2 Samuel 19
DOYLY— Berites:] The inhabitants of Bearoth, a city in the tribe of Benjamin. Bp. Patrick.
— and they were gathered together,] Most interpreters refer these words to the Berites and others who followed Sheba: but I apprehend they are a description of Joab’s men warmly pursuing that rebel. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 19:2
- So every man of Israel—followed Sheba] This rebellion of Sheba was a new chastisement of God upon David: and here we are most seriously to consider, to how many calamities this prince was exposed, and how the judgments of God pursued him, after he had defiled
he had left to keep the house, and put them in + ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were + shut up unto the day of their death, + living in widowhood.
2 Samuel 19:3
- — and the king took &c.] David’s reason for clearing the place of the concubines which had been defiled by Absalom, and shutting them up in close and perpetual retirement, seems to have been, that they might no more be seen abroad, to revive the memory of his son’s wickedness and impurity. Pyle.
2 Samuel 19:9
- — took Amasa by the beard] This is still the custom among the Eastern people, who take one another by the chin or beard, when they would give a hearty salute. Bp. Patrick. The kissing the beard itself too is customary. D’Arvieux, describing the assembling together of several petty Arab princes, mentions, among other civilities and caresses, the kissings of the beard and of the hand, which every one gave and received according to his rank and dignity. Harmer.
Joab slayeth Amasa. Sheba is beheaded. Before CHRIST about 1022. doubled not his stroke.
2 Samuel 19:10
- — so he smote him therewith] This, as Josephus observes, was a most impious and execrable action, thus to murder a relation who had never injured him, out of envy for his being created general, and having an equal share in the king’s favour with himself. Dr. Chandler.
Had the heart of Amasa been privy to any cause of grudge, he would have suspected the kiss of Joab: but his innocent eyes looked to the lips, not to the hand, of his secret enemy. These lips were smooth, while the hand was bloody. This hand knew well this way unto death, having now let out, with the same kind of wound, the souls of two great men, Abner and Amasa, both of whom were smitten by Joab, under the mask of friendship. There is no enmity so dangerous, as that which comes masked with love. Open hostility calls us to our guard; but there is no fence against a trusted treachery. We need not be warned to avoid an enemy, but who would run away from a friend? Bp. Hall.
2 Samuel 19:12
- — all the people stood still,] As many as saw it, would move no further, till the body was removed out of the way. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 19:13
- And say ye to Amasa,] Who, though he was David’s nephew, (1 Chron. ii. 16, 17.) and therefore “of his bone and of his flesh,” was general of Absalom’s forces, and who therefore might be both ashamed and afraid to look David in the face, till encouraged by some kind message. Dr. Wells.
2 Samuel 19:14
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And he bowed the heart] That is, “Amasa” bowed the heart, &c. Dr. Chandler.
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— unto Abel, and to Beth-maachah,] Rather, unto Abel Beth-maachah, or Abel of Beth-maachah; for they were one and the same place, as appears from the next verse. Bp. Patrick.
out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
2 Samuel 19:15
- — and it stood in the trench:] That is, Joab’s army had advanced so far in their works, as to have filled up the trench, and stand at the very foot of the wall. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 19:16
- Then cried a wise woman out of the city,] It seems not improbable that this woman was governess in the city; for there want not instances, as in the case of Deborah, Judges iv. 4, and queen Athaliah, 2 Kings xi. 3, of women who have been employed in the administration of civil affairs. If she was invested with civil authority, she was the properest person to desire a parley with the general, knowing that the people were desirous of peace, and restrained only by Sheba’s authority. Stackhouse.
