Chapter 19

1 Joab causeth the king to cease his mourning. 9 The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back. 11 David sendeth to the priests to incite them of Judah. 18 Shimei is pardoned. 24 Mephibosheth excused. 32 Barzillai dismissed, Chimham his son is taken into the king’s family. 41 The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them.

1. It was told Joab. The word of David’s great grief for Absalom was quickly carried to all his men. Joab was responsible for the death of Absalom, and David’s grief for his son might easily turn to anger at the disobedient commander in chief.

2. Into mourning. God had given victory to the forces of David, and they had real reason for rejoicing. The rebellion was over, David was restored to his throne, and the nation had been spared the horrors of a long, costly civil war. But the people found that the city was filled with sorrow instead of joy, because of David’s grief over the death of his son.

3. By stealth. As the victorious hosts approached the city, the king, who should have been on hand to greet them, was not there. Instead of offering words of thanks and cheer for the troops who that day had risked their lives for him, David sat above the gate, loudly wailing for the loss of his son. Instead of marching proudly in triumph the men now broke their ranks, slinking into the city, downcast and ashamed. It seemed that all their effort had been in vain, and what they had thought of as a glorious victory was only a mistake and, in the eyes of the king, a sad defeat. They entered the city with the air of men defeated in battle, their purposes thwarted and their hopes dashed to the ground.

4. O Absalom. The heart of David was torn with uncontrollable grief. He could think of nothing except that Absalom was dead. The return of his troops in triumph, the restoration of his throne, the end of the civil war, seemed to mean nothing, with Absalom gone.

5. Thou hast shamed. The gruff old commander in chief took the king severely to task for his conduct before his returning soldiers. These men had fought valiantly and well. They had risked their all for the king, and for the members of his family, but he had no word of thanks for them. He could think only of his personal loss. That others too that day were sad and mourned the loss of brothers, husbands, and fathers who had given their lives in order that David might retain his throne, meant nothing to the king. It was a cutting and bitter rebuke from the old general, but he was simply telling the harsh truth.

7. Arise, go forth. The occasion called for action, and Joab bluntly and fearlessly told David exactly what he ought to do.

I swear by the Lord. In uttering this solemn oath Joab was not making a threat that he would lead the people in revolt against David, he was only calling attention to an unpalatable truth. The situation was fraught with danger. A large part of the nation had already turned from David and had supported Absalom in his efforts to take David’s life and his throne. And now David was on the verge of alienating those who had continued loyal to him and making them also his enemies.

That befell thee. Joab predicted that David, by his unnatural conduct, was precipitating for himself the greatest crisis of his life. He used strong words, but they were necessary in order to rouse the king from the selfishness and foolishness of his grief.

8. Sat in the gate. David recognized the justice of Joab’s cutting rebuke and the wisdom of his counsel, and quickly responded by taking his position at the city gate, where he could speak words of thanks and courage to his people.

Israel had fled. After Absalom died, his supporters fled to their homes.

9. At strife. The death of Absalom had left the land in a state of disorganization. There were probably many different groups, all at odds with one another. Some of Absalom’s strong adherents were obviously slow to welcome David back to his throne. Others were perhaps entirely indifferent to the Davidic dynasty and willing to have almost anyone else than David as king. David, of course, still had many supporters. Under the circumstances, however, he had no great desire to return to Jerusalem to take his throne.

The king saved us. The good deeds of David were recalled. He had saved his people from the hands of their enemies and now he had been driven from the country and was living in exile. They contended that he ought to be brought back. Evidently many of the people were vexed at the slowness and indecision of the leaders.

10. Why speak ye not? Because of the hesitation and delay the people were beginning to remonstrate with their leaders and were urging them to take steps toward returning David to his throne.

12. Are ye the last? These words indicate that considerable interest must have been manifested in Israel for David’s return. But David was vexed at Judah, his own flesh and blood, for being so slow about taking measures toward his recall.

13. Say ye to Amasa. David was skillful in dealing with men in public office. Amasa had been the commander in chief for Absalom, and now that he was dead, Amasa was the leader who above anyone else could keep the spirit of the rebellion alive. Like Joab, Amasa was David’s nephew (1 Chron. 2:13–17), and David, by the dramatic move of making him commander in chief, sought to win Amasa’s loyalty. In turn Amasa would be expected to bring over to David what remained of the military organization of Absalom. Presumably David was restless under the overbearing influence of Joab and desired to be rid of him. It was through Joab’s influence that Absalom had been brought back to Jerusalem from his exile, and it was Joab who had slain Absalom in direct violation of David’s command. His recent cutting rebuke (vs. 5–7) was still ringing in David’s ears. David evidently felt that the time had come to replace Joab, and it was a shrewd political move to put Amasa in his place.

