2 Samuel 19
PATimpute iniquity to thy servant, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely in the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.] Resent it so deeply, as to be revenged of him.
2 Samuel 19:1
A.ND it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. For Joab was now come to the city himself, to give the king an account of the fight; and it is likely Ahimaaz, or Cushi, informed him how heavily the king took the news of his son’s death.
2 Samuel 19:2
And the victory. That is, the joy for the victory. That day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day, how the king grieved for his son.] They had so great a regard to their prince, that when they heard of his affliction, they were afflicted with him; and instead of triumphing, they also made lamentations.
2 Samuel 19:3
Arid the people gat them by stealth that day into (Tie city. Not by the gate where David was, but by some secret way, that he might not seo them. Just like thieves, who are afraid to bo discovered and punished for what they have done. As people being ashamed steal away ivhen they flee in battle.] As if they had lost the day, and not been victorious.
2 Samuel 19:4
And the king covered his face. Such was the custom of deep mourners (as Kimchi here observes), that they might neither see, nor be seen. As being ashamed (saith R. Levi) any should behold their rueful looks. And the king cried tvith a loud voice, O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!] It is observed by many learned men, that the oriental people expressed their passions with greater vehemence than we are wont to do in these parts of the world. Where crying out aloud with a doleful voice, called howling in* Scripture, is not usual; but was common among the Jews, as we see before in David, (iii. 32.) and at the laying the foundation of the temple after the captivity, when they that wept with a loud voice, drowned the voice of those that shouted for joy, (Ezra iii.
2 Samuel 19:5
And Joab went into the house of the king. It seems by this, that David was removed before Joab came from the top of the gate, and gone to his house, where he was wont to reside. And said, Tlidu hast shamed this day the faces of all thy serva7itsJ] Making them hang down their heads, as if they had committed such a’crime that they were ashamed to look men in the face. Which this day have saved thy m life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines.] Of all that was dear unto him.
2 Samuel 19:6
In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. In whose preservation he seemed to take no pleasure, but only to grieve for the loss of a rebellious son. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants.] Neither himself, nor Abishai, nor Ittai, nor any of the great officers and faithful soldiers, who had adventured their lives for him. For this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.] This was spoken by Joab too sharply, and insolently; yet it was something necessary at this time to awaken David out of a strange lethargy, which made him take notice of nobody, but behave himself as if he had no concern for any person in the world, but for Absalom alone, who was gone out of it.
2 Samuel 19:7
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak com fortably to thy servants.* He wishes him to go and shew himself to his people, and acknowledge their good service, praise their courage, and congratulate their happy success: giving the honours and largesses that were due unto them, or promising them rewards proportionable to their merits. For I swear by the Lord, if thou go not, forth.] Unto the people, and declare how sensible he was of their services. There will not tarry tvith thee one man this night.] He resolved, and confirmed it with the most solemn oath, that he would lead his whole army away from him, and leave him alone. David seems to have answered nothing to all this discourse, which moved Joab to conclude with these harsh words. And that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that bef el thee from thy youth until now.] For during the cruel persecution of Saul, as well as in this exile, he had a good company of faithful persons with him. Josephus expresses this threatening very well, Tore <roi ttikqotzqov, ml a?j^c TrotTjtra) to 7riv9o$, I will make thee weep for something (as we speak), and more bitterly than ever.
2 Samuel 19:8
Tlien the king arose, and sat in the gate. Where the concourse of people used to be about business. For the gate was a spacious place, and the same thing with the exchange, or the forum among the Romans. The market for commodities was held here, as we learn from the prophecy of Elisha, who foretold corn should be sold at such a rate the next day in the g&te of Samaria, (2 Kings vii.2.) which was a very large place, since Ahab assembled there four hundred false prophets, (1 Kings xxii. 10.) In these gates also there was some building, wherein were scats for the elders and judges: for Boaz having a cause to be heard, went up to the gate, and sat down there, (Ruth iv. CHAP. XIX.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 1, 2.) And so many public assemblies being held here, it makes it probable that the chamber over the gate (mentioned in the foregoing chapter), where David \£ent to weep, was the place where the privy-council were wont to meet. And they told unto all the people.] That were in the city and elsewhere. Saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before tlte king.] To congratulate to him his safety, and to receive the tokens of his favour. For all Israel Jiad fled, every man to his tent.] Until the people heard the king appeared publicly, and no longer bewailed Absalom.
