mh_parser/vol_split/10 - 2Samuel/Chapter 19.xml

<div2 id="iiSam.xx" n="xx" next="iiSam.xxi" prev="iiSam.xix" progress="47.73%" title="Chapter XIX">
<h2 id="iiSam.xx-p0.1">S E C O N D   S A M U E L</h2>
<h3 id="iiSam.xx-p0.2">CHAP. XIX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiSam.xx-p1">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, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.1-2Sam.19.8" parsed="|2Sam|19|1|19|8" passage="2Sa 19:1-8">ver.
1-8</scripRef>. II. His return to his kingdom from his present
banishment. 1. The men of Israel were forward of themselves to
bring him back, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.9-2Sam.19.10" parsed="|2Sam|19|9|19|10" passage="2Sa 19:9,10">ver. 9,
10</scripRef>. 2. The men of Judah were dealt with by David's
agents to do it (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.11-2Sam.19.14" parsed="|2Sam|19|11|19|14" passage="2Sa 19:11-14">ver.
11-14</scripRef>) and did it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.15" parsed="|2Sam|19|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:15">ver.
15</scripRef>. III. At the king's coming over Jordan, Shimei's
treason is pardoned (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.16-2Sam.19.23" parsed="|2Sam|19|16|19|23" passage="2Sa 19:16-23">ver.
16-23</scripRef>), Mephibosheth's failure is excused (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.24-2Sam.19.30" parsed="|2Sam|19|24|19|30" passage="2Sa 19:24-30">ver. 24-30</scripRef>), and Barzillai's
kindness is thankfully owned, and recompensed to his son, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.31-2Sam.19.39" parsed="|2Sam|19|31|19|39" passage="2Sa 19:31-39">ver. 31-39</scripRef>. IV. The men of Israel
quarrelled with the men of Judah, for not calling them to the
ceremony of the king's restoration, which occasioned a new
rebellion, an account of which we have in the next chapter,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.40-2Sam.19.43" parsed="|2Sam|19|40|19|43" passage="2Sa 19:40-43">ver. 40-43</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19" parsed="|2Sam|19|0|0|0" passage="2Sa 19" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.1-2Sam.19.8" parsed="|2Sam|19|1|19|8" passage="2Sa 19:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.1-2Sam.19.8">
<h4 id="iiSam.xx-p1.11">Joab's Reproof of David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p2">1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth
and mourneth for Absalom.   2 And the victory that day was
<i>turned</i> into mourning unto all the people: for the people
heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.   3
And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as
people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.   4
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud
voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!   5 And
Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed
this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved
thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the
lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;   6 In
that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou
hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor
servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and
all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.   7
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy
servants: for I swear by the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p2.1">Lord</span>,
if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this
night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that
befel thee from thy youth until now.   8 Then the king arose,
and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying,
Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came
before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p3">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,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p4">I. What a damp and disappointment it was to
them to find the king in tears for Absalom's death, which they
construed as a token of displeasure against them for what they had
done, whereas they expected him to have met them with joy and
thanks for their good services: <i>It was told Joab,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.1" parsed="|2Sam|19|1|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. The report of it ran
through the army (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.2" parsed="|2Sam|19|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>), <i>how the king was grieved for his son.</i> The
people will take particular notice what their princes say and do.
The more eyes we have upon us, and the greater our influence is,
the more need we have to speak and act wisely and to govern our
passions strictly. When they came to the city they found the king
in close mourning, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.4" parsed="|2Sam|19|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. He covered his face, and would not so much as look
up, nor take any notice of the generals when they attended him. It
could not but surprise them to find, 1. How the king proclaimed his
passion, of which he ought to have been ashamed, and which he would
have striven to smother and conceal if he had consulted either his
reputation for courage, which was lessened by his mean submission
to the tyranny of so absurd a passion, or his interest in the
people, which would be prejudiced by his discountenancing what was
done in zeal for his honour and the public safety. Yet see how he
avows his grief: <i>He cries with a loud voice, O my son
Absalom!</i> "My servants have all come home safe, but where is my
son? He is dead; and, dying in sin, I fear he is lost for ever. I
cannot now say, <i>I shall go to him,</i> for my soul shall not be
gathered with such sinners; what shall be done for thee, <i>O
Absalom! my son, my son!</i>" 2. How he prolonged his passion, even
till the army had come up to him, which must be some time after he
received the first intelligence. If he had contented himself with
giving vent to his passion for an hour or two when he first heard
the news, it would have been excusable, but to continue it thus for
so bad a son as Absalom, like Jacob for so good a son as Joseph,
with a resolution to go to the grave mourning and to stain his
triumphs with his tears, was very unwise and very unworthy. Now see
how ill this was taken by the people. They were loth to blame the
king, for <i>whatever he did used to please them</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.3.36" parsed="|2Sam|3|36|0|0" passage="2Sa 3:36"><i>ch.</i> iii. 36</scripRef>), but they took it
as a great mortification to them. <i>Their victory was turned into
mourning,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.2" parsed="|2Sam|19|2|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
<i>They stole into the city as men ashamed,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.3" parsed="|2Sam|19|3|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. In compliment to their
sovereign, they would not rejoice in that which they perceived so
afflictive to him, and yet they could not but be uneasy that they
were thus obliged to conceal their joy. Superiors ought not to put
such hardships as these on their inferiors.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p5">II. How plainly and vehemently Joab
reproved David for this indiscreet management of himself in this
critical juncture. David never more needed the hearts of his
subjects than now, nor was ever more concerned to secure his
interest in their affections; and therefore whatever tended to
disoblige them now was the most impolitic thing he could do, and
the greatest wrong imaginable to his friends that adhered to him.
