_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._
Joab prevails on David to refrain, 2 Samuel 19:1. He is brought back
to his kingdom by the men of Judah, 2 Samuel 19:9. Pardons Shimei, 2
Samuel 19:16. Restores to Mephibosheth his estate, 2 Samuel 19:24.
Barzillai is dismissed, and his son taken into David's service, 2
Samu... [ Continue Reading ]
_The victory was turned into mourning to all the people_ They had so
great a regard to their prince, that, when they heard of his distress,
they were afflicted with him; and instead of triumphing, they also
made lamentations.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people gat them by stealth into the city_ Not openly and
triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, as if they
thought themselves a kind of criminals, who had contravened the king's
command, and were, on that score, in disgrace with him, and,
therefore, were afraid and ashamed lest he... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king covered his face_ As a deep mourner, and as one that neither
desired to see nor to be seen by any others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joab said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants_
By disappointing their just hopes of praises and rewards, and
requiting them with contempt and tacit rebukes; and thus making them
hang down their heads, as if they had committed such a crime, that
they were ashamed to look men in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, therefore, arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy
servants_ Show thyself to thy people, acknowledge their good services,
and congratulate their success. _For I swear by the Lord_ He confirms
his threat with the most solemn oath. _If thou go not forth_, &c. If
thou do not instantly qui... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes_ Either, 1st,
Striving who should be most forward to bring back the king, and
blaming one another's slackness in the business: or, 2d, Censuring and
quarrelling one with another, as the authors and abetters of this
shameful rebellion, and disc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speak unto the elders of Judah_ Absalom had begun his conspiracy in
Jerusalem itself, and perfected it in Hebron, both cities of Judah;
and the people of that tribe had been the first to join him in his
rebellion, and to aid and abet his designs; conscious of this, and
that, as David was of their t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone_, &c. That is, nearly related
to me, being my sister's son. _God do so to me, and more also_, &c. He
solemnly promises to prefer him to the highest command in the kingdom;
for he now thought it a fit time to depress Joab, who was grown
insufferably insolent and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah_ This prudent and friendly
message and free offer of pardon to them, and this kind treatment of
the captain of the hostile host, and all his rebel adherents, had all
the effect David could hope for; it touched their hearts, and melted
them into loyalty and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shimei hasted and came down to meet King David_ As Shimei had so
insulted and abused David, he very justly concluded that he could have
no hopes of pardon, but in consequence of his being one of the first
to go and bring back the king. _There were a thousand men of Benjamin
with him_ Whom he brough... [ Continue Reading ]
_There went over a ferry-boat_ Prepared, it is likely, by the men of
Judah. Josephus says, it was a bridge, composed, perhaps, of many
boats joined together. _Shimei fell down before the king_ That he
might confess his guilt and perverseness, and implore forgiveness.
_Neither do thou remember that w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abishai said, Shall not Shimei be put to death?_ Abishai had before
highly resented Shimei's vile treatment of David, and thought this a
fit season for taking revenge. _What have I to do with you, ye sons of
Zeruiah?_ It seems Joab joined with his brother, and together they
thought to govern all th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mephibosheth the son of Saul_ That is, the grandson, 2 Samuel 4:4.
_Had neither dressed his feet_ Neither washed them, which in those hot
climates was usual and very refreshing; nor cut the nails of his toes,
but let them grow, as he did his beard, which he had not trimmed nor
taken any care of, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king_ He had probably
continued near Jerusalem during the king's absence, and it seems could
not go to a distance from it to meet him, as others did, for want of
conveniences for his journey: for Ziba had gotten possession of all
his lands and goods, and it... [ Continue Reading ]
_All my father's house were but dead men before my lord_ Before thy
tribunal: we were all at thy mercy; not my estate only, but my life
also was in thy power, if thou hadst dealt with rigour, and as earthly
kings use to do with their predecessors' and enemies' children. _What
right have I yet to cry... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou and Ziba divide the land_ The land shall be divided between thee
and him, according to my first order, chap. 2 Samuel 9:10; he and his
sons managing it, and supporting themselves out of it, as they did
before, and giving the rest of the profits thereof to thee. It is easy
to perceive, from thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mephibosheth said, Yea, let him take all_ Nothing could be more
generously spoken, or signify greater affection, than that he was
content to be without an estate, now the king was restored to his
kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Barzillai came down from Rogelim_ Rogelim was a place in mount
Gilead, and Barzillai came down from thence to do the king honour and
see him safe over Jordan. _He had provided the king sustenance _
Barzillai had a very generous heart, which moved him to supply the
wants of David and all his family... [ Continue Reading ]
_Barzillai said, How long have I to live_, &c. In a spirit of true
wisdom, and becoming moderation, he declined accepting the king's
generous offer. The pleasures of a court had no charms for him in that
advanced age, being then fourscore years old; his senses and appetites
were long since palled, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? _ Since he
had but done his duty to his sovereign, he did not expect to be so
highly rewarded for it. _That I may die in mine own city_ That my
bones may, with little ado, be carried to the place of their rest. The
grave is ready for me; let... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people of Judah_ That is, the elders and great men of Judah.
_Also half the people of Israel_ Whereas the men of Judah came
entirely and unanimously to the king, the Israelites, of the other
tribes, came in but slowly, and by halves, as being no less guilty of
rebellion than the tribe of Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the men of Israel_ That is, those that were present. It appears
that David, to gratify his own tribe, had marched on, not expecting
the coming of all the great men of Israel, who were making themselves
ready to wait upon him. And therefore, when they were come together,
and found that the tribe... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king is near of kin to us_ Of the same tribe with us, and
therefore both oweth the more respect to us, and might expect more
respect from us. _Hath he given us any gift?_ We have neither sought
nor gained any advantage to ourselves hereby, but only discharged our
duty and testified our love to... [ Continue Reading ]
_We have ten parts in the king_ Or kingdom rather, and consequently
there was the greater reason why we should be consulted upon a point
of so much importance. They say but _ten_, though strictly there were
eleven; either because they counted Joseph, which comprehended both
Ephraim and Manasseh unde... [ Continue Reading ]