2 Samuel 19:12 kjv
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
2 Samuel 19:12 nkjv
You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?'
2 Samuel 19:12 niv
You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?'
2 Samuel 19:12 esv
You are my brothers; you are my bone and my flesh. Why then should you be the last to bring back the king?'
2 Samuel 19:12 nlt
You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?"
2 Samuel 19 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:23 | Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh... | Origin of "bone and flesh" idiom of unity. |
| Judg 9:2 | "Speak in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem: 'Which is better for you...?'' | Appeal to shared identity/kinship for power. |
| 1 Chr 11:1 | Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh." | Similar declaration of kinship for David. |
| Isa 58:7 | Is it not to share your bread with the hungry... and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? | Broader application of kinship for care. |
| Gen 29:14 | Then Laban said to him, "Surely you are my bone and my flesh!" | Laban to Jacob, emphasizing close familial ties. |
| Judg 9:3 | Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." | Kinship as a basis for allegiance. |
| Deut 17:15 | ...you may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. | Emphasizing kinship for kingship/leadership. |
| Gen 37:27 | Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh. | Brotherly tie appealing for non-harm. |
| Rom 9:3 | For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. | Paul's profound identification with kin. |
| Pss 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! | Return of king implies God's blessing. |
| Pss 4:6 | There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" | Longing for leader's restoration. |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | King's role in wider salvation/return. |
| Zec 9:9 | Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you... | Prophetic longing for king's return. |
| Matt 21:5 | "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" | Fulfillment in Christ's triumphant entry. |
| Luke 19:40 | He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." | Pressure on followers to declare/act. |
| Phil 2:29 | So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, | Welcoming back a faithful servant. |
| Num 10:25 | Then the rear guard of all the camps of the Danites moved last by their companies. | Concept of being "last" or delayed. |
| Isa 60:3 | And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. | People bringing the king's glory. |
| Jer 3:22 | "Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God." | Call to return and subsequent repentance. |
| Joel 2:12-13 | "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart... Rend your hearts and not your garments." | Call for a change of heart/loyalty. |
| 2 Sam 15:10 | Absalom sent secret messengers through all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron!'" | Previous tribal appeals for rival kingship. |
| 2 Sam 19:9 | And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies..." | Prior debate about bringing back the king. |
| Acts 2:36 | Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. | Ultimate restoration of a rejected King. |
2 Samuel 19 verses
2 Samuel 19 12 Meaning
The verse captures King David's direct appeal to the men of Judah following Absalom's rebellion and defeat. It serves as a rhetorical plea and a reminder of their profound kinship, stating "You are my kinsmen; you are my bone and my flesh." David questions why they, his closest relatives and foundational support, would be among the last to participate in his restoration to the throne, implying a sense of urgency and obligation for their proactive role in bringing him back to Jerusalem as king. This appeal aims to re-establish their loyalty and ensure their leading role in his return, given the hesitancy observed in their tribe.
2 Samuel 19 12 Context
This verse is situated immediately after the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. King David, having secured victory, is returning from Mahanaim to Jerusalem. However, there is a clear tension and struggle over who should initiate his return and how it should be orchestrated. The tribes of Israel (the northern tribes) had already sent word expressing their desire for David's return, arguing that he had delivered them in the past (2 Sam 19:8-10). Judah, David's own tribe and the primary base of Absalom's rebellion, appears to be slow or hesitant to act. David's appeal in this verse is a calculated political move to re-secure Judah's loyalty, win them back from any lingering allegiance to Absalom, and ensure they lead the procession of his return, thus validating his kingship from his foundational support group. He uses their familial connection to apply pressure, acknowledging their significant role but challenging their perceived delay. This act by David is crucial for his continued rule and reconciliation after the severe division wrought by the rebellion.
2 Samuel 19 12 Word analysis
- You: This directly addresses the men of Judah, David's own tribe, highlighting the personal and tribal nature of the appeal.
- are my kinsmen; The Hebrew term is qā·rōḇ (קָרוֹב), meaning "near," "close," or "kin." It signifies a relational proximity and a shared lineage, emphasizing their family bond. David leverages this inherent connection to underscore their loyalty and responsibility to him as their king and relative.
