2 Samuel 19:12

12 You are my brethren, you are my bone, and my flesh, why are you the last to bring back the king?

2 Samuel 19:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:12

Ye [are] my brethren, ye [are] my bones and my flesh
Being of the same tribe, and therefore he should deal gently with them, as if they were parts of his body; and not be severe upon them, for the hand they had in the conspiracy, as they might fear:

and wherefore then are ye the last to bring the king back?
since they were so nearly related to him, and he so ready to forgive them.

2 Samuel 19:12 In-Context

10 But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in the battle: how long are you silent, and bring not back the king?

11 And king David sent to Sadoc, and Abiathar the priests, saying: Speak to the ancients of Juda, saying: Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house? (For the talk of all Israel was come to the king in his house.)

12 You are my brethren, you are my bone, and my flesh, why are you the last to bring back the king?

13 And say ye to Amasa: Art not thou my bone, and my flesh? So do God to me and add more, if thou be not the chief captain of the army before me always in the place of Joab.

14 And he inclined the heart of all the men of Juda, as it were of one man: and they sent to the king, saying: Return thou, and all thy servants.