2 Samuel 19:9
And all the people were at strife through all the tribes of Israel. Who should be forwardest to bring back the king: blaming one another’s slackness in it. Saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines, and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.] They call to mind what benefits they had received by his means, in their deliverance from many enemies; especially the Philistines, who had grievously oppressed them: and also their great ingratitude to him in driving him out of Jerusalem, and forcing him to flee over Jordan, for the sake of Absalom.
2 Samuel 19:10
And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. We do not read of his being actually anointed: but they chose him for their king, and obeyed him as if he had. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?] They spake this to their elders; who seem to have been dubious what to do until they heard the sense of the people.
2 Samuel 19:11
And David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests. By their sons, whom he had with hira. Saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah.] The priests were men of great authority, especially the high-priest and his deputy, and most proper to be employed to deal with the ciders. Saying, Why arc ye the last to bring the king back to his house?] That which made them so cold, was, I suppose, the sense of their guilt in joining with Absalom: who began his conspiracy in Jerusalem itself, and perfected it in Hebron, both cities of Judah. Whose revolt was the baser, because he was of their tribe, and had long shewn his great kindness to them, (1 Sam. xxx. 26, &c.) the conscience of which made them afraid to bring him again to Jerusalem. (Seeing the speech of all Israelis come to the king, even to his house).] These last words, even to his house, seem to be but a repetition of what was said before, to Ms house; viz. at Jerusalem: the other words being a parenthesis.
2 Samuel 19:12
Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh. That is, he had much kindred among them. Why are ye then the last to bring the king back?] He expresses the greater kindness to them, lest they should be so desperate as to defend Jerusalem against him.
2 Samuel 19:13
And say unto Amasa, Art not thou of my bone, and of my flesh?. That is, his sister’s son: whom he bids them particularly court; for, being general of Absalom’s forces, he might through shame and fear be very loath to look his unclean the face. God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room ofJoab.] He solemnly promises to prefer him to the highest gommand in the kingdom: for now he thought it a fit time to depress Joab; who was grown insufferably insolent and imperious. For he had slain Abner most perfidiously in cold blood; “and killed Absalom against the king’s command; and now lately insulted him in his sorrow: threatening (if we may believe Josephus) rfjv (SaaiXdax) tripy irapaSovvai, that he would depose him, and deliver the kingdom to some other person. This promise David endeavoured to perform; bidding Amasa take upon him to assemble all the men of Judah, (xx. 4.) yet leaving Joab (ver. 7.) the command of his own legion. Which he took so heinously, that he killed Amasa; and was captain of the host again, more out of fear than any favour David had for him: for if Amasa had lived, David would have humbled him. For Amasa had a great interest in Israel, over whom he had commanded in chief; especially inthe tribe of Judah, whose heart he bowed to receive David again, as it here follows.
2 Samuel 19:14
And he bovjed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man. Either this disposition was wrought in them by Amasa; or the kind words delivered from David by Zadok and Abiathar overcame them. So that they sent this word unto the king.”] By some messenger of their own. i * Return thou, and all thy servants.] Assuring him they were ready to receive him, and return to their obedience*
2 Samuel 19:15
So the king returned, and came to Jordan. Began to return back, and came as far as Jordan: which parted the country where he was from the land of Canaan. And Judah.] That is, the elders of Judah. Came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.] This was an expression of their great affection, to come thus far to attend him, and to furnish him, I suppose, with accommodations in his journey: for Gilgal was near Jordan; on the other side of the river.
2 Samuel 19:16
And Shimei, the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted, and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. Hoping David would receive him kindly in such good company.