Joab therefore censures him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.5-2Sam.19.7" parsed="|2Sam|19|5|19|7" passage="2Sa 19:5-7"><i>v.</i> 5-7</scripRef>. He speaks a great deal of
reason, but not with the respect and deference which he owed to his
prince. <i>Is is fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked?</i> A plain
case may be fairly pleaded with those that are above us, and they
may be reproved for what they do amiss, but it must not be done
with rudeness and insolence. David did indeed need to be roused and
alarmed; and Joab thought it no time to dally with him. If
superiors do that which is foolish, they must neither think it
strange nor take it ill if their inferiors tell them of it, perhaps
too bluntly. 1. Joab magnifies the services of David's soldiers:
"<i>This day they have saved thy life,</i> and therefore deserve to
be taken notice of, and have reason to resent it if they be not."
It is implied that Absalom, whom he honoured with his tears, sought
his ruin and the ruin of his family, while those whom by his tears
he puts a slight upon were such as preserved from ruin him and all
that was dear to him. Great mischiefs have arisen to princes from
the contempt of great merits. 2. He aggravates the discouragement
David had given them: "<i>Thou hast shamed their faces;</i> for,
while they have shown such a value for thy life, thou hast shown no
value for theirs, but preferrest a spoiled wicked youth, a false
traitor to his king and country, whom we are happily rid of, before
all thy wise counsellors, brave commanders, and loyal subjects.
What can be more absurd than to love thy enemies and hate thy
friends?" 3. He advises him to present himself immediately at the
head of his troops, to smile upon them, welcome them home,
congratulate their success, and return them thanks for their
services. Even those that may be commanded yet expect to be thanked
when they do well, and ought to be. 4. He threatens him with
another rebellion if he would not do this, intimating that rather
than serve so ungrateful a prince he himself would head a revolt
from him, and then (so confident is Joab of his own interest in the
people) "<i>there will not tarry with thee one man.</i> If I go,
they will go. Thou hast now nothing to mourn for: but, if thou
persist, I will give thee something to mourn for (as Josephus
expresses it) with a true and more bitter mourning."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p6">III. How prudently and mildly David took
the reproof and counsel given him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.8" parsed="|2Sam|19|8|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. He shook off his grief, anointed
his head, and washed his face, that he might not appear unto men to
mourn, and then made his appearance in public in the gate, which
was as the guild-hall of the city. Hither the people flocked to him
to congratulate his and their safety, and all was well. Note, When
we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of
it by our inferiors, and indecently, or in heat and passion.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.9-2Sam.19.15" parsed="|2Sam|19|9|19|15" passage="2Sa 19:9-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.9-2Sam.19.15">
<h4 id="iiSam.xx-p6.3">David's Return to the
Jordan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p6.4">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p7">9 And all the people were at strife throughout
all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand
of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the
Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.  
10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now
therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?  
