19:1–8 Casting formality and protocol aside, Joab sharply criticizes David for mourning his dead son. The king’s actions present a conflict of interest for his army and communicate contempt for them. Joab urges David to be wise so that he will not lose control of his kingdom.

19:1 Joab David’s nephew and the commander of his army. See 2:13 and note.

was weeping and he mourned See 3:31 and note.

19:2 to mourning Rather than expressing gratitude by celebrating their extraordinary victory, the king mourns his dead rival and offends his troops. His actions communicate the army’s failure to deal gently with Absalom by bringing him back alive (see 18:5).

The king is grieving The army and people are surprised by David’s actions because Absalom had gone to war in order to kill him.

19:3 was disgraced when they fled David’s mourning stifles the joy of victory and shames his troops.

19:5 Joab came to the king’s house Joab dispenses with proper protocol and rebukes the king for mourning his enemy and discrediting his army’s efforts.

your life The men have also saved David’s kingdom.

19:6 those who hate you Refers to Absalom, his disloyal and rebellious son.

those who love you Refers to his army and those who faithfully support him.

all of us were dead See 18:33.

19:7 no man will lodge Joab assures David that such persistent disrespect for his troops will lead them to abandon him.

this disaster will be greater for you than David would be defenseless and his kingdom vulnerable to defeat without his army.

19:8 he sat in the gate David listens to Joab and positions himself in the sight of all his soldiers (compare 18:4). His presence among them communicates that he supports their efforts.

Israel had fled Refers to those who fought with Absalom against David (see 18:7).

19:9–15 Following Joab’s rebuke and David’s subsequent commendation of the army, the king returns home to Jerusalem to reclaim his throne.

19:9 all the people were disputing After returning home from their defeat in battle, the Israelites dispute among themselves about what they should do next. They conclude that their only option is to welcome home the king (v. 10), which leads to the conflict in vv. 41–43.

19:11 to Zadok and to Abiathar They had remained loyal to David. See 15:27–28.

Speak to the elders of Judah David has already been informed of the northern tribes’ recommitment to his kingship. As he attempts to reconsolidate his kingdom, he exploits the rivalry between north and south to urge the people of Judah to recommit themselves as well.

19:12 My brothers, you David makes his second appeal on the basis of tribal loyalty. David, a Judahite, urges his kinsmen to bring him back into his capital city.

19:13 my bones and my flesh Amasa was David’s nephew (see 17:25 and note), but so was Joab (see 2:13 and note). However, by giving him Joab’s military post at this time, David places Amasa in a position to sway Judahite leadership and unite the army.

in place of Joab Joab’s disobedience concerning Absalom (see 18:5) leads to him being replaced. His replacement, Amasa, had been Absalom’s army commander (see 17:25).

19:14 he turned the heart of all the men of David’s plan is successful (see v. 13 and note).

19:15 to Gilgal The place of kingship renewal (see 1 Sam 11:14–15).

19:16–43 As David returns, those who opposed him when Absalom took over (or at least appeared to have opposed him, e.g., Mephibosheth) attempt to make restitution. David appears to pardon them, but never forgives them for rebellion (see 1 Kgs 2).

19:16 Shimei A relative of Saul who had cursed David. See 2 Sam 16:5–14 and note.

19:17 a thousand men were with him from Benjamin Shimei may be attempting to show his influence to David in hopes that the king will let him live. Shimei influenced 1,000 men to welcome David back, proving that he could be a valuable ally.

Ziba the servant of The servant of Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth. See 9:10 and note; 16:1–4 and note.

they rushed to The absence of Mephibosheth, Ziba’s master (who shows up in vv. 24–30), suggests that Ziba was attempting to cover his earlier lies about Mephibosheth (16:1–4).

19:20 the house of Joseph Represents the northern tribes (see v. 17 and note).

19:21 Abishai David’s nephew (see 2:18 and note).

not Shimei be put to death See 16:9.

he cursed the anointed one of Yahweh Assumes that David had established a precedent for the treatment of Yahweh’s anointed (see 1:15 and note).

19:22 sons of Zeruiah See 16:10 and note.

19:23 You shall not die David allows Shimei to live until 1 Kgs 2:8–9 when, with his dying words, David orders his son Solomon to kill him.

19:24 he had not taken care of his feet Mephibosheth’s signs of mourning for David’s exile demonstrate that, in contrast to Ziba’s statement in 2 Sam 16:3, he had not rebelled against the king.

19:25 Why did you not come with me, Mephibosheth? See 16:3.

19:26 your servant is lame Mephibosheth explains that he could not saddle a donkey and make the journey himself because of his physical condition (see 4:4 and note).

19:27 he slandered against your servant See 16:3.

like the angel of God Refers to his ability to make clear judgments (14:17; 1 Sam 29:9).

19:28 who were not doomed to death Incoming kings would normally kill the offspring of their predecessor in order to avoid rival claimants to the throne.

those who eat at your table See 2 Sam 9:7 and note.

19:29 shall divide the land David honors his promise to Ziba (16:4) but does not fully disinherit Mephibosheth since he was clearly tricked.

19:30 Let him take the whole thing Mephibosheth only cares about the king’s safe return, not his familial land.

19:32 had provided the king David remembers Barzillai’s kindness in his final instructions to Solomon (see 17:27–29; 1 Kgs 2:7).

19:33 I will provide for you to dwell with me in Jerusalem In gratitude, David offers to take Barzillai back to Jerusalem to live in the royal palace.

19:37 Here is your servant Kimham Barzillai states that at his age, he prefers to stay in his own city. He sends another man, presumably his son, in his place.

19:41 have our brothers the men of Judah stolen away The men of Israel perceive that the men of Judah are attempting to sneak David back, possibly to win favor with the reinstated king over against the men of Israel.

19:42 is my close relative They brought him back because they are from the same tribe.

from the king The Judahites state that, despite familial connections, they have not abused their privileged position.

19:43 ten times as much A reference to the other 10 tribes. In contrast to the Judahites, who are only one tribe, the Israelites represent the bulk of the nation.

bring back my king See 2 Sam 19:9 and note.

the words of the men of Judah were fiercer They silence their critics, leading to the reaction in ch. 20.