2 Samuel 19

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-8

( MAHANAIM .) Immoderate grief. This interview between David and Joab throws light upon the character of both, and the relations subsisting between them. 1 . The best of men are by no means perfect. David's grief, although natural, and, in some respects, commendable, was unseasonable, excessive, and injurious; and exposed him to just reproof. 2 . The worst of men are not altogether bad, but often exhibit admirable qualities. When Joab put Absalom to death against the king's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-15

The facts are: 1 . In consequence of David's sorrowful isolation, the people mourn and betake themselves to the city ashamed and discouraged. 2 . Joab, being informed of the fact, enters the king's house, and sharply rebukes him for his conduct, charging him with disregarding the sacrifices his people had made, and caring more for his rebellious son than for his attached friends. 3 . Joab then advises him at once to arise and go forth to encourage the people, pointing out that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:2

EXPOSITION The victory (Hebrew, the salvation ) that day was turned into mourning. Naturally, the people did not understand the poignant emotions caused by the activity of David's conscience, and were pained at this seeming ingratitude to them for their brave exertions in his behalf, and at what they must have regarded as indifference to the welfare of the nation. Nor would it be easy for us to understand his conduct during the flight from Jerusalem, and in bearing Shimei's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:5

And Joab … said. Joab's speech puts the alternative in a very incisive and even rude way before the king. But what he says is true, namely, that Absalom's success would inevitably have been followed by the massacre, not only of David himself, but of his sons and daughters, and of the women who had accompanied him in his flight. Nor would it have stopped there. but the officers of his court, the captains of his army, his mighties, and all who had long eared for and loved him would have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:6

Loving enemies and hating friends. "Thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends." Joab's remonstrance with David was rude, and in the language of exaggeration; yet in substance it was wise, as the issue proved. The king's lamentations did show excessive love for his deceased son, who had been his deadly enemy; and his abandonment of himself to grief when he ought to have been thanking his brave friends as they returned from the battle, and congratulating them on the victory they had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:8

All the people came before the king . Probably they passed in review before him, and received his thanks. By thus acting in accordance with Joab's wise counsel, David probably saved the nation from years of anarchy, and a fresh civil war. For Israel had fled every man to his tent; Hebrew, and Israel, that is, Absalom's partisans, fled each man to his tent —to his home. The Authorized Version confounds Israel with David's soldiers, but consistently throughout the narrative "the hearts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9

Late reflection and appreciation. The rebels against King David having been defeated, and their chosen leader slain, they bethink themselves of their position and of the claims of their injured sovereign; and begin to stir up each other to obtain his return and reinstatement. Their words are obviously true; but the facts they now recognize were as truly facts when they rose in rebellion. It was only their feeling with respect to them that had changed. So it is commonly. Under the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:10

Absalom, whom we anointed over us. It is evident from these words that there had been some solemn anointing and appointment of Absalom, and this accounts for the manner in which his partisans are always described as "Israel," while David's men are simply "his servants." With this anointment there must also have been a formal renunciation of David's rule, and, being thus dethroned, he does not attempt to return until the nation summons him back. As the flight of David narrated in 2 Samuel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:11

David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar. The two high priests had remained behind at Jerusalem, to watch over David's interests, and he now, by a messenger, probably Ahimaaz or Jonathan, urges them to quicken the proceedings of his own tribe. We may feel quite sure that there was discussion in Judah as well as in the other tribes; but the rebellion had begun at Hebron, and probably many of the leading chiefs were deeply implicated in Absalom's proceedings. Probably they now regretted it, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:12

My bones; Hebrew, my bone and my flesh, so nearly related as to be part of my own self ( Genesis 2:23 ). read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:10

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:12

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