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Texts -- 2 Samuel 19:16-43 (NET)

Context
19:16 Shimei son of Gera the Benjaminite from Bahurim came down quickly with the men of Judah to meet King David . 19:17 There were a thousand men from Benjamin with him, along with Ziba the servant of Saul’s household , and with him his fifteen sons and twenty servants . They hurriedly crossed the Jordan within sight of the king . 19:18 They crossed at the ford in order to help the king’s household cross and to do whatever he thought appropriate . Now after he had crossed the Jordan , Shimei son of Gera threw himself down before the king . 19:19 He said to the king , “Don’t think badly of me, my lord , and don’t recall the sin of your servant on the day when you, my lord the king , left Jerusalem ! Please don’t call it to mind ! 19:20 For I, your servant , know that I sinned , and I have come today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king .” 19:21 Abishai son of Zeruiah replied , “For this should not Shimei be put to death ? After all, he cursed the Lord’s anointed !” 19:22 But David said , “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah ? You are like my enemy today ! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today ? Don’t you realize that today I am king over Israel ?” 19:23 The king said to Shimei , “You won’t die .” The king vowed an oath concerning this. 19:24 Now Mephibosheth , Saul’s grandson , came down to meet the king . From the day the king had left until the day he safely returned , Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes . 19:25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king , the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth ?” 19:26 He replied , “My lord the king , my servant deceived me! I said , ‘Let me get my donkey saddled so that I can ride on it and go with the king ,’ for I am lame . 19:27 But my servant has slandered me to my lord the king . But my lord the king is like an angel of God . Do whatever seems appropriate to you. 19:28 After all, there was no one in the entire house of my grandfather who did not deserve death from my lord the king . But instead you allowed me to eat at your own table ! What further claim do I have to ask the king for anything ?” 19:29 Then the king replied to him, “Why should you continue speaking like this? You and Ziba will inherit the field together .” 19:30 Mephibosheth said to the king , “Let him have the whole thing ! My lord the king has returned safely to his house !” 19:31 Now when Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim , he crossed the Jordan with the king so he could send him on his way from there . 19:32 But Barzillai was very old – eighty years old , in fact– and he had taken care of the king when he stayed in Mahanaim , for he was a very rich man . 19:33 So the king said to Barzillai , “Cross over with me, and I will take care of you while you are with me in Jerusalem .” 19:34 Barzillai replied to the king , “How many days do I have left to my life , that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem ? 19:35 I am presently eighty years old . Am I able to discern good and bad ? Can I taste what I eat and drink ? Am I still able to hear the voices of male and female singers ? Why should I continue to be a burden to my lord the king ? 19:36 I will cross the Jordan with the king and go a short distance. Why should the king reward me in this way ? 19:37 Let me return so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother . But look , here is your servant Kimham . Let him cross over with my lord the king . Do for him whatever seems appropriate to you.” 19:38 The king replied , “Kimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever I deem appropriate . And whatever you choose , I will do for you.” 19:39 So all the people crossed the Jordan , as did the king . After the king had kissed him and blessed him, Barzillai returned to his home . 19:40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal , Kimham crossed over with him. Now all the soldiers of Judah along with half of the soldiers of Israel had helped the king cross over . 19:41 Then all the men of Israel began coming to the king . They asked the king , “Why did our brothers , the men of Judah , sneak the king away and help the king and his household cross the Jordan – and not only him but all of David’s men as well?” 19:42 All the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel , “Because the king is our close relative ! Why are you so upset about this ? Have we eaten at the king’s expense? Or have we misappropriated anything for our own use?” 19:43 The men of Israel replied to the men of Judah , “We have ten shares in the king , and we have a greater claim on David than you do! Why do you want to curse us? Weren’t we the first to suggest bringing back our king ?” But the comments of the men of Judah were more severe than those of the men of Israel .

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • David

    [ebd] beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother's name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal ...
    [isbe] DAVID - da'-vid (dawidh, or dawidh, "beloved"; Daueid, also in New Testament, Dauid, Dabid; see Thayer's Lexicon): I. NAME AND GENEALOGY II. EARLY YEARS 1. Shepherd 2. Slinger 3. Harpist 4. Poet 5. Psalmist 6. Tribesman III....
    [nave] DAVID 1. King of Israel. Genealogy of, Ruth 4:18-22; 1 Sam. 16:11; 17:12; 1 Chr. 2:3-15; Matt. 1:1-6; Luke 3:31-38. A shepherd, 1 Sam. 16:11. Kills a lion and a bear, 1 Sam. 17:34-36. Anointed king, while a youth, by the ...

  • Benjamin

    [ebd] son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (Gen. 35:18). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him ...
    [isbe] BENJAMIN - ben'-ja-min (binyamin, or binyamin; Beniaein, Beniamin): 1. The Patriarch: The youngest of Jacob's sons. His mother Rachel died in giving him birth. As she felt death approaching she called him Benoni, "son of my ...
    [nave] BENJAMIN 1. Son of Jacob by Rachel, Gen. 35:18, 24; 46:19. Taken into Egypt, Gen. 42-45. Prophecy concerning, Gen. 49:27. Descendants of, Gen. 46:21; Num. 26:38-41. Tribe of Census of, at Sinai, Num. 1:37; in the plain ...

