2 Samuel 19
DortJoab, by hard threatings, moveth David to give over mourning for Absalom, and to shew himself to the people, ver.1, &c. David is restored unto his Kingdom, and maketh Amasa Commander in chief in Joabs room, 13. Simei sueth to David for mercy, and obtaineth it, 16. David restoreth took back unto Mephiboseth, upon proof of his innocency, the half of his estate, 24. Is desirous to have good old Barzillai with him at Court, but he desiring to be excuseth, he taketh his son Chimham in his room, 31. The other tribes contend with them of Juda, for their hastiness in bringing back, and conducting the King; 41.
1. And it was told Joab: Behold, the King weepeth, and mourneth for Absalom.
2. Then the deliverance [Or, Salvation, Conquest, Victory] became that day mourning unto all the people [i.e. The joy which the people should have shewed for the Victory, was turned into sorrow and mourning] for the people had heard say that day; It grieveth the King for his son. [or, the King is very much grieved.]
3. And the people came that day by stealth [Heb. The people stole themselves to come, or, coming] into the city: [viz. Mahanaim] according as people steal away, that are ashamed, when they fled in battle.
4. Now the King had his face wound about, [Or, covered. In token of great mourning: see above chap.15. on v.30.] and the King cried with a loud voice: My son Absalom, Absalom my son, my son! [see above chap.18.on v.33.]
5. Then Joab came into the house to the King, and said; Thou hast shamed this day the face of all thy servants, which have this day freed thy soul, [Tha is here, thy life, or person, as elsewhere often] and the soul of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the soul of thy wives, and the soul of thy concubines.
6. Loving them that hate thee, and hating them that love thee: for thou declares this day, that Commanders and servants are nothing with thee; for this day I perceive, that if Absalom lived, and all we were dead this day, that it would then be right in thine eyes.
7. Now then arise, go forth, and speak to the heart of thy servants: [See gen.34.on ver.3.] for I swear by the LORD, when thou goest not forth, if there overnight one man with thee this night! [Understand with all, then God do this and that to me; kind of oath as often] and this will be worse unto thee, then all the evil that hath befallen thee from youth, until now.
8. Then the King arose, and sat himself (down) in the gate: and they let all the people know saying: Behold the King sitteth in the gate: Then all the people came before the Kings face, but Israel [viz. who had followed Absalom] was fled, every man to his tents. [i.e. dweilling places.]
9. And all the people, in all tribes of Israel, were contending among themselves, [With sorrow and shame condemning themselves] saying; The King hath delivered us from the hand of our enemies, and he hath freed us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he is fled out of the Land from Absalom!
10. And Absalom, whom we had anointed over us, [i.e. Whom we had chosen to be King, and intended to cause him to be anointed] is dead in the battle: Now then, why do ye hold your peace [or, are still quiet: see Judg.18.on verse 9.] of bringing the King [viz. David, our lawful and bountiful King] back.
11. Then King David sent to Zadok, and to Abiathar, the Priests, saying; [i.e. To send word to them] speak unto the Eldest of Juda, saying: Why should ye be the last, to bring the King back into his house? [i.e. into the Royal Court or Palace at Jerusalem] (for the speech of all Israel [related in the former verses] was come to the King in his house.) [viz. at Mahanaim.]
12. Ye are my brethren, ye are my bone and my flesh. [See above chap.5.on v.1. so in the following verse] Why then should ye be the last to bring back the King?
13. And ye [Priests, Zadok and Abiathar] shall say unto Amasa; Art thou not my bone and my flesh? [For he was David’s sister son: see above chap.17.on v 25.] Let God do so to me, and let him so add thereunto, [Of such kind of swearing, see Ruth 1.on v.17.& 1 King.19on v.2.] if thou shalt not be chief Commander before my face, all days, in Joabs room. [see above chap.3.on verse 39.]
14. So he [viz. David; some apply it to Amasa] bowed the heart of all the men of Juda, as of one man; [That they were so unanimous, of one accord, as one man: see Judg.20.on v.1.] and they sent forth to the King, (saying); Return, and thou and all thy servants.
15. Then the King returned, and came to Jordan; and Juda came to Gilgal, to go to meet the King, to conduct the King over the Jordan.
16. And Simei, the son of Gera, a son of Jemini, [i.e. a Benjamite: see above chap 16.on v.11.] which was of Bahurim [see above chap 3.on verse 16. & chap.16.5.] made haste, and came down with the men of Juda, to meet King David.
