Chapter Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
S E C O N D S A M U E L
CHAP. XIX.
We left David's army in triumph and yet David himself in tears: now here we have, I. His return to himself, by the persuasion of Joab, 2 Samuel 19:1 - 8 . II. His return to his kingdom from his present banishment. 1. The men of Israel were forward of themselves to bring him back, 2 Samuel 19:9 ; 2 Samuel 19:10 . 2. The men of Judah were dealt with by David's agents to do it 2 Samuel 19:11 - 14 ) and did it, 2 Samuel 19:15 . III. At the king's coming over Jordan, Shimei's treason is pardoned 2 Samuel 19:16 - 23 ), Mephibosheth's failure is excused 2 Samuel 19:24 - 30 ), and Barzillai's kindness is thankfully owned, and recompensed to his son, 2 Samuel 19:31 - 39 . IV. The men of Israel quarrelled with the men of Judah, for not calling them to the ceremony of the king's restoration, which occasioned a new rebellion, an account of which we have in the next chapter, 2 Samuel 19:40 - 43 .
Book Note Matthew Henry Commentary (Complete)
AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND BOOK OF
S A M U E L.
This book is the history of the reign of king David. We had in the foregoing book an account of his designation to the government, and his struggles with Saul, which ended at length in the death of his persecutor. This book begins with his accession to the throne, and is entirely taken up with the affairs of the government during the forty years he reigned, and therefore is entitled by the LXX. The Third Book of the Kings. It gives us an account of David's triumphs and his troubles. I. His triumphs over the house of Saul 2 Samuel 1:1 - 42 Samuel 1:1 - 4 ), over the Jebusites and Philistines 2 Samuel 5:1 - 252 Samuel 5:1 - 25 ), at the bringing up of the ark 2 Samuel 6:1 - 72 Samuel 6:1 - 7 ), over the neighbouring nations that opposed him 2 Samuel 8:1 - 102 Samuel 8:1 - 10 ); and so far the history is agreeable to what we might expect from David's character and the choice made of him. But his cloud has a dark side. II. We have his troubles, the causes of them, his sin in the matter of Uriah 2 Samuel 11:1 - 122 Samuel 11:1 - 12 ), the troubles themselves from the sin of Amnon 2 Samuel 13:1 - 392 Samuel 13:1 - 39 ), the rebellion of Absalom 2 Samuel 14:1 - 432 Samuel 14:1 - 43 ) and of Sheba 2 Samuel 20:1 - 262 Samuel 20:1 - 26 ), and the plague in Israel for his numbering the people 2 Samuel 24:1 - 252 Samuel 24:1 - 25 ), besides the famine of the Gibeonites, 2 Samuel 21:1 - 222 Samuel 21:1 - 22 . His son we have 2 Samuel 22:1 - 512 Samuel 22:1 - 51 ), and his words and worthies, 2 Samuel 23:1 - 392 Samuel 23:1 - 39 . Many things in his history are very instructive; but for the hero who is the subject of it, though in many instances he appears here very great, and very good, and very much the favourite of heaven, yet it must be confessed that his honour shines brighter in his Psalms than in his Annals.
