2 Samuel19
New King James Version
1And Joab was told, “Behold, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.”
2So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people. For the people heard it said that day, “The king is grieved for his son.”
3And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”
5Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines,
6in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well.
7Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the Lord, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now.”
8Then the king arose and sat in the gate. And they told all the people, saying, “There is the king, sitting in the gate.” So all the people came before the king. For everyone of Israel had fled to his tent.
9Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.
10But Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. Now therefore, why do you say nothing about bringing back the king?”
11So King David sent to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the words of all Israel have come to the king, to his very house?
12You are my brethren, you are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
13And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not commander of the army before me continually in place of Joab.’ ”
14So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah, just as the heart of one man, so that they sent this word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants!”
15Then the king returned and came to the Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to escort the king across the Jordan.
16And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17There 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 the Jordan before the king.
18Then a ferryboat went across to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan.
19Then he said to the king, “Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart.
20For I, your servant, know that I have sinned. Therefore here I am, the first to come today of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?”
22And David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?”
23Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him.
24Now Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. And he had not cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he returned in peace.
25So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26And he answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go to the king,’ because your servant is lame.
27And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.
28For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king. Yet you set your servant among those who eat at your own table. Therefore what right have I still to cry out anymore to the king?”
29So the king said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.’ ”
30Then Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”
31And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan.
32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man.
33And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.”
34But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35I am today eighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king?
36Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.”
38And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.”
39Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.
40Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
41Just then all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brethren, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king, his household, and all David’s men with him across the Jordan?”
42So all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative of ours. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”
43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten shares in the king; therefore we also have more right to David than you. Why then do you despise us—were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Samuel 19.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Joab causes David to cease mourning. (1–8). David returns to Jordan. (9–15). He pardons Shimei. (16–23). Mephibosheth excused. (24–30). David's parting with Barzillai. (31–39). Israel quarrels with Judah. (40–43).
vv1-8
To continue to lament for so bad a son as Absalom, was very unwise, and very unworthy. Joab censures David, but not with proper respect and deference to his sovereign. A plain case may be fairly pleaded with those above us, and they may be reproved for what they do amiss, but it must not be with rudeness and insolence. Yet David took the reproof and the counsel, prudently and mildly. Timely giving way, usually prevents the ill effects of mistaken measures.
vv9-15
God's providence, by the priests' persuasions and Amasa's interest, brought the people to resolve the recall of the king. David stirred not till he received this invitation. Our Lord Jesus will rule in those that invite him to the throne in their hearts, and not till he is invited. He first bows the heart, and makes it willing in the day of his power, then rules in the midst of his enemies, Ps 110:2, 3.
vv16-23
Those who now slight and abuse the Son of David, would be glad to make their peace when he shall come in his glory; but it will be too late. Shimei lost no time. His abuse had been personal, and with the usual right feeling of good men, David could more easily forgive it.
Key Words
נָגַד: properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
יוֹאָב: Joab, the name of three Israelites
הִנֵּה: lo!
מֶלֶךְ: a king
בָּכָה: to weep; generally to bemoan
אָבַל: to bewail
אֲבִישָׁלוֹם: Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
תְּשׁוּעָה: rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
אֵבֶל: lamentation
Cross References
2 Samuel 19Context of Shimei's original cursing of David, now seeking pardon with his followers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The slanderous report Ziba gave to David concerning Mephibosheth's loyalty.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
David's deathbed oath context where Shimei's pardon is recalled with instructions for Solomon.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes Barzillai's earlier provision of sustenance for David during his flight at Mahanaim.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
David's deathbed charge to Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai (Chimham).
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Direct continuation of David's intense, grief-stricken lamentation over the death of Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
David covering his face in deep mourning, mirroring his posture when fleeing Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
David's ongoing struggle with the overbearing sons of Zeruiah, especially Joab.
Supported by JFB
Typological parallel of David bowing hearts to Christ making people willing in His day of power.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The direct consequence of the tribal dispute: Sheba's rebellion immediately following this quarrel.
Supported by JFB
Mephibosheth uses the same formulaic compliment, comparing the king to an angel of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Refers to David's original covenant kindness in giving Mephibosheth a place at his table.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Saints amazed at the scale of their heavenly recompense, echoing Barzillai's humility.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Barzillai's reflection on his short remaining days parallels Jacob's answer to Pharaoh.
Supported by Matthew Poole
An earlier historical instance of Ephraim/Israel expressing fierce jealousy over tribal exclusion.
Supported by JFB