2 Samuel 19:17
And there, were a thousand men of Benjamin with him. He was nobly attended, to shew how powerful he was, and what an interest he had in his country: and yet came to implore the king’s mercy. Perhaps he was a captain of a thousand in his own tribe: who came with him to intercede for his pardon. And Ziba,the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him.] See ix. 10. And they went over Jordan before the king.] They were so officious as to go further than the men of Judah, to the other side of Jordan, where the king was: before whom they passed over.
2 Samuel 19:18
And there went over aferry-boat. Prepared, as many suppose, by the men of Judah. Josephus will haye it a bridge; composed, perhaps, of many boats joined together. To carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good.] To carry over what he pleased to order. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan.] As soon as he landed.
2 Samuel 19:19
Andsaid unto the king, Let not my lord the king
2 Samuel 19:20
For thy servant doth kuoiv that I have sinned.\ He professes himself sensible of the crime he had committed, and wa^ sorry for it. Tlierefore, behold, I come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.’] To shew by his example what the rest should do: and, as the Hebrew doctors gloss upon it, they would all see in him an instance either of David’s clemency, or severity; and accordingly behave themselves. He was not properly of the house of Joseph, but of a tribe near of kin to it: so that at this time, it seems, they looked upon themselves as members of the same body; being descended from the same mother: and they continued so till the kingdom was rent. For Benjamin is placed between Ephraim and Manasseh (the two sons of Joseph)in Psal. Ixxx. 2. and they marched under the same standard, Numb. ii. 18, 19, &e.
2 Samuel 19:21
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?. He would have gone and done execution upon him, at that time when he cursed, (xvi. 9.) and now he imagined there could be no reason to spare him.
2 Samuel 19:22
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah. It seems Joab joined with his brother: who thought to govern all the king’s motions as they pleased. But lie bids them, in a disdainful manner, stand aside, and not meddle in, this matter. That ye should this day be adversaries unto me?] Hinder me from following my own inclinations, and set my people against me. For by following this advice, he might have alienated the hearts of all Israel from him, and made them fear the like punishment for their revolt.. Shall any man bepxit to death this day in Israel?’] In a time of universal joy, he would not have any family have cause to make lamentation. It was accounted an ill omen among other nations, if any man was put to death on the king’s birth-day: and this was a second natalis imperii, birth-day of David’s empire; which he would not have sullied with any cloud of sorrow. For do I not know that J am this day king of Israel?] He had power to punish, or to pardon, as he pleased: and being restored to his kingdom, would not enter upon it with blood.
2 Samuel 19:23
Tlierefore the king said unto Sldnxei, TJiou shalt not die: and the king sware unto him. That he would not put him to death. But this did not oblige him not to give such a charge as he did to Solomon, to do justice upon him for any new disobedience. Nothing is more glorious than mercy and clemency, as the heathens themselves were sensible. Caesar saith in a letter of his to Oppius and Cornelius (which is among Cicero’s Epistles), " Iloec nova est vincendi ratio," &c. This is a new way of conquering, to fence ourselves by mercy and liberality, (lib. ix. Epist. ad Atticum.)
2 Samuel 19:24
And Mephibosheth the son of Saul. That is, his grandson. Came doivn to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet*] But wholly neglected himself, as they used to do in a time of public sorrow. For the not dressing his feet sig– nifies(asSehiekard and others understand) that he had not cut the nails of his toes; but let them grow, as he did his beard. It may be understood of his not washing his feet; the neglect of which made men very sordid. For in those countries, they lying upon beds when they ate (as Scaliger observes in his sixth book de Emend. Temporum), put off their shoes, and washed their feet,." ne pulverosis pedibus strata inquinarent," lest they should defile the carpets with their dusty feet* Besides, in hot weather the smell of their feet without washing was offensive. Nor trimmedhis beard.] He. not only let the hair grow, but took no care to put it in good order. For the words in the Hebrew are, he had not done any thing to his feet, nor any thing to his beard. Nor ivashed his clothes.] His shirt, nor any of the linen which he wore. As for their woollen garments, they w T ere not wont to wash them. From the day the king departed until the day he came, again in peace.] This long-continued mourning argued him, to be really afflicted for the king’s exile.
