And behold,allthe menof Israelcameto the kingand saidto the king,"Whyhad our brothersthe menof Judahstolenyou away,and broughtthe kingand his householdand allDavid'smenwith him overthe Jordan?"
Then KingDavidsentto Zadokand Abiatharthe priests,saying,"Speakto the eldersof Judah,saying,'Whyare you the lastto bringthe kingbackto his house,since the wordof allIsraelhas cometo the king,[even] to his house?
You are my brothers;you are my boneand my flesh.Whythen should you be the lastto bringbackthe king?'
So the peoplewentby stealthinto the citythat day,as peoplewho are humiliatedstealawaywhen they fleein battle.
Then the menof Ephraimwere summoned,and they crossedto Zaphonand saidto Jephthah,"Whydid you crossoverto fightagainst the sonsof Ammonwithoutcallingus to gowith you? We will burnyour housedown on you."
Then the menof Ephraimsaidto him, "Whatis thisthingyou have doneto us, not callingus whenyou wentto fightagainst Midian?"And they contendedwith him vigorously.