14. Return thou. This was a formal invitation from the leaders of Judah asking David to return to take his crown. He was willing to be king only by the consent of the tribes. He had not sought the kingdom in the first place, and he wished all to understand that he would not now resume his position unless requested to do so by the nation.

15. Judah came to Gilgal. David came down from Mahanaim to the eastern bank of the Jordan, opposite the Jericho ford. The representatives of Judah went to Gilgal on the western bank, to be on hand when David crossed the Jordan and came into Judah and his own territory.

16. Shimei. This Benjamite was a time-server. Only a short while before he had cursed the king when he fled from Jerusalem. Now that David was returning, Shimei lost no time in trying to make his peace with him.

17. A thousand men. The Benjamites were urgent to impress David that they held no grudge against him and that they welcomed him back as king. After all, the cause of the house of Saul was dead, and there was no hope that any descendant of his would ever again receive the crown of Israel.

Ziba. See ch. 9:2, 9, 10. It was politic for Ziba, too, to be on hand when David returned, for he had by apparent guile received from David all that pertained unto Mephibosheth (ch. 16:1–4), and he knew that the time of reckoning would come (see ch. 19:24–29).

Before the king. Shimei and Ziba were not there because they welcomed David’s return—they feared it, and would far rather have had him remain away. But they knew that they must attempt to make their peace with David or pay the price. They endeavored to make amends not from sincerity, but from necessity.

18. There went over a ferry boat. Literally, “the ford passed over,” which obviously should read, “they passed over the ford.” The meaning simply is that they crossed the ford to bring over the king’s household and to be at his service, doing what they could to facilitate his crossing and that of all his staff and goods.

20. I have sinned. Shimei offers no excuses, for he knows that such would be useless. He is guilty, and frankly confesses it, throwing himself upon David’s mercy.

21. Be put to death. According to the customs of the time Shimei’s cruel cursing of David at the time of David’s flight would normally merit death, but Shimei had cast himself on David’s mercy and asked for forgiveness. David was willing to be lenient, whereas Abishai could think only of stern justice.

22. Adversaries unto me. This was a time for mercy, not hard, cold justice. The occasion called for reconciliation, not a meting out of punishment upon all who had previously turned their backs upon David. The greatness and magnanimity of David was displayed on this occasion. The king attempted to win the nation back to himself by kindness and mercy. He indicated that all would be forgiven who wished to make their peace with him. With a lesser man than David there would have been much shedding of guilty blood and there would also have been much enmity as a result. In advocating a policy of retaliation the sons of Zeruiah were adversaries rather than friends of the cause of David.

This day king. Because he was king, David could afford to be merciful. If his cause had been still in doubt, sterner measures would have been in order to ensure the stamping out of opposition.

23. Thou shalt not die. With characteristic generosity David assured Shimei that his life would be spared. Shimei had been guilty of a serious crime and should have suffered punishment, but to have executed him would not have been in keeping with the spirit of the occasion. David chose to accept Shimei’s professed repentance at face value. However, Shimei’s insincerity must have become evident in due time, for David later charged Solomon concerning him: “His hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.” (1 Kings 2:8, 9; cf. 1 Kings 2:44).

24. The son of Saul. That is, the grandson of Saul. Mephibosheth also felt it wise to come to David as early as possible to declare his loyalty to him. After David’s flight Mephibosheth had observed the signs of deepest mourning for him, as evidenced by his neglect of his person, thus proving his loyalty to David’s cause.

25. Come to Jerusalem. The narrative of the meeting at the Jordan is interrupted to continue the explanation of Mephibosheth’s actions.

26. Deceived me. Mephibosheth claimed that for purposes of personal gain, Ziba had told David a base falsehood, thus causing David to regard as ungrateful and disloyal his erstwhile faithful servant (ch. 16:1–4). According to the new version of the incident the two asses Ziba brought to David had actually been prepared at Mephibosheth’s orders, so that he could take his flight with David. Instead they had been stolen by Ziba, who left Mephibosheth at home, helpless in his lameness.

28. Dead men before my lord. In the usual course of events a king would have slain all the royal seed remaining of the dynasty being displaced, so that there might be no possibility of an attempt by any of them to regain the throne. But David had shown kindness to Mephibosheth, not only in permitting him to live, but in providing him with a share of the royal bounties. Although Mephibosheth had been wronged by Ziba, he offered not to complain, because David had previously been so kind to him.