2 Samuel 19:18
- — They were wont to speak in old time, &c.] The meaning is by no means clear: the best sense seems to be, The inhabitants of the city spake in the beginning of the siege, saying, Surely they (Joab and his army) will ask us whether we will make peace before proceeding to
2 Samuel 19:22
- — What have I to do with you,] David, though warm in his temper, could not be vindictive: accordingly he rejected the advice of Abishai, as that of an enemy rather than a friend, and as tending to a degree of severity, which, now that he was restored, was wholly unnecessary. Dr. Chandler. David knew as well as Abishai, that Shimei’s submission proceeded from mere worldly policy, to prevent the punishment he deserved. But he, who had received forgiveness from God, judged piously that a like forgiveness to his enemy would not only be a seasonable act of mercy, but the most proper imitation of the Divine goodness, as well as a testimony to himself and to the world, of his own sincere repentance. Wogan.
This clemency of David is a lesson to every one to forgive, as much as possible, even the most heinous injuries, and not to give ear to those who would instil feelings of revenge. Osterwald. David knew himself to be a king, not of one party, but of his whole people, and therefore wisely resolved that his fatherly affection should extend to them all. He knew himself to be a sovereign, and he felt that mercy and forgiveness are the noblest privileges of sovereignty. Dr. Delaney.
2 Samuel 19:24
- — had neither dressed his feet,] He had wholly neglected his person, as was customary in times of publick sorrow: had neither dressed (or washed) his feet, as the Jews were accustomed to do very frequently; nor trimmed his beard, the custom of the Jews being, not to shave off their beards, but to cut them partially; nor washed his clothes. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 19:26
- — my servant deceived me:] Mephibosheth means, that he had ordered an ass to be made ready for him, to carry him to David; instead of which, Ziba saddled it for himself, and went with the false story, mentioned chap. xvi. 3.
Barzillai is dismissed, but his son retained. Before CHRIST 1023. d Chap. 16. 3.
ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
2 Samuel 19:29
- — I have said, Thou and Ziba &c.] This is probably the same order that David gave before, (chap. ix.) that Ziba should still take care of Mephibosheth’s estate, as he was formerly desired. Dr. Lightfoot.
2 Samuel 19:30
- — yea, let him take all.] Nothing could be more generously spoken, nor signifying greater affection; than that he himself was content to be a beggar, now that the king was restored to his kingdom. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 19:35
- I am this day fourscore years old: &c.] The loyalty and affection which Barzillai shews to David are truly admirable. He adhered to him in his lowest estate, and provided him and his army with sustenance; yet now refuses any other recompense of his great and faithful services, but the pleasure and satisfaction of having done his duty. He only begs leave to retire, that he may die at home. He is also an excellent example to men in years, to retire, some time
before they die, from the cares and vain pleasures of the world, that they may the better prepare for another, and may have nothing else to do, when death comes, than to depart in peace. Wogan.
The resolution of the venerable Barzillai was doubtless recorded as a pattern, that the aged should withdraw themselves from the delights and pretensions that are become unsuitable to their years, and leave them willingly to the succeeding generation. Abp. Secker.
2 Samuel 19:40
- — half the people of Israel.] That is, half the elders sent by the other tribes of Israel; David, it seems, to gratify his own tribe, continued his march, and did not wait for the arrival of the elders from the other tribes. Bp. Patrick.
2 Samuel 19:41
- — stolen thee away.] Taken thee clandestinely, as it were, from the rest of their brethren. Dr. Chandler.
2 Samuel 19:42
- — is near of kin] Is of our tribe, and therefore Sheba’s rebellion. CHAP. XIX, XX. David’s concubines are imprisoned.
fore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
2 Samuel 19:43
- — were fiercer] More vehement; or, more weighty in argument. As David did not think fit to interpose, the men of Israel thought that he favoured Judah; and hence arose a new rebellion. Bp. Patrick. From this contest, which arose between the men of Israel and the men of Judah, on the subject of the king’s restoration, we see the unhappy effects of pride and jealousy, when they mix with the duties of publick or private life: whereas the affair of peace and charity should ever be transacted with the spirit of peace and a charitable temper. Wogan.
Chap. XX. ver. 1. — We have no part in David.] As much as to say, Let the men of Judah have him for themselves; he cares not for us, and we care not for him. Bp. Patrick.