2 Sam. 19. Joab by hard words moveth the king to cease his mourning, and show himself to the people, 2 Sam. 19:1–8. The king is brought back by the men of Judah, and Amasa put in Joab’s place, 2 Sam. 18:9–15. Shimei sueth for mercy, and obtaineth it, 2 Sam. 19:16–23.

It was told Joab, by his messengers, upon their return.

Not openly, and orderly, and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, and disorderly, and asunder, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had a hand in the killing of his dearly beloved son.

The king covered his face, as a deep mourner, as one that desired neither to see, nor to be seen by any others.

Joab came into the house; either the gate-house, or his now dwelling-house in the city, to which he was retired, that he might more freely indulge himself in the expressions of his grief.

This is not to be understood as exactly true in the rigour of it, but only comparatively and hyperbolically spoken; for David desired their preservation and Absalom’s too: but it must be considered that Joab was now in a high transport of passion, which might easily hurry him into indecent…

I swear by the Lord: this oath was either assertory of what he believed might in reason be expected, as likely in great measure to come to pass; or else promissory; or rather, minatory of what he by his influence could and would effect; and if so, it was much more than became him to say to his…

The king arose, and sat in the gate; He was come forth out of his retirement, and appeared in public on the seat of judgment, at the gate of the city, to receive the addresses of his people, and mind the affairs of the kingdom.

All the people were at strife; quarrelling one with another, as the authors or abettors of this shameful and cursed rebellion, discoursing privately and publicly of David’s high merits, which God, being now reconciled to David, brings afresh to their memories, and reneweth the sense of their…

Whom we anointed, i.e. caused to be anointed by Zadok or Abiathar, or some other of the priests, whom they persuaded or constrained to do this office: for this being a sacred ceremony, of a great reputation, and a likely means to gain the more authority and veneration from the people to Absalom, as…

Speak unto the elders of Judah; who being the first and chief abettors of Absalom’s rebellion, despaired of ever obtaining the king’s grace and pardon, and therefore were backward to promote the king’s restoration. To his house; to his royal palace at Jerusalem. To the king, even to his house, i.e.

My bones and my flesh; of the same tribe, and some of you of the same family, with myself; and therefore if I should revenge myself of you, which perhaps you may fear I will do when I have fully regained my power, I should but tear my own flesh in pieces, and hate my own body which nature and…

Amasa, Absalom’s late general; who judging his case, above all others, desperate, might be ready to use all his interest with that tribe to delay or hinder the king’s return. Of my bone, and of my flesh, i.e. my near kinsman, my nephew. See 1 Chron. 2:16–17. Before me, i.e.

He; either, first, Amasa, by his great influence upon them. Or rather, secondly, David, by his prudent and kind message, and his free offer of pardon and favour to them, as if they had never offended.

To attend upon the king in his passage over Jordan, and to furnish him with conveniences for his passage and journey. See below, 2 Sam. 19:41–42.

A thousand men of Benjamin with him; whom he brought, partly to show his power and interest in the people, whereby he was able to do David either great service or great disservice; and partly as intercessors on his behalf, and as witnesses of David’s clemency or severity, that in him they might see…

A ferry boat, made by the men of Judah for the king’s proper use; besides which there were doubtless many boats ready for the use of others. As he was come over Jordan, or rather, as he was passing, or about to pass, over Jordan; but this was beyond Jordan; for as he went over Jordan to the king, 2…

i.e. Be affected with it, or excited to revenge it.

Thy servant doth know that I have sinned; I do not excuse my sin, but with grief and shame confess it; in which case the Lord thy God is ready to pardon offenders, and so I trust wilt thou be.

i.e. The king. By this expression he minds David of his former zeal against those who offered any injury to Saul, because he was the Lord’s anointed, 1 Sam. 24:6, 1 Sam. 26:9; and therefore demands the same justice against Shimei for his cursing of the king, which was so expressly forbidden, Ex.

What have I to do with you? I do not ask, neither will I take, your advice in this matter. Ye sons of Zeruiah; implying that Joab’s hand was in this contrivance, or that he suspected it. That ye should this day be adversaries unto me, i.e.

Thou shalt not die, to wit, this day, as Abishai desireth; nor whilst I live, nor by my hands, as it is repeated and explained, 1 Kings 2:8; nor for this cause alone.

The son of Saul, i.e. the grandson, 2 Sam. 9:3, 2 Sam. 9:6. Had neither dressed his feet; by cutting his nails, and by washing his feet, which was usual in those hot climates, and very refreshing; and therefore now neglected, as becoming a mourner.

When he was come to Jerusalem; so it is supposed, that Mephibosheth, though he went to meet the king, wanted either courage or fit opportunity to speak to the king till he came to Jerusalem, because of the great multitudes that addressed themselves to the king by the way.

My servant deceived me, by carrying away the ass which I bid him saddle for me.

As an angel of God, to distinguish between true reports and calumnies: See Poole on “2 Sam. 14:20”.

Before my lord the king, i.e. before thy tribunal: we were all at thy mercy; not my estate only, (which thou hast now granted to Ziba,) 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.

Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? For as Ziba was present, so doubtless he was not silent, but said and did what he could to make good his former charge; which must needs occasion many words before the king.

I am contented to lose all, being fully satisfied with the happiness of seeing my dear and dread sovereign restored to his crown, and truth and peace returned to his kingdom.

And then to cross Jordan again, and so return to his native land.

Seeing my time of continuance in this world is but short, it is not advisable to change my habitation, or to give thee or myself any further trouble.

My senses are grown dull, and uncapable of relishing the delights of the court. I am past taking pleasure in delicious tastes, or sweet music, and other such delights of the court. I am through age both useless and burdensome to others, and therefore most improper for a court life.

A little way over Jordan; a little onward in thy way to Jerusalem, and then return. Recompense it me, or, recompense me, to wit, for my small kindness to thee at Mahanaim, which was but a part of my duty to thee.

Chimham, Barzillai’s son, 1 Kings 2:7

Conducted the king; attended upon him on his journey towards Jerusalem. And also half the people of Israel; whereas the men of Judah came entirely and unanimously to the king, as is noted here, and above, 2 Sam.

All the men of Israel, to wit, such as were present. Stolen thee away, i.e. conveyed thee over Jordan hastily and privily, not expecting nor desiring our consent and concurrence in the business, which we were no less ready to afford than they.

Near of kin to us; of the same tribe with us, and therefore both oweth the more respect to us, and might expect and challenge 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 to the king, and used all…

We have ten parts; they say but ten, though strictly there were eleven; either because they accounted Joseph (which comprehends both Ephraim and Manasseh under it) for one tribe, as it is sometimes reckoned; or because Simeon, whose lot lay within the tribe of Judah, were joined with them in this…