11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests,
saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last
to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all
Israel is come to the king, <i>even</i> to his house.   12 Ye
<i>are</i> my brethren, ye <i>are</i> my bones and my flesh:
wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?   13
And say ye to Amasa, <i>Art</i> thou not of my bone, and of my
flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of
the host before me continually in the room of Joab.   14 And
he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as <i>the heart
of</i> one man; so that they sent <i>this word</i> unto the king,
Return thou, and all thy servants.   15 So the king returned,
and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the
king, to conduct the king over Jordan.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p8">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. What occasion was there to bring
him back? Could not he himself go back with the victorious army he
had with him in Gilead? He could, no doubt; but, 1. He would go
back as a prince, with the consent and unanimous approbation of the
people, and not as a conqueror forcing his way: he would restore
their liberties, and not take occasion to seize them, or encroach
upon them. 2. He would go back in peace and safety, and be sure
that he should meet with no difficulty or opposition in his return,
and therefore would be satisfied that the people were well-affected
to have him before he would stir. 3. He would go back in honour,
and like himself, and therefore would go back, not at the head of
his forces, but in the arms of his subjects; for the prince that
has wisdom and goodness enough to make himself his people's
darling, without doubt, looks greater and makes a much better
figure than the prince that has strength enough to make himself his
people's terror. It is resolved therefore that David must be
brought back to Jerusalem his own city, and his own house there,
with some ceremony, and here we have that matter concerted.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p9">I. The men of Israel (that is, the ten
tribes) were the first that talked of it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.9-2Sam.19.10" parsed="|2Sam|19|9|19|10" passage="2Sa 19:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. The people were at strife
about it; it was the great subject of discourse and dispute
throughout all the country. Some perhaps opposed it: "Let him
either come back himself or stay where he is;" others appeared
zealous for it, and reasoned as follows here, to further the
design, 1. That David had formerly helped them, had fought their
battles, subdued their enemies, and done them much service, and
therefore it was a shame that he should continue banished from
their country who had been so great a benefactor to it. Note, Good
services done to the public, though they may be forgotten for a
while, yet will be remembered again when men come to their right
minds. 2. That Absalom had now disappointed them. "We were
foolishly sick of the cedar, and chose the branch to reign over us;
but we have had enough of him: he is consumed, and we narrowly
escaped being consumed with him. Let us therefore return to our
allegiance, and think of bringing the king back." Perhaps this was
all the strife among them, not a dispute whether the king should be
brought back or no (all agreed it was to be done), but whose fault
is was that it was not done. As is usual in such cases, every one
justified himself and blamed his neighbour. The people laid the
fault on the elders, and the elders on the people, and one tribe
upon another. Mutual excitements to the doing of a good work are
laudable, but not mutual accusations for the not doing of it; for
usually when public services are neglected all sides must share in
the blame; every one might do more than he does, in the reformation
of manners, the healing of divisions, and the like.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p10">II. The men of Judah, by David's
contrivance, were the first that did it. It is strange that they,
being David's own tribe, were not so forward as the rest. David had
intelligence of the good disposition of all the rest towards him,
but nothing from Judah, though he had always been particularly
careful of them. But we do not always find the most kindness from
those from whom we have most reason to expect it. Yet David would
not return till he knew the sense of his own tribe. <i>Judah was
his lawgiver,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.60.7" parsed="|Ps|60|7|0|0" passage="Ps 60:7">Ps. lx. 7</scripRef>.
That his way home might be the more clear, 1. He employed Zadok and
Abiathar, the two chief priests, to treat with the elders of Judah,
and to excite them to give the king an invitation back to his
house, even to his house, which was the glory of their tribe,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.11-2Sam.19.12" parsed="|2Sam|19|11|19|12" passage="2Sa 19:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>. No
men more proper to negociate this affair than the two priests, who
were firm to David's interest, were prudent men, and had great
influence with the people. Perhaps the men of Judah were remiss and
careless, and did it not, because nobody put them on to do it, and
then it was proper to stir them up to it. Many will follow in a
good work who will not lead: it is a pity that they should continue
idle for want of being spoken to. Or perhaps they were so sensible
of the greatness of the provocation they had given to David, by
joining with Absalom, that they were afraid to bring him back,
despairing of his favour; he therefore warrants his agents to
assure them of it, with this reason: "<i>You are my brethren, my
bone and my flesh,</i> and therefore I cannot be severe with you."
The Son of David has been pleased to call us <i>brethren, his bone
and his flesh,</i> which encourages us to hope that we shall find
favour with him. Or perhaps they were willing to see what the rest
of the tribes would do before they stirred, with which they are
here upbraided: "The speech of all Israel has come to the king to
invite him back, and shall Judah be the last, that should have been
the first? Where is now the celebrated bravery of that royal tribe?
