2 Samuel 19:5

Joab came into the house to the king The crisis illustrates the good as well as the bad features of Joab's character his loyalty to David, and his practical sagacity, as well as his hard unsympathetic nature. Exaggerated and unfeeling as his speech was, it roused David from the extravagance of his grief to a sense of his duty, and saved him from flinging away the fruits of the victory.

Thou hast shamed, &c. Disappointed their hopes of rejoicing for the victory: treated them like offenders instead of benefactors.

have saved thy life, &c. For had Absalom been victorious, he would doubtless have put to death all rival claimants to the throne, and possibly other members of the king's household. Cp. Judges 9:5; 1 Kings 15:29; 1Ki 16:11; 2 Kings 10:6; 2 Kings 11:1.