29. Divide the land. David had done Mephibosheth an injustice in accepting Ziba’s story without verification and in bestowing on him all his master’s possessions before hearing the other side of the case (ch. 16:4). David now realized that an injustice had been done and endeavored to undo it by returning to Mephibosheth half his property. This would hardly seem sufficient, however, to satisfy justice. If Ziba told the truth, he should have kept all; if not, he should have been deprived of all his gains and been punished besides. David’s compromise was both weak and unjust.

30. Let him take all. Mephibosheth sought to impress David that his purpose in coming to him was not to secure redress but to demonstrate his loyalty, that he was willing that Ziba retain everything, however unjust that might be. The important consideration was that David had returned in peace, and for this Mephibosheth expressed his gratefulness.

31. Barzillai the Gileadite. See ch. 17:27. The narrative here returns to David’s crossing of the Jordan. After the meeting with Mephibosheth, the account of David’s parting with his host, Barzillai, is set down.

With the king. It was a matter of politeness to accompany a guest on a part of his journey. Barzillai proved himself to be a kindly man and a gracious host. Furthermore, he proved his loyalty to David.

32. Aged man. At 80 years Barzillai was considered to be very old. The average length of life had dropped much since the days of the early patriarchs. During the days of the divided monarchies the greatest age reached by any king of Judah was not more than 68 (see 2 Kings 15:1, 2). Manasseh died at 67 after his reign of 55 years, by inclusive reckoning (2 Kings 21:1).

36. The king recompense. Barzillai sought nothing for himself. God had been kind to him. There was nothing further to seek in the pleasures of this world. Life for David during his exile beyond the Jordan had been happier because of the kindness of Barzillai.

37. Chimham. There is no positive evidence as to the identity of Chimham, but from David’s charge to Solomon to “shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite” (1 Kings 2:7), it would seem that he was a son of Barzillai. Mention is made in Jer. 41:17 of “the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem,” from which it may be supposed that Chimham accepted David’s offer and received a home near Bethlehem.

39. All the people. The term “people” is employed in this narrative for the followers of David (see chs. 15:17, 23, 24, 30; 16:14; 17:2, 3, 16, 22; 18:1–4, 6, 16; 19:2, 3, 8, 9). For the followers of Absalom the term “Israel” has been used (see chs. 16:15; 17:15; 18:16, 17).

Was come over. Barzillai seems to have crossed the river with David before turning homeward.

40. All the people of Judah. Judah seems finally to have taken the most active part in the restoration of David to his throne. David’s words to the elders of Judah (vs. 11, 12) evidently had had its effect, and there was a general gathering of the people to welcome him back from exile to his crown, throne, and kingdom.

Half the people of Israel. In v. 11 “all Israel” is said to have been interested in David’s return, but now only “half the people” turn out to greet him. A small attendance was to be expected, for Israel, as distinguished from Judah, was farther away, and thus it would not have been feasible for so many to come out to welcome David. Further, the word concerning David’s return seems not to have been circulated as widely in the north as in Judah (see v. 41).

41. All the men of Israel. Long before the disruption at the time of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12) there had existed a degree of division between the people of Israel in the north and Judah in the south (see 1 Sam. 11:8; 17:52; 18:16; 2 Sam. 2:4, 8–10; 3:10, 12, 21; 5:5). Jealousies between the tribes frequently manifested themselves, even in the earliest period (Judges 8:1; 12:1). When David became king he did not at first rule over all the nation but only over “the house of Judah” (2 Sam. 2:4). Later the endeavor was made to set up his throne “over Israel and over Judah” (ch. 3:10). Only after David had reigned seven years in Hebron did “the tribes of Israel” come to him to acknowledge him as their bone and flesh and to make him their king (ch. 5:1–5). Now David had returned from his exile, and the old jealousies again became evident.

42. Near of kin to us. Judah rightly claimed a special hold on David, inasmuch as he belonged to their tribe (see v. 12). But they wanted to make it plain that he had shown them no special favoritism. Such a statement from the men of Judah is a striking testimony to the fairness of David’s government. He endeavored to treat all tribes alike, giving to none the excuse that others were being accorded special favors denied to them.

43. Were fiercer. In the angry altercation that arose between the tribes, the men of Judah were more vehement than their neighbors to the north. The dispute was happily arrested after a time, but the fact of its occurrence did not augur well for the future. The present differences between north and south foreshadowed greater troubles to come. Sectional jealousies and rivalries were constantly sowing the seeds of disaster.

Ellen G. White comments

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