Where is its loyalty?" Note, We should be stirred up to that which
is great and good by the examples both of our ancestors and of our
neighbours, and by the consideration of our rank. Let not the first
in dignity be last in duty. 2. He particularly courted into his
interest Amasa, who had been Absalom's general, but was his own
nephew as well as Joab, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.13" parsed="|2Sam|19|13|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. He owns him for his kinsman, and promises him that,
if he will appear for him now, he will make him captain-general of
all his forces in the room of Joab, will not only pardon him
(which, it may be, Amasa questioned), but prefer him. Sometimes
there is nothing lost in purchasing the friendship of one that has
been an enemy. Amasa's interest might do David good service at this
juncture. But, if David did wisely for himself in designating Amasa
for this post (Joab having now grown intolerably haughty), he did
not do kindly by Amasa in letting his design be known, for it
occasioned his death by Joab's hand, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.10" parsed="|2Sam|20|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:10"><i>ch.</i> xx. 10</scripRef>. 3. The point was hereby
gained. He bowed the heart of the men of Judah to pass a vote,
<i>nemine contradicente—unanimously,</i> for the recall of the
king, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.14" parsed="|2Sam|19|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. God's
providence, by the priests' persuasions and Amasa's interest,
brought them to this resolve. David stirred not till he received
this invitation, and then he came as far back as Jordan, at which
river they were to meet him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.15" parsed="|2Sam|19|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Our Lord Jesus will rule in
those that invite him to the throne in their hearts and not till he
be invited. He first bows the heart and makes it willing in the day
of his power, and then <i>rules in the midst of his enemies,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.110.2-Ps.110.3" parsed="|Ps|110|2|110|3" passage="Ps 110:2,3">Ps. cx. 2, 3</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.16-2Sam.19.23" parsed="|2Sam|19|16|19|23" passage="2Sa 19:16-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.16-2Sam.19.23">
<h4 id="iiSam.xx-p10.9">David Pardons Shimei. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p10.10">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p11">16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite,
which <i>was</i> of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of
Judah to meet king David.   17 And <i>there were</i> a
thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the
house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with
him; and they went over Jordan before the king.   18 And there
went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to
do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down
before the king, as he was come over Jordan;   19 And said
unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do
thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my
lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it
to his heart.   20 For thy servant doth know that I have
sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the
house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.   21 But
Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be
put to death for this, because he cursed the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p11.1">Lord</span>'s anointed?   22 And David said, What
have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day
be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this
day in Israel? for do not I know that I <i>am</i> this day king
over Israel?   23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou
shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p12">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 <i>from the land of Jordan</i>
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.6" parsed="|Ps|42|6|0|0" passage="Ps 42:6">Ps. xlii. 6</scripRef>), and now that
land, more than any other, was graced with the glories of his
return. David's soldiers furnished themselves with accommodations
for their passage over this river, but, for his own family, <i>a
ferry-boat</i> was sent on purpose, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.18" parsed="|2Sam|19|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. <i>A fleet of boats,</i> say
some; <i>a bridge of boats was made,</i> say others; the best
convenience they had to serve him with. Two remarkable persons met
him on the banks of Jordan, both of whom had abused him wretchedly
when he was in his flight.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p13">I. Ziba, who had abused him with his fair
tongue, and by accusing his master, had obtained from the king a
grant of his estate, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.16.4" parsed="|2Sam|16|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 16:4"><i>ch.</i> xvi.
4</scripRef>. A greater abuse he could not have done him, than, by
imposing upon his credulity, to draw him in to do a thing so unkind
to the son of his friend Jonathan. He comes now, with a retinue of
sons and servants, to meet the king (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.17" parsed="|2Sam|19|17|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), that he may obtain the king's
favour, and so come off the better when Mephibosheth shall shortly
undeceive him, and clear himself, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.26" parsed="|2Sam|19|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p14">II. Shimei, who had abused him with his
foul tongue, railed at him, and cursed him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.16.5" parsed="|2Sam|16|5|0|0" passage="2Sa 16:5"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 5</scripRef>. If David had been
defeated, no doubt he would have continued to trample upon him, and
have gloried in what he had done; but now that he sees him coming
home in triumph, and returning to his throne, he thinks it his
interest to make his peace with him. Those who now slight and abuse
the Son of David would be glad to make their peace too when he
shall come in his glory; but it will be too late. Shimei, to
recommend himself to the king, 1. Came with good company, with the
men of Judah, as one in their interest. 2. He brought a regiment of
the men of Benjamin with him, 1000, of which perhaps he was
chiliarch, or commander-in-chief, offering his own and their
service to the king; or perhaps they were volunteers, whom by his
interest he had got together to meet the king, which was the more
obliging because of all the tribes of Israel there were none,
except these and Judah, that appeared to pay him this respect. 3.
What he did he hastened to do; he lost no time. <i>Agree with thy
adversary quickly, while thou art in the way.</i> Here is, (1.) The
criminal's submission (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.18-2Sam.19.20" parsed="|2Sam|19|18|19|20" passage="2Sa 19:18-20"><i>v.</i>
18-20</scripRef>): <i>He fell down before the king,</i> as a
penitent, as a supplicant; and, that he might be thought sincere,
he did it publicly before all David's servants, and his friends the
men of Judah, yea, and before his own thousand. The offence was
public, therefore the submission ought to be so. He owns his crime:
<i>Thy servant doth know that I have sinned.</i> He aggravates it:
<i>I did perversely.</i> He begs the king's pardon: <i>Let not the
king impute iniquity to thy servant,</i> that is, deal with me as I
deserve. He intimates that it was below the king's great and
generous mind to <i>take it to his heart;</i> and pleads his early
return to his allegiance, that he was <i>the first of all the house
of Joseph</i> (that is, of Israel, who in the beginning of David's
reign had distinguished themselves from Judah by their adherence to
Ishbosheth, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.2.10" parsed="|2Sam|2|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 2:10"><i>ch.</i> ii.
10</scripRef>) that came <i>to meet the king.</i> He came first,
that by his example of duty the rest might be induced, and by his
experience of the king's clemency the rest might be encouraged to
follow. (2.) A motion made for judgment against him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.21" parsed="|2Sam|19|21|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>): <i>"Shall not Shimei
be put to death</i> as a traitor? Let him, of all men, be made an
example." This motion was made by Abishai, who would have ventured
his life to have been the death of Shimei when he was cursing,
<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.16.9" parsed="|2Sam|16|9|0|0" passage="2Sa 16:9"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 9</scripRef>. David
did not think fit to have it done then, because his judicial power
was cut short; but, now that it was restored, why should not the
law have its course? Abishai herein consulted what he supposed to
be David's feelings more than his true interest. Princes have need
to arm themselves against temptations to severity. (3.) His
discharge by the king's order, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.22-2Sam.19.23" parsed="|2Sam|19|22|19|23" passage="2Sa 19:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>. He rejected Abishai's
motion with displeasure: <i>What have I to do with you, you sons of
Zeruiah?</i> The less we have to do with those who are of an angry
revengeful spirit, and who put us upon doing what is harsh and
rigorous, the better. He looks upon these prosecutors as
adversaries to him, though they pretended friendship and zeal for
his honour. Those who advise us to what is wrong are really
<i>Satans,</i> adversaries to us. [1.] They were adversaries to his
inclination, which was to clemency. He knew that he was <i>this day
king in Israel,</i> restored to, and re-established in, his
kingdom, and therefore his honour inclined him to forgive. It is
the glory of kings to forgive those that humble and surrender
themselves: <i>Satis est prostrasse leoni—it suffices the lion
that he has laid his victim prostrate.</i> His joy inclined him to
forgive. The pleasantness of his spirit on this great occasion
forbade the entrance of any thing that was sour and peevish: joyful
days should be forgiving days. Yet this was not all; his experience
of God's mercy in restoring him to his kingdom, his exclusion from
which he attributed to his sin, inclined him to show mercy to
Shimei. Those that are forgiven must forgive. David had severely
revenged the abuses done to his ambassadors by the Ammonites
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.31" parsed="|2Sam|12|31|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:31"><i>ch.</i> xii. 31</scripRef>), but
easily passes by the abuse done to himself by an Israelite. That
was an affront to Israel in general, and touched the honour of his
crown and kingdom; this was purely personal, and therefore
(according to the usual disposition of good men) he could the more
easily forgive it. [2.] They were adversaries to his interest. If
he should put to death Shimei, who cursed him, those would expect
the same fate who had taken up arms and actually levied war against
him, which would drive them from him, while he was endeavouring to
draw them to him. Acts of severity are seldom acts of policy.
<i>The throne is established by mercy.</i> Shimei, hereupon, had
his pardon signed and sealed with an oath, yet being bound, no
doubt, to his good behaviour, and liable to be prosecuted if he
afterwards misbehaved; and thus he was reserved to be, in due time,
as much a monument of the justice of the government as he was now
of its clemency, and in both of its prudence.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.24-2Sam.19.30" parsed="|2Sam|19|24|19|30" passage="2Sa 19:24-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.24-2Sam.19.30">
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p15">24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to
meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his
beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until
the day he came <i>again</i> in peace.   25 And it came to
pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king
said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
  26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me:
for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride
thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant <i>is</i> lame.
  27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king;
but my lord the king <i>is</i> as an angel of God: do therefore
<i>what is</i> good in thine eyes.   28 For all <i>of</i> my
father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst
thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table.
What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
  29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of
thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.   30
And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all,
forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own
house.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p16">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p17">I. He went down in the crowd <i>to meet the
king</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.24" parsed="|2Sam|19|24|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>),
and as a proof of the sincerity of his joy in the king's return, we
are here told what a true mourner he was for the king's banishment.
During that melancholy time, when one of the greatest glories of
Israel had departed, Mephibosheth continued in a very melancholy
state. He was never trimmed, nor put on clean linen, but wholly
neglected himself, as one abandoned to grief for the king's
affliction and the kingdom's misery. In times of public calamity we
ought to abridge our enjoyments in the delights of sense, in
conformity to the season. There are times when God calls to weeping
and mourning, and we must comply with the call.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p18">II. When the king came to Jerusalem (since
he could not sooner have an opportunity) he made his appearance
before him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.25" parsed="|2Sam|19|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>);
and when the king asked him why he, being one of his family, had
staid behind, and not accompanied him in his exile, he opened his
case fully to the king. 1. He complained of Ziba, his servant who
should have been his friend, but had been in two ways his enemy;
for, first, he had hindered him from going along with the king, by
taking the ass himself which he was ordered to make ready for his
master (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.26" parsed="|2Sam|19|26|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>),
basely taking advantage of his lameness and his inability to help
himself; and, secondly, he had accused him to David of a design to
usurp the government, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.27" parsed="|2Sam|19|27|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>. How much mischief is it in the power of a wicked
servant to do to the best master! 2. He gratefully acknowledged the
king's great kindness to him when he and all his father's house lay
at the king's mercy, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.28" parsed="|2Sam|19|28|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:28"><i>v.</i>
28</scripRef>. When he might justly have been dealt with as a
rebel, he was treated as a friend, as a child: <i>Thou didst set
thy servant among those that did eat at thy own table.</i> This
shows that Ziba's suggestion was improbable; for could Mephibosheth
be so foolish as to aim higher when he lived so easily, so happily
as he did? And could he be so very disingenuous as to design any
harm to David, of whose great kindness to him he was thus sensible?
(3.) He referred his cause to the king's pleasure (<i>Do what is
good in thy eyes</i> with me and my estate), depending on the
king's wisdom, and his ability to discern between truth and
falsehood (<i>My lord the king is as an angel from God</i>), and
disclaiming all pretensions of his own merit: "So much kindness I
have received above what I deserved, and <i>what right have I to
cry any more unto the king?</i> Why should I trouble the king with
my complaints when I have already been so troublesome to him? Why
should I think any thing hard that is put upon me when I hitherto
been so kindly treated?" We were all <i>as dead men before God;</i>
yet he has not only spared us, <i>but taken us to sit at his
table.</i> How little reason then have we to complain of any
trouble we are in, and how much reason to take all well that God
does!</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p19">III. David hereupon recalls the
sequestration of Mephibosheth's estate; being deceived in his
grant, he revokes it, and confirms his former settlement of it:
"<i>I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land</i> (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.29" parsed="|2Sam|19|29|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>), that is, Let it be as
I first ordered it (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.9.10" parsed="|2Sam|9|10|0|0" passage="2Sa 9:10"><i>ch.</i> ix.
10</scripRef>); the property shall still be vested in thee, but
Ziba shall have occupancy: he shall till the land, paying thee a
rent." Thus Mephibosheth is where he was; no harm is done, only
Ziba goes away unpunished for his false and malicious information
against his master. David either feared him too much, or loved him
too well, to do justice upon him according to that law, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.19.18-Deut.19.19" parsed="|Deut|19|18|19|19" passage="De 19:18,19">Deut. xix. 18, 19</scripRef>; and he was now
in the humour of forgiving and resolved to make every body
easy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p20">IV. Mephibosheth drowns all he cares about
his estate in his joy for the king's return (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.30" parsed="|2Sam|19|30|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>): "<i>Yea, let him take
all,</i> the presence and favour of the king shall be to me instead
of all." A good man can contentedly bear his own private losses and
disappointments, while he see Israel in peace, and the throne of
the Son of David exalted and established. Let Ziba take all, so
that David may be in peace.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.6" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.31-2Sam.19.39" parsed="|2Sam|19|31|19|39" passage="2Sa 19:31-39" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.31-2Sam.19.39">
<h4 id="iiSam.xx-p20.3">Mephibosheth Meets David. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p20.4">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p21">31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from
Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over
Jordan.   32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, <i>even</i>
fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance
while he lay at Mahanaim; for he <i>was</i> a very great man.
  33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me,
and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.   34 And Barzillai
said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up
with the king unto Jerusalem?   35 I <i>am</i> this day
fourscore years old: <i>and</i> can I discern between good and
evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear
any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then
should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?   36
Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why
should the king recompense it me with such a reward?   37 Let
thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine
own city, <i>and be buried</i> by the grave of my father and of my
mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my
lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.  
38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will
do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou
shalt require of me, <i>that</i> will I do for thee.   39 And
all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over,
the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto
his own place.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p22">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.