17. And a thousand men of Benjamin with him; also Ziba the servant [Heb. Lad: so above chap.2.9.on vers.1. & chap.16.1, &c. This man feared that David would come to know (as indeed he did) of his deceitful dealing with Mephiboseth: therefore he sought by this serviceableness of his to mollisie and soften the Kings heart against it, by way of prevention; which also happened unto him] of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons, and his twenty servants [as above chap.9.10.] with him; and they went readily over the Jordan, [or, they made the Jordan ready; i.e. they made all things fit and ready for the King his household, to pass over] before the King. [i.e. before the King was come to the Ferry of Jordan, to pass over, they were all got over, and had got all things ready.]
18. Now when the Wherry [Or, Hulk, Ferry-boat] went over, to fetch over the Kings house, [i.e. the King with his household] and do that which was good in his eyes; then Simei, the son of Gera, fell down before the Kings face, when he went over the Jordan: [Oth. when he was come over, or, should go over.]
19. And he said unto the King; Let not my Lord impute the iniquity unto me, neither remember, what thy servant did perversely that day, when my Lord the King went out Jerusalem, that the King should take it to heart. [i.e. Regard it, mind it, and cause me to be punished according to my desert. Heb. put it in, or, to his heart.]
20. For thy servant [i.e. I] Knoweth assuredly, (that) I have sinned: but be hold, I am come this day the first of all the house of Joseph, [Hereby he understandeth not onely Ephraim and Manasseh, but also Benjamin (of which tribe he was, ver.16.) because Joseph and Benjamin were entire brethren, both of one father and mother; so that Benjamin also marched up under the standard of Ephraim, Numb.10.22, 23, 24. Some understand, that he would say, that he came sooner then any man of the ten tribes, or Ephraim and Manasseh; but it seemeth that here by the house of Joseph, are meant the Israelites in general, opposed to the house of Juda] to go down to meet my Lord the King.
21. Then Abisai, the son of Zeruja, answered, and said; should then Simei not be put to death for this? [That he sueth for mercy, and is come to meet the King] seeing he hath cursed the LORDS anointed. [Compare 1 Sam.24.7. of David’s anointing King, see 2 Sam.5.on v.3.]
22. But David said; What have I to do with you, [See above chap.16.on ver.10.] ye sons of Zeruja, that ye should this day be Sathan [i.e. adversary, oppose, that hiners me, and crosseth me in mine intent and purpose; compare Matth.16.23. see further, Job 1.on verse 6.] should any man be put to death this day in Israel? [compare 1 Sam.11.13.] for do not I know, that I am this day made King over Israel? [as if he should say again, as it were a new, &c.]
23. And the King said unto Simei, Thou shalt not die: [Meaning this day, and so on ward during my reign, I will not cause thee to be punished: yet in regard Simei’s fault was very scandalous and gross, and did likewise much concern the Publike, therefore David would not that he should altogether, or forever go unpunished: see 1 King.2.9, 10.] and the King sware unto him.
24. Mephiboseth, the son of Saul, [i.e. His Grandchild. For Mephiboseth was Jonathans son, above chapter 9 3, 6, &c.] came also down to meet the King: and he had not made his feet clean, nor shaved his muchato-beard, that is, (as this word elsewhere is often taken) dressed himself, sitted, or ordered. Compare especially Deut.21.on ver.12.] nor washed his clothes, [these were all tokens of great grief and sorrow, that Mephiboseth took at David’s misfortune, who had done him so much good. Compare above chap.12.20.] from that day, that the King was departed, [viz. from Jerusalem, fleeing from Absalom] until that day that he came again in peace.
25. And it came to pass, when he cane to Jerusalem to meet the King, [After the King was come into Jerusalem: It seemeth he found no opportunity by the way, or was afraid to speak to the King. Oth. when Jerusalem (that is, the inhabitants of Jerusalem) came to meet the King, among whom Mephiboseth joined himself, to meet the King at the Jordan] that the King said unto him; Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephiboseth?
26. And he said; My Lord (O) King, my servant [viz. Ziba] deceived me: for thy servant said; I will saddle me an ass, and ride thereon, and go to the King, for thy servant is cripple.
27. Beside, he hath falsly accused thy servant unto my Lord the King: [See above chap.16.3.] but my Lord the King is as an Angel of God; [as above chap.14.17.] do then that which is good in thine eyes.
28. For all my Fathers [i.e. My Grand father Sauls] house was nothing, but as men of death [i.e. they had all deserved death: compare Gen.20.on ver.3. &2 Sam. 12.on ver.5.] before my Lord the King, yet thou didst set thy servant among them that eat at thy table: [see above chap.9.7, 10, 13.] what have I then more to cry for justice unto the King? [to complain of the wrong that my servant hath done me.]
