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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The victory - was turned into mourning - Instead of rejoicing that a most unnatural and ruinous rebellion had been quashed, the people mourned over their own success, because they saw their king so immoderately afflicted for the loss of his worthless son. read more
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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