‘Please speak in the hearing of all the citizens of Shechem, “Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you or that one man rule over you? ” Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.’
Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, ‘Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men? ’
All the men of Judah responded to the men of Israel, ‘Because the king is our relative. Why does this make you angry? Have we ever eaten anything of the king’s or been honoured at all? ’