19:4-7At times we must reprove those in authority over us. Joab knew he was risking the king’s displeasure by confronting him, but he saw what had to be done. Joab told David that there would be dreadful consequences if he didn't commend the troops for their victory. Joab’s actions are a helpful example to us when personal confrontation is necessary.
Life Application Study Bible2 SamuelChapter 19
2 Samuel 19
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 494, 495, 496
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192 Samuel 19
Joab Rebukes the King
11 9 1*Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. 2As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. 3They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. 4The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!” 5Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, 6We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. °You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. 7Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the LORD that if you don’t go out, nota single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.” 8So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him. Meanwhile, the Israelites who had supported Absalom fled to their homes. 9And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. 10Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?” 1Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, 11Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready. 12You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?” 13And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.” 14Then Amasa* convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.”
David's Return to Jerusalem
1518So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river. 16Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David. 7A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul, and Ziba’s fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king. 18They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king’s household across the river, helping him in every way they could.
David’s Mercy to Shimei
As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. 19“My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 291 know how much I sinned. That is why Ihave come here today, the very first person in all Israel* to greet my lord the king.” 21Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the LORD’s anointed king!” 22“Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary* today? This is not a day for execution but for celebration! Today I am once again the king of Israel!” 23Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”
David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
2424Now Mephibosheth,* Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25“ Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him. 26Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey* so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?” 28"You've said enough,” David replied. “I've decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.” 30“Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”
David's Kindness to Barzillai
3131Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. 32He was very old, about eighty, and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. 33“Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.” 34“No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. 35I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! 37Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him.” 38“Good,” the king agreed. “Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want.” 9 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed and embraced him, Barzillai returned to his own home. 40The king then crossed over to Gilgal, taking Kimham with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king on his way.
An Argument over the King
4141But all the men of Israel complained to the king, “The men of Judah stole the king and didn’t give us the honor of helping take you, your household, and all your men across the Jordan.” 42The men of Judah replied, “The king is one of our own kinsmen. Why should this make you angry? We haven't eaten any of the king’s food or received any special favors!” 43“But there are ten tribes in Israel,” the others replied. “So we have ten times as much right to the king as you do. What right do you have to treat us with such contempt? Weren't we the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again?” The argument continued back and forth, and the men of Judah spoke even more harshly than the men of Israel.
Textual footnotes
- baal.
- 19:1 Verses 19:1-43 are numbered 19:2-44 in Hebrew text.
- 19:14 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads he.
- 19:20 Hebrew in the house of Joseph.
- 19:22 Or my prosecutor. 19:24 Mephibosheth is another name for Merib-
- 19:26 As in Greek, Syriac, and Latin versions; Hebrew reads / will saddle a donkey for myself.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
19:8David sat at the town gate because that was where business was conducted and judgment rendered. His presence there showed that he was over his mourning and back in control.
19:8-10Just a few days before, most of Israel was supporting the rebel ruler Absalom. Now the people wanted David back as their king. Because crowds are often fickle, there must be a higher moral code to follow than the pleasure of the majority. Following the moral principles given in God's Word will help you avoid being swayed by the popular opinions of the crowd.
19:13David's appointment of Amasa was a shrewd political move. First, Amasa had been commander of Absalom’s army; by making Amasa his commander, David would secure the allegiance of the rebel army. Second, by replacing Joab as commander in chief, David punished him for his previous crimes (3:26-29). Third, Amasa had a great deal of influence over the leaders of Judah (19:14). All of these moves would help to unite the kingdom.
19:19,20By admitting his wrong and asking David's forgive- Ness, Shimei was trying to save his own life. His plan worked for a while. This was a day of celebration, not execution. But we read in 1 Kings 2:8, 9 that David advised Solomon to execute Shimei.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Personality profile · page 495
Profile: Joab
Joab, the great mititary leader, had two brothers who were also famous soldiers: Abishai and Asahel. Joab proved to be the greatest leader of the three and was the commander of David's army throughout most of David's reign. There is no record that his troops ever lost a battle. Joab was a fearless fighter like his brothers. Unlike them, he was also a brilliant and ruthless strategist. His plans usually worked, but he was seldom concerned about those hurt or killed by them. He did not hesitate to use treachery or murder to achieve his goals. His career is a story of great accomplishments and shameful acts. He conquered Jerusalem and the surrounding nations, defeated Abner, and reconciled Absalom and David. But he also mur-. dered Abner, Amasa, and Absalom, took part in Uriah’s murder, and plotted with Adonijah against Solomon. That plot led to his execution. Joab set his own standards—he lived by them and died because of them. There is little evidence that Joab ever acknowledged God's standards. On one occasion he confronted David about the danger of taking a census without God’s command, but this may have been little more than a move to protect himself. Joab’s self-centeredness eventually destroyed him. He was loyal only to himself, even willing to betray his lifelong relationship with David to preserve his power. Joab's life illustrates the disastrous results of having no source of direction outside oneself. Brilliance and power are self-destructive without God’s guidance. Only God can give the direction we need. For that reason, he has made available his Word, the Bible, and he is willing to be personatly present in the lives of those who admit their need for him.
Strengths and accomplishments
© Brilliant planner and strategist
• Fearless fighter and resourceful commander © Confident teader who did not hesitate to confront even the king
• Helped reconcile David and Absalom
• Masterminded the conquest of Jerusalem
• Was repeatedly ruthless, violent, and vengeful
• Carried out David's scheme to have Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, killed
• Avenged his brother’s murder by murdering Abner Killed Absalom against David's orders
• Plotted with Adonijah against David and Sotomon
Weaknesses and mistakes
• Those who live by violence often die by violence
• Even brilliant leaders need guidance
Lessons from his life
• Occupation: Commander in chief of David’s army
• Relatives: Mother: Zeruiah. Brothers: Abishai, Asahel. Uncle: David
• Contemporaries: Saul, Abner, Absalom
Vital statistics
“Do as he said,’ the king replied. ‘Kill him there beside the altar and bury him. This will remove the guilt of Joab’s senseless murders from me and from my father’s family’” (1 Kings 2:31).
Key verse
Joab’s story is told in 2 Samuel 2—1 Kings 2. He is also mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:16; 11:5-9, 20, 26; 19:8-15; 20:1; 21:2-6; 26:28; and in the title of Psaim 60.
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Study feature · page 496
LLL —eeeeeeeE=E=E>=>=>=—=_es=_s 19:21ff David showed tremendous mercy and generosity as he for government that will be fully realized in Christ’s righteous rule returned to Jerusalem. He spared Shimei, restored Mephibosheth, in the coming Kingdom. and rewarded faithful Barzillai. David's fairness sets a standard 19:24-30 David could not be certain if Mephibosheth or Ziba was in the right, and Scripture leaves the question unanswered. (For the whole story on Mephibosheth, see also 9:1-13 and 16:1-4.)
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