- you are my bone and my flesh. The Hebrew phrases are `e·ṣem bā·`eṣem (עֶצֶם בְּעַצְמִי) and u·ḇə·śā·rī (וּבְשָׂרִי), literally "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." This is a profoundly intimate expression of kinship, echoing Gen 2:23 where Adam declares Eve as "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh." It denotes not just relationship, but inherent identity, unity, and a fundamental shared being. David uses this powerful, almost covenantal, language to remind Judah that their identity is intertwined with his, and thus their loyalty should be unquestioning and proactive. It asserts that Judah is distinct and intimately connected to David above all other tribes.
- Why then This interrogative adverb phrase (מַדּוּעַ maddûaʿ) poses a rhetorical question, expressing surprise, disappointment, and an implied challenge. It's designed to prompt reflection and action, indicating that their current behavior (hesitancy) is inconsistent with their stated or implied identity and obligation.
- will you be the last The word a·ḥă·rō·nîm (אַחֲרֹנִים) means "last ones" or "those at the end." David highlights their perceived tardiness compared to the other tribes (referred to in 2 Sam 19:11 as "all Israel"), who have already shown willingness to bring the king back. This serves to shame and provoke Judah into taking the lead, appealing to their tribal pride and the historical precedence of being David's closest supporters. It implies they are lagging in a critical moment of national importance.
- to bring back the king? This phrase clearly states the urgent task at hand: the reinstatement of David as the legitimate monarch. The verb hê·šîḇ (הֵשִׁיב) means "to bring back" or "to restore." It underscores that David views himself as the rightful king and expects his most intimate kinsmen to be the primary agents of his restoration to power and to the capital.
- You are my kinsmen; you are my bone and my flesh: This emphatic double affirmation of kinship serves as the foundational argument for David's plea. It is not merely a statement of biological connection, but a profound appeal to identity, shared destiny, and unique privilege. By using "bone and my flesh," David invokes a covenantal language of indivisibility, making their relationship transcend mere tribal allegiance to a deeper, almost familial bond. This emphasizes Judah's special place and primary responsibility towards him.
- Why then will you be the last to bring back the king?: This combined phrase reveals David's masterful blend of strategy and emotional appeal. The rhetorical question directly challenges Judah's apparent slowness or hesitancy. It positions them, his closest relatives, as falling short in their loyalty, especially when "all Israel" (the northern tribes) are showing initiative. David implicitly questions their devotion and tribal pride, urging them to act quickly and prominently in his restoration. This political maneuver is designed to secure Judah's immediate and unequivocal commitment to his reign, preventing any further tribal divisions or challenges to his authority from within his own core support.
2 Samuel 19 12 Bonus section
David's decision to specifically send to Zadok and Abiathar (2 Sam 19:11), the priests, and task them with speaking to the elders of Judah, indicates his deep understanding of their religious and influential roles in mobilizing the tribe. This bypasses military or secular channels that might be perceived as politically charged. Furthermore, offering Amasa, Absalom's former commander and David's own nephew, the position of commander of the army (in place of Joab, his long-time but often rebellious commander), demonstrates David's willingness to grant clemency and integrate former adversaries to strengthen his political base and mend fractured loyalties. This bold move underscored his commitment to reconciliation within his own family and tribe, essential for the stability of his reunified kingdom. The underlying tension between Judah and the northern tribes regarding the king's return, seen later in 2 Samuel 19:40-43, reveals that David's urgent appeal to Judah, while successful in the short term, pointed to a deeper tribal rift that would ultimately contribute to the division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign.
2 Samuel 19 12 Commentary
King David's address to the men of Judah in 2 Samuel 19:12 is a politically astute and emotionally charged plea aimed at securing his immediate return to power. Recognizing Judah's significant role in the rebellion and their subsequent slowness to respond compared to the northern tribes, David bypasses official channels and appeals directly to their tribal loyalty and shared lineage. His declaration, "You are my bone and my flesh," is the strongest possible assertion of kinship in ancient Israel, invoking the foundational relationship seen between Adam and Eve. It signifies an unbreakable bond, placing Judah in a unique position of responsibility and intimacy with their king. By rhetorically asking why they would be "the last" to bring him back, David shames them into action, appealing to their pride and their historical precedence as his primary supporters. This strategic move aims to preempt any lingering disloyalty, ensure Judah takes the lead in his reinstatement, and thus solidify his claim to the throne from within his own foundational support base. This moment highlights David's wisdom in leadership, demonstrating his ability to reconcile divisions and unify his people through both strong action and heartfelt appeals to identity and relationship.