How do the clouds return after the rain! No sooner is one of David’s troubles over than another arises, as it were out of the ashes of the former, wherein the threatening is fulfilled, that the sword should never depart from his house. I.

David, in the midst of his triumphs, has here the affliction to see his kingdom disturbed and his family disgraced. I. His subjects revolting from him at the instigation of a man of Belial, whom they followed when they forsook the man after God’s own heart. Observe, 1.

We have here Amasa’s fall just as he began to rise. He was nephew to David , had been Absalom’s general and commander-in-chief of his rebellious army, but, that being routed, he came over into David’s interest, upon a promise that he should be general of his forces instead of Joab.

We have here the conclusion of Sheba’s attempt. I. The rebel, when he had rambled over all the tribes of Israel, and found them not so willing, upon second thoughts, to follow him, as they had been upon a sudden provocation to desert David (having only picked up a few like himself, that sided with…

Here is an account of the state of David’s court after his restoration. Joab retained the office of general, being too great to be displaced. Benaiah, as before, was captain of the guards.