29. Then said the King unto him; Why speakest thou more (of) thy matters? I have said; [viz. When I called to mind, that Ziba had done thee wrong: or I say, that is, ordain, and appoint. So much had Ziba by his cunning plots and devices prevailed with this, otherwise most wise King, that he obtained a reward or gratuity, in stead of a punishment, which he had most justly deserved, by reason of his shameful unfaithfulness shewed towards Mephiboseth, and his lying and falsehood whereby he had consented and cheated the King] Thou and Ziba divided the Land.
30. And Mephiboseth said unto the King; Let him also take all away: forasmuch as my Lord the King is come in peace into his (own) house. [As if he had said, It sufficeth me, that the publick thriveth: As for mine own particular, I weigh it not; or, I’ll bear that loss patiently, considering the Public prospereth so well]
31. Barzillai the Gileadite [See above chap.17.27. and 1 Kings 2:7.] came down also from Rogelim; [Before the King passed over the Jordan] and he went with the King over the Jordan, to conduct him over the Jordan.
32. Now Barzillai was very old, a man [Heb. a son] of fourscore years: and he had sustained the King, when he abode at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. [In power or means. As 1 Sam.25.2.]
33. And the King said unto Barzillai, come thou over with me, and I wil sustain thee with me at Jerusalem.
34. But Barzillai said unto the King. How many will the days of the years of my life be, that I should go up with the King to Jerusalem? [As if he had said: I have now but a little time to live, why then should I undergo that troubled?]
35. I am this day fourscore years old; [Heb. a son of fourscore years] should I be able to distinguish between good and evil? Should thy servant be able to taste what I eat, and what I drink? Should I be able to hearken (any) more to the voice of singing-men, and singing-women? and why should thy servant be (any) more a burden unto my Lord the King? [Intimating that he was too old, to take delight in all those things; that it besitted him better to be hear his grave, and to prepare himself for his dying day]
36. Thy servant shall go but a little (way) over the Jordan with the King: why now should the King make me such a recompense? [for a small courtesie give so great a reward]
37. Let thy servant, I pray, turn back again, that I may die in mine (own) city, by my fathers and mothers grave: but behold, there is thy servant Chimham, [Called Chihan, below vers.40. One of Barzilla’s sons, as appeareth by 1 Kings 2 7.] let him go over with my Lord the King, and do to him, that which is good in thine eyes.
38. Then said the King; Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him, that with is good in thine eyes: [That which shall be acceptable and well-pleasing unto thee] yea all that thou shalt desire of me [Heb. shalt chuse, to wit, for to desire of me, or, whatsoever shall please thee, whatsoever shall be delightful and acceptable unto thee. See above chap.15.on vers.15.] will I do unto thee.
39. Now when all the people had passed over the Jordan, and the King also had passed had over, [With the wherry or ferry-boat. As v.18.] the King kissed Barzillai, [Taking his leave of him, with thanksgiving and wishing him all happiness. See Genes.29 on vers.11.] and blessed him; so he returned unto his (own) place [i.e. Barzillai returned to Rogelim]
40. And the King went on to Gilgal, and Chimhan went on with him: and all the people of Juda had brought the King over, [Or, conducting the King: and so in the following verse] as also one part [Heb. the half: which is sometimes taken for a part] of the people of Israel, [i.e. Of the other tribes]
41. And behold, all the men of Israel came unto the King: and they said unto the king: Why have our brethren, the men of Juda, stolen thee, [i.e. going alone by themselves as it were by stealth, without sending for us] etc have brought [Or, conducted] the King and his house, and all David’s men with him [i.e. David’s Officesr and souldiers were all with David, and held with them of Juda, who had moved David himself to it, above v.11.12, 14. Therefore those of Juda spake the bolder. Or, All David s men (were) now by him; to wit, by the King, who had all his officers and souldiers by, or, about him] over the Jordan.
42. Then all the men of Juda answered the men of Israel, Because the King is near of kin to us: [Heb. me; viz, the tribe of Juda,] and wherefore are ye naow angry for this matter? Have we eaten at all [Heb. eating eaten] of The Kings (cost,) [Heb. of the King] or hath he given us a gift? [As if they should say, Do ye think that the King hath bought or bribed us with good chear, or with gifts and presents to do it?]
43. And the men of Israel answered the men of Juda, and said; We [Heb. I; to wit, Israel: and so in the following words] have ten parts [Heb. hands. They say this, because they were ten tribes, and in that regard had ten voices] in the King [i.e. in the King in general, or in the Kingdom, and also in this Kingdom, and also in this King David, whom we with our common vote have chosen, 2 Sam.5.1.] and we have also more (right) in David then ye: why then did ye dis-esteem us, that our word was not the first, to bring our King back, again? [i.e. that we had not the first voice, or led on the van in this business] But the word of the men of Juda, was harder then the word of the men of Israel. [i.e. it was stronger, mightier, more powerful, so that those of Israel could not prevail, but were sain to desist.]