2 Samuel 19:1-43 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-8

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, 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:... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9-15

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,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:16-23

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 from the land of Jordan (Ps. 42:6), 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, a ferry-boat was sent on purpose, 2 Sam. 19:18. A... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

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. I. He went down in the crowd to meet the king (2 Sam. 19:24), 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31-39

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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:40-43

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, half the people of Israel (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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1

And it was told Joab ,.... When returned to Mahanaim, or on his way to it; perhaps by the messengers he sent; and this report he had before he saw the king: behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom ; for the death of him, instead of rejoicing at the victory obtained, and the deliverance from his enemies. read more

John Gill

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

And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people ,.... They also mourned too, instead of expressing joy upon the occasion: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son ; this report was spread among them, which damped their joy, and hindered them from giving any tokens of it, as were usual at such times. read more

John Gill

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:16-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:24-30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31-39

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:40-43

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:1

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

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

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

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