Barzillai, the Gileadite, who had a noble seat at Rogelim, not far
from Mahanaim, was the man who, of all the nobility and gentry of
that country, had been most kind to David in his distress. If
Absalom had prevailed, it is likely he would have suffered for his
loyalty; but now he and his shall be no losers by it. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p23">I. Barzillai's great respect to David, not
only as a good man, but as his righteous sovereign: He <i>provided
him with much sustenance,</i> for himself and his family, <i>while
he lay at Mahanaim,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.32" parsed="|2Sam|19|32|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>. God had given him a large estate, <i>for he was a
very great man,</i> and, it seems, he had a large heart to do good
with it: what else but that is a large estate good for? To reduced
greatness generosity obliges us, and to oppressed goodness piety
obliges us, to be in a particular manner kind, to the utmost of our
power. Barzillai, to show that he was not weary of David, though he
was so great a charge to him, attended him to Jordan, and went over
with him, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.31" parsed="|2Sam|19|31|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
Let subjects learn hence to render <i>tribute to whom tribute is
due</i> and <i>honour to whom honour,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.13.7" parsed="|Rom|13|7|0|0" passage="Ro 13:7">Rom. xiii. 7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p24">II. The kind invitation David gave to him
to court (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.33" parsed="|2Sam|19|33|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>):
<i>Come thou over with me.</i> He invited him, 1. That he might
have the pleasure of his company and the benefit of his counsel;
for we may suppose that he was very wise and good, as well as very
rich, otherwise he would not have been called here <i>a very great
man;</i> for it is what a man is, more than what he has, that
renders him truly great. 2. That he might have an opportunity of
returning his kindness: "<i>I will feed thee with me;</i> thou
shalt fare as sumptuously as I fare, and this at Jerusalem, the
royal and holy city." David did not take Barzillai's kindness to
him as a debt (he was not one of those arbitrary princes who think
that whatever their subjects have is theirs when they please), but
accepted it and rewarded it as a favour. We must always study to be
grateful to our friends, especially to those who have helped us in
distress.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p25">III. Barzillai's reply to this invitation,
wherein,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p26">1. He admires the king's generosity in
making him this offer, lessening his service, and magnifying the
king's return for it: <i>Why should the king recompense it with
such a reward?</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.36" parsed="|2Sam|19|36|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:36"><i>v.</i>
36</scripRef>. Will the master thank that servant who only does
what was his duty to do? He though he had done himself honour
enough in doing the king any service. Thus, when the saints shall
be called to inherit the kingdom in consideration of what they have
done for Christ in this world, they will be amazed at the
disproportion between the service and the recompence. <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.37" parsed="|Matt|25|37|0|0" passage="Mt 25:37">Matt. xxv. 37</scripRef>, <i>Lord, when saw we
thee hungry, and fed thee?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p27">2. He declines accepting the invitation. He
begs his majesty's pardon for refusing so generous an offer: he
should think himself very happy in being near the king, but, (1.)
He is old, and unfit to remove at all, especially to court. He is
old, and unfit for the <i>business</i> of the court: "Why <i>should
I go up with the king to Jerusalem?</i> I can do him no service
there, in the council, the camp, the treasury, or the courts of
justice; for <i>how long have I to live?</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.34" parsed="|2Sam|19|34|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. Shall I think of going into
business, now that I am going out of this world?" He is old and
unfit for the <i>diversions</i> of the court, which will be
ill-bestowed, and even thrown away, upon one that can relish them
so little, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p27.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.35" parsed="|2Sam|19|35|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>.
As it was in Moses's time, so it was in Barzillai's and it is not
worse now, that, <i>if men be so strong that they come to fourscore
years, their strength then is labour and sorrow,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p27.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.90.10" parsed="|Ps|90|10|0|0" passage="Ps 90:10">Ps. xc. 10</scripRef>. These were then, and are
still, years of which men say they <i>have no pleasure in them,</i>
<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p27.4" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.12.1" parsed="|Eccl|12|1|0|0" passage="Ec 12:1">Eccl. xii. 1</scripRef>. Dainties are
insipid when desire fails, and songs to the aged ear are little
better than those sung to a heavy heart, very disagreeable: how
should they be otherwise when the daughters of music are brought
low? Let those that are old learn of Barzillai to be dead to the
delights of sense; let grace second nature, and make a virtue of
the necessity. Nay, Barzillai, being old, thinks he shall be <i>a
burden to the king,</i> rather than any credit to him; and a good
man would not go any where to be burdensome, or, if he must be so,
will rather be so to his own house than to another's. (2.) He is
dying, and must begin to think of his long journey, his removal out
of the world, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p27.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.37" parsed="|2Sam|19|37|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:37"><i>v.</i>
37</scripRef>. It is good for us all, but it especially becomes old
people to think and speak much of dying. "Talk of going to court!"
says Barzillai; "Let me go home and <i>die in my own city,</i> the
place of my father's sepulchre; let me die <i>by the grave of my
father,</i> that my bones may be quietly 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."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p28">3. He desires the king to be kind to his
son Chimham: <i>Let him go over with my lord the king,</i> and have
preferment at court. What favour is done to him Barzillai will take
as done to himself. Those that are old must not grudge young people
those delights which they themselves are past the enjoyment of, nor
confine them to their retirements. Barzillai will go back himself,
but he will not make Chimham go back with him; though he could ill
spare Chimham, yet, thinking it would gratify and advance him, he
is willing to do it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p29">IV. David's farewell to Barzillai. 1. He
sends him back into his country with a kiss and a blessing
(<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.39" parsed="|2Sam|19|39|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>), signifying
that in gratitude for his kindnesses he would love him and pray for
him, and with a promise that whatever request he should at any time
make to him he would be ready to oblige him (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.38" parsed="|2Sam|19|38|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>): <i>Whatsoever thou shalt
think of,</i> when thou comest home, to <i>ask of me,</i> that
<i>will I do for thee.</i> What is the chief excellency of power
but this, that it gives men a capacity of doing the more good? 2.
