2 Samuel 19

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:22

Ye sons of Zeruiah … adversaries unto me; literally, that ye be to me for a Satan; rendered "adversary" in Numbers 22:22 , but by Ewald in this place "tempter." It probably means "one who would do me harm." Though David speaks of the sons of Zeruiah in the plural (as in 2 Samuel 16:10 ), there is no reason to suppose that Joab shared in Abishai's impetuosity. Indifferent as he was to the shedding of blood, he was too prudent and politic to put the people out of temper by an execution... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:23

The king sware unto him. David's magnanimity was not the result merely of policy, but also of joyful feeling at seeing all the tribes so readily welcome him back to the throne. But in spite of his oath, he orders Solomon to execute him, regarding what he had done as a sin past forgiveness. In so doing we can hardly acquit David of breaking his oath, even granting that Shimei's repentance was insincere, and that the motive of his actions was the desire simply to save his life. But we must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24

Mephibosheth . The meeting of David and Mephibosheth possibly took place at Jerusalem (see on 2 Samuel 19:25 ), and, if so, the order of events is not chronological. Ziba certainly came to the Jordan fords, and the narrative may have been introduced here to complete the account of his doings. In neglecting his person and his dress, Mephibosheth was showing signs of heartfelt sorrow, and as he thus mourned during Absalom's tenure of power, it exposed him to the usurper's displeasure, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

( THE JORDAN .) The vindication of Mephibosheth. "He hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king" ( 2 Samuel 19:27 ). The lame son of Jonathan comes upon the scene once more before his final disappearance. During the rebellion he seems to have continued at Jerusalem; and a strange spectacle he must have presented there, with his neglected person and mournful countenance. On hearing that the king was returning, he set out from Jerusalem (Hebrew, to; or "Jerusalem came,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

Inability hindering desired service. Although some are disposed to accept Ziba's account of his master's conduct ( 2 Samuel 16:3 ) rather than Mephibosheth's own, as given in these verses, there seems to be no just reason to doubt his truth and sincerity. He did not go with David because, owing to his lameness and the treachery and cunning of Ziba, he was unable to do so. The narrative suggests such thoughts as follow. I. INABILITY DEBARS MANY CHRISTIANS FROM SOME ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:25

When he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king. This certainly looks as if the meeting took place at Jerusalem, and apparently when David had reached the royal palace (see 2 Samuel 19:30 ). But what, then, is meant in 2 Samuel 19:24 by his "going down" to meet the king? If, too, he had been at Jerusalem all the while, how could he come there? Some, therefore, translate, "Then Jerusalem came to meet the king"—a possible, but not a natural, rendering, nor one that agrees with 2 Samuel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:26

Thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass. This would mean, "Thy servant purposed, said within himself, that he would saddle an ass, not by his own hands, but by those of his servants." All the versions, however, except the Chaldee, read, "Thy servant said to him, Saddle me an ass." With this agrees the narrative in 2 Samuel 16:1 . Mephibosheth ordered Ziba to saddle for him an ass, and one for an attendant, and to put hastily together a supply of food for the journey. And Ziba does so;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:29

Thou and Ziba divide the land. Two views are taken of this decision—the one, that it was a complete reversal of the command in 2 Samuel 16:4 , placing matters upon the old footing, by which Ziba was to have half the produce for cultivating the estate; the other, and apparently the most correct view, is that Ziba was now made actual owner of half the land, and Mephibosheth, instead of a half, would henceforth have only a quarter of the crops. The decision was not equitable, and David speaks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:30

Yea, let him take all. These words betray a feeling of resentment. Though outwardly they profess to regard the loss of the property with indifference, as compared with the joy of the king's return, yet this sort of "I don't care" answer usually covers anger. Blunt's arguments, to show that Mephibosheth really was a traitor, are ingenious, but not convincing. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31

Barzillai . Barzillai was so wealthy a man that, with some help from others, he had provided the king "of sustenance," or, in more modern English, "with sustenance," while his army lay encamped at Mahanaim; and now, though he was eighty years of age, he wished to attend the king in person until he reached the other side of Jordan. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:22

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:23

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:25

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:26

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:29

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:30

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31

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