2 Samuel 19:5-7

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 19:5

Thou hast shamed this day - Joab's speech to David on his immoderate grief for the death of his rebellious son is not only remarkable for the insolence of office, but also for good sense and firmness. Every man who candidly considers the state of the case, must allow that David acted imprudently at least; and that Joab's firm reproof was necessary to arouse him to a sense of his duty to his people. But still, in his manner, Joab had far exceeded the bonds of that reverence which a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 19:5

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 19:5

Had Absalom gained the victory, it is likely that, according to the manner of Oriental despots, he would have sought to secure his throne by killing all possible competitors Judges 9:5; 1 Kings 15:29. read more

Group of Brands