2 Samuel 19:4

_BUT THE KING COVERED HIS FACE, AND THE KING CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, O MY SON ABSALOM, O ABSALOM, MY SON, MY SON!_ The king covered his face - one of the usual signs of mourning (see the notes at 2 Samuel 15:30)....

1-8 To continue to lament for so bad a son as Absalom, was very unwise, and very unworthy. Joab censures David, but not with proper respect and deference to his sovereign. A plain case may be fairly pleaded with those above us, and they may be reproved for what they do amiss, but it must not be with rudeness and insolence. Yet David took the reproof and the counsel, prudently and mildly. Timely giving way, usually prevents the ill effects of mistaken measures....

Verse 2 Samuel 19:4. _THE KING COVERED HIS FACE_] This was the custom of mourners. _O MY SON ABSALOM_] Calmet has properly remarked that the frequent repetition of the name of the defunct, is common in the language of lamentation. Thus VIRGIL, act. v., ver. 51: - _____ Daphnin _que team tollemus ad astra;_ Daphnin _ad astra feremus: amavit nos quoque_ Daphnis. "With yours, my song I cheerfully shall join, To raise your _Daphnis_ to the powers Divine. _Daphnis_ I'll raise unto the powers above, For dear to me was _Daphnis'_ well tried love....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 19:2 THE VICTORY (Hebrew, _the salvation_) THAT DAY WAS turned INTO MOURNING. Naturally, the people did not understand the poignant emotions caused by the activity of David's conscience, and were pained at this seeming ingratitude to them for their brave exertions in his behalf, and at what they must have regarded as indifference to the welfare of the nation. Nor would it be easy for us to understand his conduct during the flight from Jerusalem, and in bearing Shimei's imprecations so tamely, did we not find in the psalms written at this time that David was suffering extreme and even excessive self-reproach and mental anguish at his past sin. It was a relief to bear Shimei's rudeness, for God might remember it for good. Racked thus with self-

BUT THE KING COVERED HIS FACE,.... And would not see his generals, and thank them for their services: but wrapped himself in his mantle, after the manner of mourners: AND THE KING CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, O MY SON ABSALOM! O ABSALOM, MY SON, MY SON! and this was some time, perhaps some days after he had received the news of his death, since Joab and the army were returned from the battle; had it been a sudden start of passion, upon first hearing thee news, and had continued a few hours, it would have been more excusable; but to continue some days, as it is very probable it did, was very unbecoming....

9. THE RETURN OF THE KING CHAPTER 19 _ 1. The continued grief of the king (2 Samuel 19:1)_ 2. The return of the king (2 Samuel 19:9) 3. Mercy shown to Shimei (2 Samuel 19:17) 4. Mephibosheth's joy (2 Samuel 19:24) 5. Barzillai and Chimham (2 Samuel 19:31) 6. Strife between Judah and Israel (2 Samuel 19:41) What grief must have been David's that “the victory of that day was turne

Joab induces the king to present himself to the people. 1 SAMUEL 19:9. THE RETURN OF DAVID (J). 2 SAMUEL 19:9. The two parts of 2 Samuel 19:11 must be transposed with the LXX, giving the following: Absalom's death left Western Palestine in a state of anarchy; the obvious remedy was the restoration of David, so that men said, Why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? And the king learned what was being said throughout Israel; and king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back? They were to promise Amasa that he should supplant Joab as commander-in-chief. The men of Judah invite the king

COVERED HIS FACE. Symbol of mourning. Occurs only here. MY SON... MY SON. Figure of speech _Epizeuxis.App-6._ Compare 2 Samuel 18:33....

_covered his face_ See note on ch. 2 Samuel 15:30....

4. David Restored to Power, 2 Samuel 19:1-43. _The King's Grief Assuaged._ 2 Samuel 19:1-8 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 2 And the victory that day was _turned_ into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. 3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives,