2 Samuel 19
Second Samuel 19 covers David’s journey to put down Absalom’s rebellion and return to Jerusalem. The first half of the chapter contrasts David, who is plunged into deep grief because of Absalom’s death, with Joab, who offers him practical counsel. After that, David prepares to restore his kingship centered on the tribe of Judah, and through encounters with those who in the past cursed him or cast doubt on him, he practices forgiveness and reconciliation during the process of his return. In the end, however, tensions between the tribes of Israel and Judah come to light, leaving sparks of national division. This is a passage to reflect on, focusing on David’s process as king of regaining control of his emotions and restoring his leadership, as well as the broad-minded compassion he demonstrates.
1verseJoab was told, “Behold, the king weeps and mourns for Absalom.”
2verseThe victory that day was turned into mourning among all the people, for the people heard it said that day, “The king grieves for his son.”
3verseThe people sneaked into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
4verseThe king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!”
5verseJoab came into the house to the king, and said, “Today you have shamed the faces of all your servants who today have saved your life, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your concubines;
6versein that you love those who hate you and hate those who love you. For you have declared today that princes and servants are nothing to you. For today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and we had all died today, then it would have pleased you well.
7verseNow therefore arise, go out and speak to comfort your servants; for I swear by the LORD, if you don’t go out, not a man will stay with you this night. That would be worse to you than all the evil that has happened to you from your youth until now.”
8verseThen the king arose and sat in the gate. The people were all told, “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” All the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent.
9verseAll the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “The king delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.
10verseAbsalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why don’t you speak a word of bringing the king back?”
11verseKing David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, “Speak to the elders of Judah, saying, ‘Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house, since the speech of all Israel has come to the king, to return him to his house?
12verseYou are my brothers. You are my bone and my flesh. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?’
13verseSay to Amasa, ‘Aren’t you my bone and my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if you aren’t captain of the army before me continually instead of Joab.’”
14verseHe bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as one man, so that they sent to the king, saying, “Return, you and all your servants.”
15verseSo the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
16verseShimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was of Bahurim, hurried and came down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
17verseThere were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul’s house, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went through the Jordan in the presence of the king.
18verseA ferry boat went to bring over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had come over the Jordan.
19verseHe said to the king, “Don’t let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember that which your servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
20verseFor your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore behold, I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.”
21verseBut Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?”
22verseDavid said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?”
23verseThe king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore to him.
24verseMephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
25verseWhen he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
26verseHe answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. For your servant said, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king,’ because your servant is lame.
27verseHe has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is as an angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.
28verseFor all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should appeal any more to the king?”
29verseThe king said to him, “Why do you speak any more of your matters? I say, you and Ziba divide the land.”
30verseMephibosheth said to the king, “Yes, let him take all, because my lord the king has come in peace to his own house.”
31verseBarzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king to conduct him over the Jordan.
32verseNow Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.
33verseThe king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.”
34verseBarzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35verseI am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
36verseYour servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37versePlease let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”
38verseThe king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”
39verseAll the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
40verseSo the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.
41verseBehold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, “Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”
42verseAll the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s cost? Or has he given us any gift?”
43verseThe men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
David’s Grief and Joab’s Rebuke (Verses 1–8)
After Absalom’s death, David falls into overwhelming grief and weeps even in front of the army. But this grief has the result of lowering the morale of the soldiers who have returned in victory from war. Joab rebukes David, telling him to remember the loyalty and hard work of the people, and demands that the king take a responsible attitude. In the end, David restores his leadership by sitting at the city gate and showing himself to the people.
Preparing the King’s Return and the Role of the Tribe of Judah (Verses 9–15)
Among the tribes of Israel, discussions are held about bringing David back as king, and David approaches the tribe of Judah first and takes gestures to restore the relationship. He sends messages to the priests Zadok and Abiathar, and also to the elders of Judah, making his intentions clear. David promises that he will appoint Amasa as commander of the army instead of Joab, which is also a strategy to win the hearts of the tribe of Judah.
Scenes of Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Verses 16–30)
On the way back to Jerusalem after crossing the Jordan, David meets three people. First, Shimei apologizes for what he did in the past by cursing David, and David forgives him. Next, Mephibosheth explains that he did not betray David, showing his loyalty, and David resolves the issue of the land of Ziba with him. Finally, Jair’s Gileadite man Barzillai is recognized as someone who greatly helped David. Because he is old, he does not go along to Jerusalem; instead, he sends his servant Chimham to accompany David.
Signs of Conflict Between the Tribes (Verses 41–43)
When David crosses the Jordan together with the men of Judah, the tribes of Israel express their dissatisfaction. They criticize Judah for acting on its own, saying that they too have the right to welcome the king back. The men of Judah counter by presenting their closer ties, and the argument grows more and more intense. This becomes the seed of conflict between the tribes that will lead to the divided kingdom later.
Meditation Points
- As king, David had to put the community first rather than his personal feelings. What kind of sense of responsibility do we carry within the community?
- Even in the process of restoring his leadership, David shows gentleness and forgiveness. What does my leadership look like?
- David’s willingness to try forgiveness and reconciliation first shows wisdom for resolving conflicts in our lives.
Try Applying It to Me
- If I were in the position of a leader, look back and reflect on whether I am making decisions for the community rather than for my feelings.
- Check whether I have the courage and wisdom to reach out first to someone with whom there has been conflict.
- Remember that seemingly small misunderstandings and complaints can lead to a major split, and be careful not to lightly brush off even small conflicts in everyday relationships.
