_A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ Joab prevails on David to refrain, 2 Samuel 19:1. He is brought back to his kingdom by the men of Judah, 2 Samuel 19:9. Pardons Shimei, 2 Samuel 19:16. Restores to Mephibosheth his estate, 2 Samuel 19:24. Barzillai is dismissed, and his son taken into David's service, 2 Samu... [ Continue Reading ]
_The victory was turned into mourning to all the people_ They had so great a regard to their prince, that, when they heard of his distress, they were afflicted with him; and instead of triumphing, they also made lamentations.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people gat them by stealth into the city_ Not openly and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, as if they thought themselves a kind of criminals, who had contravened the king's command, and were, on that score, in disgrace with him, and, therefore, were afraid and ashamed lest he... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king covered his face_ As a deep mourner, and as one that neither desired to see nor to be seen by any others.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joab said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants_ By disappointing their just hopes of praises and rewards, and requiting them with contempt and tacit rebukes; and thus making them hang down their heads, as if they had committed such a crime, that they were ashamed to look men in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now, therefore, arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants_ Show thyself to thy people, acknowledge their good services, and congratulate their success. _For I swear by the Lord_ He confirms his threat with the most solemn oath. _If thou go not forth_, &c. If thou do not instantly qui... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people were at strife throughout all the tribes_ Either, 1st, Striving who should be most forward to bring back the king, and blaming one another's slackness in the business: or, 2d, Censuring and quarrelling one with another, as the authors and abetters of this shameful rebellion, and disc... [ Continue Reading ]
_Speak unto the elders of Judah_ Absalom had begun his conspiracy in Jerusalem itself, and perfected it in Hebron, both cities of Judah; and the people of that tribe had been the first to join him in his rebellion, and to aid and abet his designs; conscious of this, and that, as David was of their t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Say to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone_, &c. That is, nearly related to me, being my sister's son. _God do so to me, and more also_, &c. He solemnly promises to prefer him to the highest command in the kingdom; for he now thought it a fit time to depress Joab, who was grown insufferably insolent and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah_ This prudent and friendly message and free offer of pardon to them, and this kind treatment of the captain of the hostile host, and all his rebel adherents, had all the effect David could hope for; it touched their hearts, and melted them into loyalty and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shimei hasted and came down to meet King David_ As Shimei had so insulted and abused David, he very justly concluded that he could have no hopes of pardon, but in consequence of his being one of the first to go and bring back the king. _There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him_ Whom he brough... [ Continue Reading ]
_There went over a ferry-boat_ Prepared, it is likely, by the men of Judah. Josephus says, it was a bridge, composed, perhaps, of many boats joined together. _Shimei fell down before the king_ That he might confess his guilt and perverseness, and implore forgiveness. _Neither do thou remember that w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abishai said, Shall not Shimei be put to death?_ Abishai had before highly resented Shimei's vile treatment of David, and thought this a fit season for taking revenge. _What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?_ It seems Joab joined with his brother, and together they thought to govern all th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mephibosheth the son of Saul_ That is, the grandson, 2 Samuel 4:4. _Had neither dressed his feet_ Neither washed them, which in those hot climates was usual and very refreshing; nor cut the nails of his toes, but let them grow, as he did his beard, which he had not trimmed nor taken any care of, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king_ He had probably continued near Jerusalem during the king's absence, and it seems could not go to a distance from it to meet him, as others did, for want of conveniences for his journey: for Ziba had gotten possession of all his lands and goods, and it... [ Continue Reading ]
_All my father's house were but dead men before my lord_ Before thy tribunal: we were all at thy mercy; not my estate only, but my life also was in thy power, if thou hadst dealt with rigour, and as earthly kings use to do with their predecessors' and enemies' children. _What right have I yet to cry... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou and Ziba divide the land_ The land shall be divided between thee and him, according to my first order, chap. 2 Samuel 9:10; he and his sons managing it, and supporting themselves out of it, as they did before, and giving the rest of the profits thereof to thee. It is easy to perceive, from thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mephibosheth said, Yea, let him take all_ Nothing could be more generously spoken, or signify greater affection, than that he was content to be without an estate, now the king was restored to his kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Barzillai came down from Rogelim_ Rogelim was a place in mount Gilead, and Barzillai came down from thence to do the king honour and see him safe over Jordan. _He had provided the king sustenance _ Barzillai had a very generous heart, which moved him to supply the wants of David and all his family... [ Continue Reading ]
_Barzillai said, How long have I to live_, &c. In a spirit of true wisdom, and becoming moderation, he declined accepting the king's generous offer. The pleasures of a court had no charms for him in that advanced age, being then fourscore years old; his senses and appetites were long since palled, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Why should the king recompense it 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. _That I may die in mine own city_ That my bones may, with little ado, be carried to the place of their rest. The grave is ready for me; let... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the people of Judah_ That is, the elders and great men of Judah. _Also half the people of Israel_ Whereas the men of Judah came entirely and unanimously to the king, the Israelites, of the other tribes, came in but slowly, and by halves, as being no less guilty of rebellion than the tribe of Ju... [ Continue Reading ]
_All the men of Israel_ That is, those that were present. It appears that David, to gratify his own tribe, had marched on, not expecting the coming of all the great men of Israel, who were making themselves ready to wait upon him. And therefore, when they were come together, and found that the tribe... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king is near of kin to us_ Of the same tribe with us, and therefore both oweth the more respect to us, and might expect more respect from us. _Hath he given us any gift?_ We have neither sought nor gained any advantage to ourselves hereby, but only discharged our duty and testified our love to... [ Continue Reading ]
_We have ten parts in the king_ Or kingdom rather, and consequently there was the greater reason why we should be consulted upon a point of so much importance. They say but _ten_, though strictly there were eleven; either because they counted Joseph, which comprehended both Ephraim and Manasseh unde... [ Continue Reading ]