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2 Samuel 19:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 19:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
2 Samuel 19:12 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land from Absalom.
10And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
11And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, [to bring him] to his house.
12Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
13And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
14And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent unto the king, [saying], Return thou, and all thy servants.
15So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
← 2 Samuel 19:112 Samuel 19:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye [are] my brethren, ye [are] my bones and my flesh, etc.] 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.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my bones: Sa2 5:1; Gen 2:23; Jdg 9:2; Eph 5:30 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:13”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification