2 Samuel 19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:3

And the people got them by stealth that day into the city ,.... Did not march into it in companies, in a public and triumphant manner, as conquerors used to do; but entered in a private manner, one by one, or a very few together, not caring to be seen or known, at least by the king, as fearing they had incurred his displeasure: but as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle ; as if they had been conquered, and not conquerors; nay, had acted a cowardly part, and ran away;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:4

But the king covered his face ,.... And would not see his generals, and thank them for their services: but wrapped himself in his mantle, after the manner of mourners: and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son ! and this was some time, perhaps some days after he had received the news of his death, since Joab and the army were returned from the battle; had it been a sudden start of passion, upon first hearing thee news, and had continued a few... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:5

And Joab came into the house to the king ,.... For by this time he was removed from the chamber over the gate to his own dwelling house or palace, where he continued the same doleful ditty as at first: and said, thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants ; they cannot lift up their heads, and look any in the face, nor one another; but behave as if they had committed some very great fault, in fighting with the rebels, and beating them: which this day have saved thy life,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:6

In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends ,.... Which though not strictly true, there was some appearance of it, which is here greatly exaggerated; in that he expressed so much grief and sorrow for Absalom his enemy, who had rebelled against him, and showed so little regard to his friends, that had exposed their lives for him: for thou hast declared this day : by his conduct and behaviour, mourning for his rebellious son, and taking no notice of his faithful servants: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:7

Now therefore arise, go forth ,.... Arise from his couch, he was watering with his tears, and go forth from his house, where he had shut himself up retired from all company, to the gate of the city, where the people passed and repassed, and there was a concourse of them: this he said not by way of command, but by way of advice; though all along he seems to take too much upon him, and to speak unbecoming a subject, and not with that decency as was necessary in, speaking to a king; but it may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:8

Than the king arose, and sat in the gate ,.... Of the city, a public place, where the inhabitants met on divers accounts at times, and where there were always people passing and repassing: and they told unto all the people ; or it was reported to the soldiers particularly: saying, behold the king doth sit in the gate ; has laid aside his mourning, appears in public, and receives his friends, and attends to business: and all the people came before the king ; to congratulate him on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9

And all the people were at strife through all the tribes of Israel ,.... Excepting the tribe of Judah; they blamed and reproved one another for taking part with Absalom in the rebellion, and especially for their coldness and backwardness in bringing back David to Jerusalem: saying, the king saved us out of the hand of our enemies ; exposed his life to danger, fought our battles for us, and gained us victory over our enemies, and saved us from them, especially those next mentioned: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:10

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us ,.... To be king; which either was really done by Absalom's party, or in effect by proclaiming and appointing him king: is dead in battle ; which shows the thing was not of God, and by which means they were released from their oath of allegiance to him: now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back ? nobody speaks of it, gives the least hint of it, or shows any concern about it; but the greatest coldness and indifference, as if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:11

And King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests ,.... Who were at Jerusalem, and in his interest; perhaps by Ahimaaz and Jonathan their sons: saying, speak unto the elders of Judah ; particularly those that were at Jerusalem, with whom they had an interest: saying, why are ye the last to bring back the king to his house ? to his palace at Jerusalem, since David was of their tribe, and was first anointed their king: what might make them the more backward to it was their being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:12

Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh ,.... Being of the same tribe, and therefore he should deal gently with them, as if they were parts of his body; and not be severe upon them, for the hand they had in the conspiracy, as they might fear: and wherefore then are ye the last to bring the king back ? since they were so nearly related to him, and he so ready to forgive them. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:12

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