2Sa 19 | TNotes

Summary for 2Sam 19:5-7: 19:5-7 ^a These verses provide the only recorded instance of Joab openly rebuking the king (cp. 24:3 ^b).
Summary for 2Sam 19:9-10: 19:9-10 ^c The argument among the tribes of Israel (possibly referring only to the northern tribes) resulted in the consensus that they should ask David to come back, perhaps instead of going back to the semiautonomy of the era of the judges (cp. 20:1 ^d).
Summary for 2Sam 19:11-12: 19:11-12 ^e When David realized that the northern tribes would welcome him (19:9-10 ^f), he sent emissaries to goad Judah, his own tribesmen, into welcoming him as well. See also study note on 19:41-43.
19:13 ^g commander ... in his place: Amasa’s appointment would be short-lived (20:7-10 ^h).
Summary for 2Sam 19:15-23: 19:15-23 ⁱ On his return to Jerusalem, David showed mercy to Shimei, the pro-Saul northerner who had cursed David when he fled from Jerusalem (see 16:5-14 ^j), but Shimei’s action did not go unpunished (1 Kgs 2:8 ^k, 36-46 ^l). 19:15 ^m Gilgal was an important city in the days of Samuel and Saul (see study note on 19:40; 1 Sam 7:16 ⁿ; 11:15 ^o).
19:17 ^p Ziba: See 16:1-4 ^q.
19:20 ^r I know how much I sinned: Shimei’s repentance might have been genuine, or he might simply have been backpedaling in a desperate attempt to save his life. David’s concern for Absalom’s safety had shown that David was not a self-promoting, bloodthirsty throne-stealer, as Shimei had thought; and Absalom had not replaced him (16:8 ^s), as Shimei had charged.

• in all Israel (literally in all the house of Joseph): Just as Jacob’s name could stand for all Israel (e.g., Num 24:19 ^t; Isa 10:20 ^u), Joseph’s name could stand for all the northern tribes (e.g., see study notes on Amos 5:6; Zech 10:6).
Summary for 2Sam 19:21-22: 19:21-22 ^v Cp. 16:9-12 ^w.

• Abishai: See study note on 16:9.

• you sons of Zeruiah: See study notes on 2:18; 17:25. While it was Abishai who consistently wanted to kill those hostile to David (cp. 16:9 ^x; 1 Sam 26:8 ^y), David also expressed his frustration with Joab, Abishai’s brother (see 2 Sam 3:28-29 ^z, 39 ^aa; 19:13 ^ab; 1 Kgs 2:5-6 ^ac).
19:23 ^ad David’s oath of protection was not binding on David’s heir, Solomon, who later ordered Shimei’s execution for far less serious crimes (1 Kgs 2:36-46 ^ae).
Summary for 2Sam 19:24-30: 19:24-30 ^af See 16:1-4 ^ag. 19:24 ^ah Mephibosheth’s inattention to grooming throughout David’s absence from Jerusalem was an act of mourning that proved his loyalty to David. If Mephibosheth had designs on the throne (16:3 ^ai), he would not have retained such an unkempt appearance.
Summary for 2Sam 19:27-28: 19:27-28 ^aj like an angel of God: See study note on 14:17.

• I could expect only death ... What more can I ask? If Mephibosheth had wanted to betray David, it would have been a profound show of ingratitude for all that David had done for him.
19:30 ^ak Mephibosheth’s disinterest in claiming even half of his property showed conclusively that his happiness over David’s return was genuine.
Summary for 2Sam 19:31-40: 19:31-40 ^al Because he was very old and frail, Barzillai declined David’s invitation to the royal court in Jerusalem as reward for his assistance. David took Barzillai’s son Kimham instead (see also 1 Kgs 2:7 ^am). 19:31 ^an Gilead was part of Manasseh’s territory on the east side of the Jordan (Josh 17:5 ^ao).
19:39 ^ap kissed him: This was a genuine and affectionate kiss, in contrast with David’s cold kiss for Absalom (14:33 ^aq) and Absalom’s calculating one for the people (15:5 ^ar).
19:40 ^as Gilgal, a natural stop along David’s westward route, was also a politically significant location: It was where the people had proclaimed Saul king (1 Sam 11:15 ^at) and Samuel later announced the end of Saul’s reign (1 Sam 13:13-15 ^au). David’s kingship now had a new beginning at Gilgal.
Summary for 2Sam 19:41-43: 19:41-43 ^av This dispute, prompted by David’s favoring his own tribe of Judah, reflects the roots of the division that eventually split Judah and Israel into separate nations (1 Kgs 11:31 ^aw; 12:16 ^ax, 20 ^ay).

• Weren’t we the first: See 2 Sam 19:11-12 ^az.