2 Samuel 19:7

_NOW THEREFORE ARISE, GO FORTH, AND SPEAK COMFORTABLY UNTO THY SERVANTS: FOR I SWEAR BY THE LORD, IF THOU GO NOT FORTH, THERE WILL NOT TARRY ONE WITH THEE THIS NIGHT: AND THAT WILL BE WORSE UNTO THEE THAN ALL THE EVIL THAT BEFELL THEE FROM THY YOUTH UNTIL NOW._ Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants. The king felt the truth of Joab's reprimand: but the threat by which it was enforced, grounded as it was on the general's unbounded popularity with the army, showed him to be a dangerous person; and that circumstance, together with the violation of an express order to deal gently for his sake with Absalom, produced in David's mind a settled hatred, which was strongly manifested in his last directions to Solomon....

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....

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-

NOW THEREFORE ARISE, GO FORTH,.... Arise from his couch, he was watering with his tears, and go forth from his house, where he had shut himself up retired from all company, to the gate of the city, where the people passed and repassed, and there was a concourse of them: this he said not by way of command, but by way of advice; though all along he seems to take too much upon him, and to speak unbecoming a subject, and not with that decency as was necessary in, speaking to a king; but it may be observed, that a general of an army had great power over princes in those times; and presumed very much on their interest in the army, which led them sometimes not to behave with that decorum as became them: AND SPEAK COMFORTABLY UNTO THY SERVANTS; commend them for their courage and faithfulness, thank them for their services, and reward them suitably; at least give them assurance of it: FOR I SWE...

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

NOW. Note the Figure of speech _Epanadiplosis_ (App-6), to emphasise the completeness of Joab's reasoning. COMFORTABLY. Hebrew. _al-leb,_ to the heart. Compare Isaiah 40:2. THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah_. App-4....

_speak comfortably_ Speak to them in a friendly way, encourage them, and appease their discontent. _I swear_, &c. This is not a threat that he will persuade the army to desert David; but an asseveration in the strongest possible terms that they will not continue faithful to a king who allows a private grief to outweigh his gratitude for their services....

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,

DAVID'S RETURN TO JERUSALEM David's excessive grief for Absalom is rebuked by Joab. He punishes Joab for Absalom's death by making Amasa commander of the army. The details of his return to Jerusalem are given, with the strife it caused between the men of Israel and the men of Judah. David has often been accused of ingratitude on account of his treatment of Joab. It has been urged that he would never have been secure with Absalom at liberty, and Joab knew how uncertain was his master's mind. On the other hand, it was a serious matter to murder the heir to the throne, for which deposition was probably a lenient punishment....