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Joab prevails on David to refrain, ver. 1 - 8.
He is brought back to his kingdom by the men of Judah, ver. 9 - 15.
Pardons Shimei, ver. 16 - 23.
Restores to Mephibosheth his estate, ver. 24 - 30.
Barzillai is dismissed, and his son taken into David's
service, ver. 31 - 40.
The Israelites expostulate with the men of Judah, ver. 41 - 43.
3: By stealth - Not openly and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do;
but secretly, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see
them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had an hand in
killing of his beloved son.
5: Hast shamed - By disappointing their just hopes of praises and
rewards, and by requiting them with contempt and tacit rebukes.
6: Pleased thee - This is not be understood as exactly true; but
David's carriage gave too much colour to such a suggestion; and such
sharpness of speech was in a manner necessary to awaken the king out of
his lethargy, and to preserve him from the impendent mischiefs.
9: At strife - Quarrelling one with another as the authors or
abettors of this shameful rebellion, and discoursing privately and
publickly of David's high merits, which God, being now reconciled to
David, brings afresh to their memories.
10: Now therefore - The people of Israel speak thus to the elders
of Israel, as appears by comparing this verse with the next. Seeing
their designs for Absalom disappointed, they now repented of that
undertaking, and were willing to testify so much by their forwardness to
bring back David, and re - establish him.
11: Judah - Who being the abettors of Absalom's rebellion,
despaired of pardon, and therefore were backward to promote the king's
restoration. His house - Even to Mahanaim, where now the king's house
and family is.
13: Of Joab - Who, besides his other crimes, had lately exasperated
the king by his murder of Absalom, contrary to David's express
command. And therefore the king having now the opportunity of another
person who had a greater interest than Joab, gladly complies with it,
that so he might both chastise Joab for his faults, and rescue himself
from the bondage in which Joab had hitherto held him.
14: He bowed - David by this prudent and kind message and his
free offer of pardon.
17: With him - Whom he brought, partly to shew his interest in the
people, and partly, as intercessors on his behalf, and as witnesses of
David's clemency or severity, that in him they might see what the rest
of them might expect. Ziba - Who, being conscious of his former abuse of
David, and of his master Mephibosheth, which he knew the king would
understand, designed to sweeten David's spirit towards him, by
forwardness in meeting him.
20: House of Joseph - The house of Joseph is here put for all
the tribes, except Judah, which are fitly distinguished from Judah,
because the rights of the first - born were divided between Judah and
Joseph, (1Ch 5:2).
And though Benjamin, after the division of the kingdoms was fitly joined
with Judah, because then they adhered to that tribe; yet before that
time it was joined with Joseph, because they marched under the standard
of the house of Joseph, or of Ephraim, (Nu 10:22-24).
Whence it is, that Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, are put together,(Ps 80:2).
22: Adversaries - That is, that you put me upon things unfit for me
to do, and contrary to my interest; for it was David's interest at this
time to appease the people, and reconcile them to him, and not to give them
any new distaste by acts of severity: for this would make others jealous,
that he would watch an opportunity to be revenged on them. King - Is not
my kingdom, which was in a manner wholly lost, just now restored and assured
to me? And when God hath been so merciful to me in forgiving my sin, shall
I shew myself revengeful to Shemei? Shall I sully the publick joy and
glory of this day, with an act of such severity? Or, shall I alienate the
hearts of my people from me, now they are returning to me?
24: The son - That is, the grandson, (2Sa 6:3,6).
His feet - By washing his feet, which was usual in those hot climates,
and very refreshing; and therefore now neglected, as becoming a mourner.
Beard - But suffered it to grow very long, and disorderly, as was usual
with persons in a forlorn, or mournful state. Clothes - His linen
cloathes. This and the former were signs, that he was a true and obstinate
mourner, and evidences of the falsehood of Ziba's relation concerning
him, (2Sa 16:3).
25: Jerusalem - Probably he had continued near Jerusalem, because
he could not go to meet him, as others did.
26: Deceived me - By carrying away the ass which I bid him saddle
for me.
27: Angel - To distinguish between true reports and calumnies;
See note on "2Sa 14:20".
28: Before - 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 predecessor's and
enemies children. To cry - For the vindication of mine honour, and the
restitution of my estate.
29: Divide - The land shall be divided between thee and him, as it
was by my first order, (2Sa 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.
35: I am, &c. - My senses are grown dull, and incapable of relishing
the pleasures of a court. I am past taking pleasures in delicious tastes,
or sweet musick, and other such delights. I am through age both useless and
burdensome to others, and therefore most improper for a court life.
37: 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 me go and get ready for it, go and die in my nest.
40: Half - Whereas the men of Judah came entirely and unanimously
to the king, the Israelites of the other tribe came in but slowly, and
by halves, as being no less guilty of the rebellion, than the tribe of
Judah; but not encouraged to come in by such a gracious message as they
were. And this is here mentioned as the occasion both of the contention
here following, and of the sedition, (2Sa 20:1-22).
41: All - Such as were present. Stolen - That is, conveyed thee
over Jordan hastily, not expecting our concurrence. David's men - All
thy officers, guards, and soldiers. This is mentioned as an aggravation of
their fault, that they did not only carry the king over Jordan, but all
his men too, without asking their advice.
42: Of kin - Of the same tribe with us, and therefore both oweth the
more respect to us, and might expect more respect from us. Gifts - We
have neither sought nor gained any advantage to ourselves hereby, but only
discharged our duty to the king, and used all expedition in bringing him
back, which you also should have done, and not have come in by halves, and
so coldly as you have done.
43: Ten - 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, or because Simeon, whose lot
lay within the tribe of Judah, were joined with them in this action.
More right - As in the general we have more right in the king and kingdom;
so particularly, we have more right in David than you, because you were
the first beginners, and the most zealous promoters of this rebellion;
howsoever, as he is king, we justly claim a greater interest in him, than
you; inasmuch as we are the far greatest part of his subjects.
Fiercer - Instead of mollifying them with gentle words, they answered them
with greater fierceness so that David durst not interpose in the matter.
