2Sa 19:1-4 | Clarke | STEP | David continues his lamentation for his son, and the people are greatly discouraged, . Joab reproves and threatens him with the general defection of the people, . David lays aside his mourning, and shows himself to the people, who are thereby encouraged, . The tribes take counsel to bring the king back to Jerusalem, . He makes Amasa captain of the host in place of Joab, . The king, returning, is met by Judah at Gilgal, , . Shimei comes to meet David, and entreats for his life, which David grants, . Mephibosheth also meets him, and shows how he had been slandered by Ziba, . David is met by Barzillai, and between them there is an affecting interview, . Contention between the men of Judah and the men of Israel, about bringing back the king, .

2 Samuel 19:1-4

Introduction

David continues his lamentation for his son, and the people are greatly discouraged, 2Sam 19:1-4. Joab reproves and threatens him with the general defection of the people, 2Sam 19:5-7. David lays aside his mourning, and shows himself to the people, who are thereby encouraged, 2Sam 19:8. The tribes take counsel to bring the king back to Jerusalem, 2Sam 19:9-12. He makes Amasa captain of the host in place of Joab, 2Sam 19:13. The king, returning, is met by Judah at Gilgal, 2Sam 19:14, 2Sam 19:15. Shimei comes to meet David, and entreats for his life, which David grants, 2Sam 19:16-23. Mephibosheth also meets him, and shows how he had been slandered by Ziba, 2Sam 19:24-30. David is met by Barzillai, and between them there is an affecting interview, 2Sam 19:31-40. Contention between the men of Judah and the men of Israel, about bringing back the king, 2Sam 19:41-43. Verse 2

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. Verse 4

The king covered his face - This was the custom of mourners.

O my son Absalom - Calmet has properly remarked that the frequent repetition of the name of the defunct, is common in the language of lamentation. Thus Virgil, act. v., ver. 51: - - Daphnin que team tollemus ad astra;

Daphnin ad astra feremus: amavit nos quoque Daphnis. "With yours, my song I cheerfully shall join,

To raise your Daphnis to the powers Divine.

Daphnis I'll raise unto the powers above,

For dear to me was Daphnis' well tried love."

See the notes on the preceding chapter, 2 Samuel 18 (note).