2 Samuel 19:25
And it came to pass, when he was come to Jem-, salem to meet the king. It is manifest from the foregoing, verse, that he came down from some other place to Jerusalem to meet the king: but could not meet him sooner, as others had done, because Zibahadgothis estate, and, it is. likely, w r ould not furnish him w r ith an ass, no more than he had done when David fled away. That the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest thou not with me, Mephibosheth?] As prudence, as well as gratitude, obliged him.
2 Samuel 19:26
And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I tvill saddle my ass, and ride thereon, and go to the king; for thy servant is lame. 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 that false story, w r hieh is mentioned xvi. 3.
2 Samuel 19:27
And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is an angel of God. To discern between truth and falsehood. Do therefore what is good in thy sight.] And therefore ho submits himself entirely to his judgment, and trusted to, his kindness. He had great reason so to do, as he confesses in the next w r ords. t
2 Samuel 19:28
For all my father’s house were bid dead men before my lord the king; yet didst thou set thy serva?it among those that did eat at thy own table. The undeserved benefits he had received from David made him absolutely resign himself to his will and pleasure. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more to the king?] He did not challenge any thing as his right, nor thought it decent to trouble the king further with his complaints.
2 Samuel 19:29
And the king said unto him, UHiy speakest thou any more of thy matters?. As if he had said, Enough, enough; 1 desire to hear no more of the injuries done me by the house of Saul. J Tiave said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.] Some of the Hebrew doctors understand this, as if he now parted the estate formerly given to Mephibosheth between him CHAP. XIX.] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. arid Ziba; partly out of shame, lest he should appear too rash and hasty of belief in giving all to Ziba, and partly out of suspicion that the too great wealth of Mephibosheth might make him ambitious. But they acknowledge this sentence to be unjust, Ziba making no defence for himself. And some of them say, a voice from heaven was heard thereupon, saying, That God would make the like division of David’s kingdom, between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. But if we carefully attend to the words, they carry another sense in them; being as much as if he had said, My first grant shall stand; when he decreed that Mephibosheth should be lord of the land, and Ziba should manage it for him, ix. 10. (See Selden, de Successionibus, cap. 25. fol. 89, 90. where he makes out this very clearly.) •
2 Samuel 19:30
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king i$ come again in peace unto his oivn house. Nothing could be more generously spoken, nor signified greater affection, than that he was content to be a beggar, now that the king was restored to his kingdom. Vcr. 31. And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim.] A place in Mount Gilead. And went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.’] Merely to bring him on his way so far, and then return.
2 Samuel 19:32
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old. Which was a great age in David’s days, (Psal. xc. 10.) And he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.] And had a very large heart, which moved him to supply the wants of David, and all his family and attendants, as long as he stayed at Mahanaim, which was a considerable time. Pliny relates, that Crassus denied any man to be rich, who was not able to maintain a legion, lib. xxxiii. Natural. Hist. cap. 10. where he mentions one that entertained all Xerxes’ army at a feast: but here was a far more rare example of virtue in Barzillai, who maintained not a prosperous prince in all his glory, but a distressed prince in his exile, when no hope appeared of a reward.
2 Samuel 19:33
And the king said unto Barzillai, Come over with me, and I will’ feed thee with me at Jerusalem. Entertain him at his own table, as a singular friend.
2 Samuel 19:34
And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that~I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?. He excuses himself, by several reasons, for not accepting the king’s kindness; and the first is, because, as he was unfit for travel so far, so, for so short a time as he had to live, it was not prudent to change his dwelling.
