2 Samuel 19

2 Samuel 19:16-23

others of Christ should be preacher, of joy-ley. (2.) When we are backward in a good work, we need being stirred up. (3.) Christ chutes to reign over a willing people, and when he bows our hearts expects we should invite him to come and make his abode with us. (4.) No argument so effectual to gain the sinner’s hearts, as the love of his Lord. He is become our bone and our faith.

16. ¶ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamin, which was of Bahurim, halted and came down with the men of Judah, to meet king David. 17. And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and 18. Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. 19. And there went over a ferry-boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good: And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king as he was come over Jordan; 20. And Saul unto the king, Let not my lord impose iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did? I neverly the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 21. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph, to go down to meet my lord the king. 22. But Abidhat the son of Zeruiah answered and said, ‘Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed? 23. And David said, ‘What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be? adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know, that I am this day king over Israel? 24. Therefore the king said unto Shimei, ‘Thou shalt not die: And the king fware unto him.

David, now happily returning to be reunfated in his thrones, puffs the Jordan. There, the full to welcome his return, he meets two men, whose provocations were most likely to endanger their exclusion from the act of indemnity.

1. Ziba appears with a great retinue, whose lying tongue would now be soon detected, and therefore he would engage the king’s favour before-hand.

2. Shimei comes with a band of Benjamites, among the men of Judah, and falls down on his face before the king, as soon as he lands, imploring his pardon, and confelling the vileness of his conduct, and his repentance of it; as a reflinning of which, he is come the first of the house of Israel, and with his men, either his soldiers or his tenants, to profess his allegiance; and thereby to set others an example, whilst the king’s clemency extended to him would remove the fears of those who might be discouraged from returning to their duty. Abidhat fired with indignation at his traitorous conduct, moves for immediate execution; but David wisely rejects the motion with displeasure, as if the advice of an adversary: that day of triumph, when his kingdom was established, must not be stained with blood; his royal clemency inclined him to pardon, and his interest engaged him to it. Acts of severity might have exasperated those whose very fear would drive them into a new rebellion; therefore, with an oath, the king confirms Shimei’s pardon. Note, (1.) Clemency is one of the nobility qualities of a prince. (2.) When rebel sinners appear at the foot of Divine Mercy, though Satan stand to accuse them, there shall be no condemnation.

3. ¶ And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king: and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor wafted his clothes, from the day the king departed, until the day he came again in peace. 25. And it came to pass when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? 26. And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me; for thy servant said, I will siddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king, because thy servant is lame. 27. And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. 28. For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet doubt thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table: what right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? 29. And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said,

‘Thou and Ziba divide the land. 30. And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yes, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

2 Samuel 19:24-30

David now enters Jerusalem in triumph, and there Mephibosheth comes to congratulate him, who, during the king’s exile, had spent his time in mourning, neglecting his pardon, and neither trimming nor dwelling himself for so long a time. David, who, from Ziba’s misrepresentation, adjudged Mephibosheth not only of great ingratitude but of hate designs, is surprised, in answer to his enquiry, why he had not followed him, to find how blameless he was, and how vilely he had been imposed upon; yet Mephibosheth is so sensible of David’s goodness, in his past favours towards him, and so rejoiced in his present return, that he preforms not to controvert the royal grant to Ziba, but enters the matter wholly to the king’s wisdom. David trecapon settles the estate on the former footing; not punishing Ziba as he deferred, because that was a day of mercy, or in return for the real service done him, though with so wicked a purpose; and thus Mephibosheth is again enlisted in his inheritance. Note, (1.) In times of public distress we are called to weeping and mourning. (2.) Wicked servants do their mutton unattended iniquities. (3.) A good man sits loose to his own interest, compared with the interests of God’s church and people.

