We left David’s army in triumph and yet David himself in tears: now here we have, I. His return to himself, by the persuasion of Joab, 2 Sam. 19:1–8. II. His return to his kingdom from his present banishment. 1. The men of Israel were forward of themselves to bring him back, 2 Sam. 19:9–10. 2.

Soon after the messengers had brought the news of the defeat and death of Absalom to the court of Mahanaim, Joab and his victorious army followed, to grace the king’s triumphs and receive his further orders. Now here we are told, I.

It is strange that David did not immediately upon the defeat and dispersion of Absalom’s forces march with all expedition back to Jerusalem, to regain the possession of his capital city, while the rebels were in confusion and before they could rally again.

Perhaps Jordan was never passed with so much solemnity, nor with so many remarkable occurrences, as it was now, since Israel passed it under Joshua. David, in his afflictive flight, remembered God particularly from the land of Jordan , and now that land, more than any other, was graced with the…

The day of David’s return was a day of bringing to remembrance, a day of account, in which what had passed in his flight was called over again; among other things, after the case of Shimei, that of Mephibosheth comes to be enquired into, and he himself brings it on. I.

David had already graced the triumphs of his restoration with the generous remission of the injuries that had been done to him; we have him here gracing them with a no less generous reward of the kindnesses that had been shown to him.

David came over Jordan attended and assisted only by the men of Judah; but when he had advanced as far as Gilgal, the first stage on this side Jordan, half the people of Israel (that is, of their elders and great men) had come to wait upon him, to kiss his hand, and congratulate him on his return,…