to escort the king across the river.

32 Barzilai era muy anciano, de ochenta años de edad, y como era un hombre muy rico, le había proporcionado alimentos al rey mientras se encontraba en Mahanaim.

Barzillai was a very old man, 80 years old. He was a very wealthy man, and he had provided food for the king [and his soldiers] while they were at Mahanaim.

33 El rey le dijo a Barzilai: “Cruza el Jordán conmigo, y yo te mantendré mientras te quedes conmigo en Jerusalén”.

The king said to Barzillai, “Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will take care of you.”

34 “¿Cuánto tiempo crees que tengo que vivir para poder ir a Jerusalén y quedarme allí con el rey?” Barzilai respondió.

But Barzillai replied, “I certainly do not have [RHQ] many more years to live. So (why should I go with you to Jerusalem?/there is certainly no reason for me to go with you to Jerusalem.) [RHQ]

35 “Ya tengo ochenta años. Ya no disfruto de nada. No puedo saborear lo que como o bebo. No puedo oír cuando la gente canta. No tiene sentido que yo, tu siervo, sea otra carga para tu majestad.

I am now 80 years old. I do not [RHQ] know what is enjoyable and what is not enjoyable. I cannot [RHQ] enjoy what I eat and what I drink. I cannot [RHQ] hear the voices of men and women as they sing. So (why should I be another burden to you?/I do not want to be another burden to you.) [RHQ]

36 ¡Que tu siervo pueza cruzar el río Jordán con el rey es suficiente recompensa para mí!

I will cross the Jordan [River] with you and go a little further, and that will be all the reward that I need [for helping you].

37 Entonces, que tu siervo vuelva a su casa, para que yo muera en mi ciudad natal, cerca de la tumba de mi padre y de mi madre. Pero aquí está tu siervo, hijo mío Quimán. Deja que cruce con Tu Majestad, y trátalo como mejor te parezca”.

Then please allow me to return to my home, because that is where I want to die, near my parents’ grave. But here is [my son] Chimham. Your Majesty, allow him to go with you [and serve you], and do for him whatever seems good to you!”

38 El rey respondió: “Quimán cruzará conmigo, y yo lo trataré como mejor te parezca, y haré por ti lo que quieras”.

The king replied, “Okay, he will cross [the river] with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. And I will do for you whatever you want me to do.”

39 Así que todos cruzaron el Jordán primero, y luego cruzó el rey. El rey besó a Barzilai y lo bendijo, y luego Barzilai regresó a su casa.

Then King David and all the others crossed the Jordan [River]. He kissed Barzillai and [asked God to] bless him. Then Barzillai returned to his home.

40 Luego el rey siguió hasta Gilgal, y Quimán fue con él. Todo el ejército de Judá y la mitad del ejército de Israel acompañaron al rey.

[After they crossed the river, ] Chimham went with the king, and all the army of Judah and half the army of the other Israeli tribes escorted/accompanied the king to Gilgal.

41 Pero pronto los hombres de Israel que estaban allí se acercaron al rey y le preguntaron: “¿Por qué nuestros hermanos, los hombres de Judá, se llevaron en secreto a Su Majestad y lo llevaron a usted y a su casa al otro lado del Jordán, junto con todos sus hombres?”

Then all the soldiers from the other Israeli tribes came to the king and said, “(Why is it that our relatives, the men from Judah, took you away from us and wanted to be the only ones to escort you and your family across the river, along with all your men?/It is not right that our relatives, the men from Judah, took you away from us and wanted to be the only ones to escort you and your family across the river, along with all your men.) [RHQ] [Why did you not request us to do that]?” [RHQ]

42 Los hombres de Judá explicaron a los hombres de Israel: “Lo hicimos porque el rey es uno de nuestros parientes. ¿Por qué se molestan por esto? ¿Cuándo hemos comido la comida del rey? ¿Cuándo hemos recibido algo para ustedes?”

The soldiers from Judah replied, “We did it because the king is from Judah. So (why are you angry about that?/you should not be angry about that.) [RHQ] The king has never paid for our food, and he has never given us any gifts.”

43 “Tenemos diez acciones en el rey”, respondieron los hombres de Israel, “así que tenemos más derecho a David que ustedes. Entonces, ¿por qué nos desprecian? ¿No fuimos nosotros los primeros en hablar de recuperar a nuestro rey?” Pero los hombres de Judá argumentaron con más fuerza que los de Israel.

The men of the other Israeli tribes replied, “[There are ten tribes in Israel, and only one in Judah. So] it is ten times more right for us to say that David [is our king] than it is for you to say that. So why are you despising us [RHQ]? We were certainly [RHQ] the first ones to talk about bringing David back [to Jerusalem to be our king again].” But the men of Judah spoke more harshly than the men from the other tribes of Israel did.