He takes Chimham forward with him, and leaves it to Barzillai to
choose him his preferment. I will <i>do to him what shall seem good
to thee,</i> <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.38" parsed="|2Sam|19|38|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>.
And, it should seem, Barzillai, who had experienced the innocency
and safety of retirement, begged a country seat for him near
Jerusalem, but not in it; for, long after, we read of a place near
Beth-lehem, David's city, which is called <i>the habitation of
Chimham,</i> allotted to him, probably, not out of the crown-lands
or the forfeited estates, but out of David's paternal estate.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiSam.xx-p0.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.40-2Sam.19.43" parsed="|2Sam|19|40|19|43" passage="2Sa 19:40-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Sam.19.40-2Sam.19.43">
<h4 id="iiSam.xx-p29.5">Quarrel between Israel and
Judah. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiSam.xx-p29.6">b. c.</span> 1023.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiSam.xx-p30">40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham
went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king,
and also half the people of Israel.   41 And, behold, all the
men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have
our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought
the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over
Jordan?   42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of
Israel, Because the king <i>is</i> near of kin to us: wherefore
then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the
king's <i>cost?</i> or hath he given us any gift?   43 And the
men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten
parts in the king, and we have also more <i>right</i> in David than
ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first
had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah
were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiSam.xx-p31">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, <i>half the people
of Israel</i> (that is, of their elders and great men) had come to
wait upon him, to kiss his hand, and congratulate him on his
return, but found they came too late to witness the solemnity of
his first entrance. This put them out of humour, and occasioned a
quarrel between them and the men of Judah, which was a damp to the
joy of the day, and the beginning of further mischief. Here is, 1.
The complaint which the men of Israel brought to the king against
the men of Judah (<scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.41" parsed="|2Sam|19|41|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:41"><i>v.</i>
41</scripRef>), that they had performed the ceremony of bringing
the king over Jordan, and not given them notice, that they might
have come to join in it. This reflected upon them, as if they were
not so well affected to the king and his restoration as the men of
Judah were, whereas the king himself knew that they had spoken of
it before the men of Judah thought of it, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.11" parsed="|2Sam|19|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. It seemed likewise as if they
intended to monopolize the king's favours when he had come back,
and to be looked upon as his only friends. See what mischief comes
from pride and jealousy. 2. The excuse which the men of Judah made
for themselves, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p31.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.42" parsed="|2Sam|19|42|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:42"><i>v.</i>
42</scripRef>. (1.) They plead relations to the king: "<i>He is
near of kin to us,</i> and therefore in a matter of mere ceremony,
as this was, we may claim precedency. It was into our country that
he was to be brought, and therefore who so fit as we to bring him?"
(2.) They deny the insinuated charge of self-seeking in what they
had done: "<i>Have we eaten at all of the king's cost?</i> No, we
have all borne our own charges. <i>Hath he given us any gift?</i>
No, we have no design to engross the advantages of his return; you
have come time enough to share in them." Too many that attend
princes do so only for what they can get. 3. The men of Israel's
vindication of their charge, <scripRef id="iiSam.xx-p31.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.19.43" parsed="|2Sam|19|43|0|0" passage="2Sa 19:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>. They pleaded, "<i>We have ten
parts in the king</i>" (Judah having Simeon only, whose lot lay
within his, to join with him), "and therefore it is a slight upon
us that our advice was not asked about <i>bringing back the
king.</i>" See how uncertain the multitude is. They were lately
striving against the king, to drive him out; now they are striving
about him, which shall honour him most. A good man and a good cause
will thus recover their credit and interest, though, for a time,
they may seem to have lost them. See what is commonly the origin of
strife, nothing so much as impatience of contempt or the least
seeming slight. The men of Judah would have done better if they had
taken their brethren's advice and assistance; but, since they did
not, why should the men of Israel be so grievously offended? If a
good work be done, and well done, let us not be displeased, nor the
work disparaged, though we had no hand in it. 4. The scripture
takes notice, by way of blame, which of the contending parties
managed the cause with most passion: <i>The words of the men of
Judah were fiercer than</i> those <i>of the men of Israel.</i>
Though we have right and reason on our side, yet, if we express
ourselves with fierceness, God takes notice of it and is much
displeased with it.</p>
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