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

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle; and now why are ye silent as to bringing the king back?

And Absalom, whom we made a ruler over us, is dead in the fight. So now why do you say nothing about getting the king back? And word of what all Israel was saying came to the king.

Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why do you not speak a word of bringing the king back?' And the talk of all Israel came to the king.

But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in the war. How long will you be silent, and not lead back the king?"

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us,.... To be king; which either was really done by Absalom's party, or in effect by proclaiming and appointing him king:
is dead in battle; which shows the thing was not of God, and by which means they were released from their oath of allegiance to him:
now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? nobody speaks of it, gives the least hint of it, or shows any concern about it; but the greatest coldness and indifference, as if it was a matter of no importance.

Now therefore - The people of Israel speak thus to the elders of Israel, as appears by comparing this verse with the next. Seeing their designs for Absalom disappointed, they now repented of that undertaking, and were willing to testify so much by their forwardness to bring back David, and re - establish him.