2 Samuel 19:35
lam this day fourscore years old;and can I discern between good and evil?. These general words arc" explained by the particulars which follow. Can thy servant taste what I eat and drink? can I hear any more thevoice of singing-men, and singing -women?] His second reason is, that the king’s kindness would be ill bestowed upon one that had no relish left of any of the pleasures of a court. Wherefore then should thy sewant be a burden unto my lord the king?] A third is, that instead of doing the king any service he should prove a burden to him; for old men must have some to wait on them, and take care of them. Vcr. 3G. Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king.] Express his dutiful affection to him, as far as he was able. And why should the king recompense 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.
2 Samuel 19:37
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in my own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. He beseeches him, for a fourth reason, not to press him to go further; but suffer him to enjoy that whicli old men naturally desire; to die in the place where they have lived, and to be buried with their ancestors. But behold thy servant Chimham; let kiriigo over with my lord the king, and do unto him what shall seem good unto thee.] That he might not seem rude in refusing the king’s gracious’ offer, he desires him to translate his kindness to his son, and bestow upon him what he pleased.
2 Samuel 19:38
And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do unto him that which shall seem good unto thee. He would not have it left to his choice what he should do for Chimham; but desires the good old man to say what lie would have for him, and it should be done. We do not read what Barzillai asked, or what David did for him: but there being mention made in Jer. xli. 17. of the habitation of Chimham, and that near to Beth-lehem, it is a very reasonable conjecture of Grotius, in his annotations on that place*, that David, having a patrimony in the field of Beth-lehem, the place of his nativity, “Jus ibi habitandi, et fructus quosdam suos faciehdi dedit Chimhamo,” he bestowed it upon Barzillai’s son; and from thence this place took the name of Chimham, which remained until the days of Jeremiah. And whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee.] He promises withal, that when Barzillai was gone home, if he had any occasion to petition him, his request should be granted.
2 Samuel 19:39
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was gone over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him. They parted with great kindness, and the king prayed God to requite what Barzillai had done for him, " And he returned to his place.] “With great satisfaction, that he had seen his sovereign in his way to be restored to his kingdom.
2 Samuel 19:40
And the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. As one of his near attendants. And all the people ofJudah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.] That is, the elders and great men both of Judah and Israel. To gratify his own tribe, David marched on, not expecting the coming of all the great men of Israel, who were making themselves ready to wait upon him.
2 Samuel 19:41
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king. When the other half of the Israelites were got together, they thus expostulated with 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?] That is, why did they make such haste, and not expect our consent and assistance, who were as zealous as themselves to’ bring the king hack? They seem to take it ill, that not only David and his family, but all Ms men, i. e. his soldiers and guards, 3G4 A COMMENTARY UPON [chap. XX. should be brought over Jordan; as if they would force their way, whether the Israelites would or no. Ver..42. And all the men of Jndah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us.] Being of their tribe, which justly required they should be more forward than others in his service. Wherefore then be ye angry with us?] For our afTection to him. Have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?] We get nothing by it, but have only done our duty, and testified our great afTection. Abarbinel thinks these words, given us any gift, import expiation and pardon; as in Gen. xviii.26. Numb. vi.2G. and aro as much as if they had said, Hath he granted us a pardon for what we did in the business of Absalom? “Whereby they suggested, that the Israelites were the principal actors in that rebellion, and needed an act of oblivion, though they did not.
2 Samuel 19:43
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judahy and said. The words are not as before, all the men of Israel: which is a sign some of them were cooled, though most of them continued violent. We have ten parts in the king.] By the king is here meant the kingdom: ten parts of which they say were theirs (whereas there were eleven tribes besides Judah), because Simeon, being intermixed with Judah, it is likely, now came along with them. We have also more right in David than you.] As David was a private person, Judah had more interest in him than the rest, because he was of their tribe: but, as he was a king, the Israelites had more, being the far greater part of his subjects. Why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?] They looked upon it, therefore, as a great neglect, if not contempt, of them, that they had not the precedence in this business. And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men oflsraeL] More vehement: or, they were too hard for them in their argument. David did not think fit to interpose; which made the men of Israel think he favoured Judah, and thence arose a new rebellion..