II Samuel 19 Commentary
And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
And 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, even to his house.
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of 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.
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
II Samuel 19 recounts David's return to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom's rebellion, highlighting the complex political and emotional landscape he navigated. This chapter reveals David's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, the lingering divisions within Israel, and the delicate balance between justice and mercy. The chapter serves as a potent reminder of the enduring consequences of sin and the challenges of restoring unity after conflict.
David's Grief and Joab's Rebuke (II Samuel 19:1-8)
The chapter opens with David consumed by grief over Absalom's death. When news reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom, Joab recognized the potential damage to morale (II Samuel 19:1). The victory felt hollow, and the troops, who had risked their lives to protect David and his kingdom, felt unappreciated (II Samuel 19:2-3). While a parent's grief is understandable, David's excessive mourning threatened to send the wrong message to his loyal supporters.
Joab, ever pragmatic and blunt, confronted David directly. He accused David of shaming his soldiers by loving his enemies and hating those who loved him (II Samuel 19:5-6). Joab warned David that his behavior would lead to a serious crisis of loyalty and that if he didn't address the troops, he would be abandoned. "Go out and encourage your soldiers," Joab urged, "If you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This would be a turn of events worse than all the previous trouble" (II Samuel 19:7). David, recognizing the wisdom in Joab's harsh words, finally composed himself and appeared at the city gate to address his troops (II Samuel 19:8). This episode underscores the importance of leaders balancing personal emotions with the needs of those they lead.
The Nation's Hesitation and David's Strategy (II Samuel 19:9-15)
With Absalom's rebellion crushed and his life forfeited, the tribes of Israel faced a dilemma. They had followed Absalom, and now they had to decide whether to invite David back to the throne. Opinions were divided (II Samuel 19:9-10). Some recognized David's past leadership and advocated for his restoration, while others, fearing retribution for their support of Absalom, hesitated.
David, astute as ever, recognized that Judah, his own tribe, was the key to his return. He understood that if any tribe was going to restore the king, it should be his own (II Samuel 19:11). He sent word to the elders of Judah through Zadok and Abiathar, reminding them that all Israel was already discussing his return (II Samuel 19:11-12). He subtly shamed them, implying they shouldn't be the last to welcome him back (II Samuel 19:12).
David also made a strategic political move by promising Amasa, Absalom's former commander, the position of commander of the army in place of Joab (II Samuel 19:13). This served multiple purposes. First, it demonstrated that David harbored no ill will towards those who had sided with Absalom. Second, it was a subtle rebuke of Joab for disobeying his orders and killing Absalom. While David didn't want to execute Joab, he clearly intended to diminish his power. This gesture proved effective. The men of Judah were won over and unanimously invited David to return to the throne (II Samuel 19:14). They came out in force to escort David as he crossed the Jordan River on his way back to Jerusalem (II Samuel 19:15).
Encounters on the Return (II Samuel 19:16-39)
As David returned, he encountered a series of individuals, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for reconciliation.
Shimei's Plea (II Samuel 19:16-23): First was Shimei, the descendant of Saul who had cursed David during his flight from Jerusalem (see II Samuel 16:5-9). Shimei arrived with a thousand men from Benjamin, seeking forgiveness. Abishai, still harboring resentment, urged David to execute Shimei, but David refused, declaring, "Shall anyone be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" (II Samuel 19:22). David granted Shimei a stay of execution, demonstrating mercy and a desire to unify the kingdom. However, David's instructions to Solomon regarding Shimei (see I Kings 2:8-9) suggest a more complex and nuanced view of justice.
Mephibosheth and Ziba (II Samuel 19:24-30): Next came Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, followed by Mephibosheth himself. Ziba had previously accused Mephibosheth of treachery, but Mephibosheth presented his side of the story, claiming Ziba had slandered him (II Samuel 19:24-28). Faced with conflicting accounts, David, perhaps weary of the situation, made a Solomon-like judgement and divided Mephibosheth's estate between him and Ziba (II Samuel 19:29). This decision, while seemingly fair, highlights the difficulty of discerning truth and administering justice in complex situations.
Barzillai's Loyalty (II Samuel 19:31-39): Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy man who had provided for David during his exile, also came to greet the king. David offered to take Barzillai to Jerusalem to care for him in his old age, but Barzillai declined, preferring to live out his remaining years at home (II Samuel 19:33-37). Instead, Barzillai asked that David take Chimham, possibly his son, and provide for him (II Samuel 19:37). David agreed, demonstrating his gratitude and loyalty to those who had supported him.
Seeds of Discord (II Samuel 19:40-43)
Despite the outward appearance of unity, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The men of Israel accused the men of Judah of bringing David back without consulting them (II Samuel 19:41). The men of Judah retorted that David was their relative (II Samuel 19:42). The men of Israel, however, argued that because they had ten tribes, they had a greater claim to the king (II Samuel 19:43). This dispute, fueled by tribal rivalry and a sense of being overlooked, foreshadowed future divisions within the kingdom. The author of Samuel subtly reveals the deep-seated tensions that would ultimately lead to the nation's fracturing.
II Samuel 19 offers a fascinating study of leadership, reconciliation, and the enduring challenges of maintaining unity in the face of division. David's return was not a simple triumph, but a complex process of navigating competing interests, managing personal emotions, and striving to heal the wounds of rebellion. The chapter reminds us that true restoration requires not only justice but also mercy, humility, and a willingness to address the underlying causes of conflict.
And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom.
And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.
And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;
In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.
Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.
And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?
And 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, even to his house.
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of 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.
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
II Samuel 19 recounts David's return to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom's rebellion, highlighting the complex political and emotional landscape he navigated. This chapter reveals David's strengths and weaknesses as a leader, the lingering divisions within Israel, and the delicate balance between justice and mercy. The chapter serves as a potent reminder of the enduring consequences of sin and the challenges of restoring unity after conflict.
David's Grief and Joab's Rebuke (II Samuel 19:1-8)
The chapter opens with David consumed by grief over Absalom's death. When news reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom, Joab recognized the potential damage to morale (II Samuel 19:1). The victory felt hollow, and the troops, who had risked their lives to protect David and his kingdom, felt unappreciated (II Samuel 19:2-3). While a parent's grief is understandable, David's excessive mourning threatened to send the wrong message to his loyal supporters.
Joab, ever pragmatic and blunt, confronted David directly. He accused David of shaming his soldiers by loving his enemies and hating those who loved him (II Samuel 19:5-6). Joab warned David that his behavior would lead to a serious crisis of loyalty and that if he didn't address the troops, he would be abandoned. "Go out and encourage your soldiers," Joab urged, "If you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This would be a turn of events worse than all the previous trouble" (II Samuel 19:7). David, recognizing the wisdom in Joab's harsh words, finally composed himself and appeared at the city gate to address his troops (II Samuel 19:8). This episode underscores the importance of leaders balancing personal emotions with the needs of those they lead.
The Nation's Hesitation and David's Strategy (II Samuel 19:9-15)
With Absalom's rebellion crushed and his life forfeited, the tribes of Israel faced a dilemma. They had followed Absalom, and now they had to decide whether to invite David back to the throne. Opinions were divided (II Samuel 19:9-10). Some recognized David's past leadership and advocated for his restoration, while others, fearing retribution for their support of Absalom, hesitated.
David, astute as ever, recognized that Judah, his own tribe, was the key to his return. He understood that if any tribe was going to restore the king, it should be his own (II Samuel 19:11). He sent word to the elders of Judah through Zadok and Abiathar, reminding them that all Israel was already discussing his return (II Samuel 19:11-12). He subtly shamed them, implying they shouldn't be the last to welcome him back (II Samuel 19:12).
David also made a strategic political move by promising Amasa, Absalom's former commander, the position of commander of the army in place of Joab (II Samuel 19:13). This served multiple purposes. First, it demonstrated that David harbored no ill will towards those who had sided with Absalom. Second, it was a subtle rebuke of Joab for disobeying his orders and killing Absalom. While David didn't want to execute Joab, he clearly intended to diminish his power. This gesture proved effective. The men of Judah were won over and unanimously invited David to return to the throne (II Samuel 19:14). They came out in force to escort David as he crossed the Jordan River on his way back to Jerusalem (II Samuel 19:15).
Encounters on the Return (II Samuel 19:16-39)
As David returned, he encountered a series of individuals, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for reconciliation.
Shimei's Plea (II Samuel 19:16-23): First was Shimei, the descendant of Saul who had cursed David during his flight from Jerusalem (see II Samuel 16:5-9). Shimei arrived with a thousand men from Benjamin, seeking forgiveness. Abishai, still harboring resentment, urged David to execute Shimei, but David refused, declaring, "Shall anyone be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" (II Samuel 19:22). David granted Shimei a stay of execution, demonstrating mercy and a desire to unify the kingdom. However, David's instructions to Solomon regarding Shimei (see I Kings 2:8-9) suggest a more complex and nuanced view of justice.
Mephibosheth and Ziba (II Samuel 19:24-30): Next came Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, followed by Mephibosheth himself. Ziba had previously accused Mephibosheth of treachery, but Mephibosheth presented his side of the story, claiming Ziba had slandered him (II Samuel 19:24-28). Faced with conflicting accounts, David, perhaps weary of the situation, made a Solomon-like judgement and divided Mephibosheth's estate between him and Ziba (II Samuel 19:29). This decision, while seemingly fair, highlights the difficulty of discerning truth and administering justice in complex situations.
Barzillai's Loyalty (II Samuel 19:31-39): Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy man who had provided for David during his exile, also came to greet the king. David offered to take Barzillai to Jerusalem to care for him in his old age, but Barzillai declined, preferring to live out his remaining years at home (II Samuel 19:33-37). Instead, Barzillai asked that David take Chimham, possibly his son, and provide for him (II Samuel 19:37). David agreed, demonstrating his gratitude and loyalty to those who had supported him.
Seeds of Discord (II Samuel 19:40-43)
Despite the outward appearance of unity, tensions simmered beneath the surface. The men of Israel accused the men of Judah of bringing David back without consulting them (II Samuel 19:41). The men of Judah retorted that David was their relative (II Samuel 19:42). The men of Israel, however, argued that because they had ten tribes, they had a greater claim to the king (II Samuel 19:43). This dispute, fueled by tribal rivalry and a sense of being overlooked, foreshadowed future divisions within the kingdom. The author of Samuel subtly reveals the deep-seated tensions that would ultimately lead to the nation's fracturing.
II Samuel 19 offers a fascinating study of leadership, reconciliation, and the enduring challenges of maintaining unity in the face of division. David's return was not a simple triumph, but a complex process of navigating competing interests, managing personal emotions, and striving to heal the wounds of rebellion. The chapter reminds us that true restoration requires not only justice but also mercy, humility, and a willingness to address the underlying causes of conflict.