31. ¶ And Barzilai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32. Now Barzilai was a very aged man, even fourfcore years old, and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanam: for he was a very great man. 33. And the king said unto Barzilai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. 34. And Barzilai said unto the king, ‘How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 35. I am this day fourfcore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant take what I eat, or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing-men and singing-women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36. Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37. Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be derred by the grave of my father, and of my mother: but behold thy servant Chimbam, let him go over with my lord the king, and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. 38. And the king answered, Chimbam shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt I require of me, that will I do for thee. 39. And all the people went over Jordan: and when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzilai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.

2 Samuel 19:31-39

The aged and good Barzilai, after all the kindnesses shewed to the king at Mahanam, comes to pay his last respects to him, and accompany him as far as Jordan in his return.

1. David had been greatly indebted to him during his exile; for being a man of vast estate, and generous as he was great, he had liberally ministered to the wants of the king and his servants, during their encampment at Mahanam. Note, Ruches are then truly bieffings when possessed by men of generous minds, and liberally ministered to the support of oppressed innocence, and the deserving indigent.

2. David, sensible of his kindness, resolves now to make him ample amends, invites him with him to Jerusalem, with the kindest assurances that he should want no comfort which his palace could afford, and be a constant and welcome guest at his table. Note, A grateful heart is happy to have it in his power to recompense his kind friends.

3. Barzilai professes the deepest acknowledgments for the king’s generous offer; a recompense so far exceeding his poor services: but, linking now under age and indomnity, begs the king to excuse his not accepting the kind invitation; he should be but a useless burden on the king; the time for relishing the delights of a court with him was past; at fourfcore, dainties had lost their favour, and the fongs of melody were no longer enchanting: it became him now not to let out in life, but prepare for death, and to be gathered to the sepulchre of his fathers. But not to fight the king’s favours, if he doubts that his son Chimbam shall attend his majesty to court, he will commend him to his regard. Note, (1.) Noble minds count all they do to serve their friends but little. (2.) In the day when

where the son of David shall appear in his kingdom, his saints will be filled with wonder at the forpassing recompense be- flowed on their worthless services. (3.) It is time for the aged to have done with courts, and the delights of forfe; they who are so near the grave, have but one proper business, no retire and provide for it. (4.) The concerts of a court, and the elegancies of a king’s table, may be perfectly consistent with the true piety of heart.

4. David embraces the proposal gladly, and affirms his aged friend, that he can ask nothing he will not do for him; and with a kiss of affection dismisses him with his blessing, thanking him for past kindness, and praying that God would be with him. On which the good Barzilai returns to his happy retirement at Regulim.

5. Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel. 41. And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah, stolen thee away, and have brought the king and his household, and all David’s men with him over Jordan? 42. And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s co? or hath he given us any gift? 43. And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did we have also more right in David than ye: why then did

2 Samuel 19:40-43

David now is peacefully advancing to take profession of his kingdom, when an unexpected incident interrupts and damps his comfort.

1. The men of Judah and part of the men of Israel were advanced to Gilgal, when the rest of the tribes met them returning, and think themselves slighted; and jealous withal, that they intended to ingrate the king’s favour, they angrily objected to their conduct. Note, Only from pride cometh contention.

2. The men of Judah reply with warmth to the charge, that as the king was near of kin to them, and his home in their tribe, they were especially bound to conduct him: and far from the infatuation of self-seeking, they had neither eaten at the king’s coft, nor received any pretext from him. Note, True patriots detest a m. recency spirit.

3. The men of Israel reply to this vindication, that they had ten parts in the king, Simeon being reckoned with Judah; and as being more numerous, had more right to be considered, and looked upon it as a designed contempt thus to be neglected. The men of Judah exasperated, reply, and one high word brought on another; but the men of Judah were fiercely, and the end of their hot dispute proved a new rebellion. Note, (1.) Even when we are in the right, we should rather yield than contend. (2.) Leave off meddling betimes, least mischief ensue. (3.) They who are in a passion, are sure to speak wrong, even though they have truth on their side.