  • Barzillai

    [isbe] BARZILLAI - bar-zil'-a-i, bar-zil'-i (barzillay; Berzelli, "man of iron" (BDB, but compare Cheyne, Encyclopedia Biblica)): (1) A Gileadite of Rogelim who brought provisions to David and his army to Mahanaim, in their flight ...
    [smith] (iron, i.e., strong). A wealthy Gileadite who showed hospitality to David when he fled form Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:27) (B.C. 1023.) He declined the king?s offer of ending his days at court. (2 Samuel 19:32-39) A Meholat...
    [nave] BARZILLAI 1. A friend of David, 2 Sam. 17:27-29; 19:31-39; 1 Kin. 2:7; Ezra 2:61; Neh. 7:63. 2. Father of Adriel, 2 Sam. 21:8. 3. A priest, Ezra 2:61; Neh. 7:63.

  • Shimei

    [ebd] famous. (1.) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi (Num. 3:18; 1 Chr. 6:17, 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17. (2.) A Benjamite of the house of Saul, who stoned and cursed David when he reached Bahurim in his flight from Jerusa...
    [isbe] SHIMEI - shim'-e-i (shim`i, possibly "hear me (El)" or "(Jah)"; Semeei, Semei): A name of frequent occurrence throughout the Old Testament records, sometimes varying slightly in form in English Versions of the Bible. The Kin...
    [smith] (renowned). Son of Gershon the son of Levi, (Numbers 3:18; 1 Chronicles 6:17,29; 23:7,9,10; Zechariah 12:13) called SHIMI in (Exodus 6:17) (B.C. after 1706.) Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of the house of Saul, who l...
    [nave] SHIMEI 1. Called also Shimi. Son of Gershon, Ex. 6:17; Num. 3:18; 1 Chr. 6:17; 23:7, 10. 2. A Benjamite. Curses David; David's magnanimity toward, 2 Sam. 16:5-13; 19:16-23, with 1 Kin. 2:36-46. 3. An officer of David, 1 K...

  • Mephibosheth

    [ebd] exterminator of shame; i.e., of idols. (1.) The name of Saul's son by the concubine Rizpah (q.v.), the daughter of Aiah. He and his brother Armoni were with five others "hanged on a hill before the Lord" by the Gibeonites, a...
    [isbe] MEPHIBOSHETH - me-fib'-o-sheth (mephibhosheth, "idol-breaker," also MERIB-BAAL (which see); Memphibosthe): (1) Son of Saul by his concubine RIZPAH (which see), daughter of Aiah (2 Sam 21:8). See also ARMONI. (2) Grandson of ...
    [nave] MEPHIBOSHETH 1. Son of Saul by Rizpah, whom David surrendered to the Gibeonites to be slain, 2 Sam. 21:8, 9. 2. Son of Jonathan, 2 Sam. 4:4. Called Merib-baal, 1 Chr. 8:34; 9:40. Was lame, 2 Sam. 4:4. David entertains hi...

  • Ziba

    [isbe] ZIBA - zi'-ba (tsibha', tsibha' (2 Sam 16:4a), meaning unknown; Seiba): A former servant or probably dependent of Saul's house (2 Sam 9:1 ff), who was brought to David when the king inquired if there was not a member of Saul...
    [smith] (statue), a servant of Saul whom David made steward of Saul?s son Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9:2-18; 16:1-4; 19:17,29) [MEPHIBOSHETH] (B.C. 1023.)
    [nave] ZIBA, Saul's servant. His fidelity to Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 9; to David, 2 Sam. 16:1-4; 19:17, 26-29.

  • Chimham

    [ebd] pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Sam. 19:37-40). The "habitation of Chimham" (Jer. 41:17) was probably an inn or khan, which is the proper meaning of the Hebrew geruth, rendered "habitation", e...
    [isbe] CHIMHAM - kim'-ham (kimham (2 Sam 19:37,38) or kimhan (2 Sam 19:40) or kemohem (Jer 41:17 Kt.); this reading, however, may probably be safely ignored): One of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, who supported David while th...
    [smith] (longing), a follower and probably a son, of Barzillai the Gileadite, who returned from beyond Jordan with David. (2 Samuel 19:37,38,40) (B C 1023.) David appears to have bestowed on him a possession at Bethlehem, on which...
    [nave] CHIMHAM, a Gileadite, 2 Sam. 19:37, 38, 40; Jer. 41:17.

  • Amnesty

    [nave] AMNESTY For political offenses: To Shimei, 2 Sam. 19:16-23; to Amasa, 2 Sam. 19:13, with 17:25.

  • Treason

    [nave] TREASON. Instances of Of Aaron and Miriam against Moses, Num. 12:1-11. Of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron, Num. 16:1-33. Of Rahab against Jericho, Josh. 2. Of the betrayer of Beth-el, Judg. 1:24, 25. ...

  • Clemency

    [nave] CLEMENCY Of David toward disloyal subjects: Shimei, 2 Sam. 16:5-13; 19:16-23; Amasa, 2 Sam. 19:13, with 2 Sam. 17:25. Divine See: God, Longsuffering of, and Mercy of.

  • Slander

    [nave] SLANDER Comes from the evil heart, Luke 6:45. Often arises from hatred, Psa. 109:3. Idleness leads to, 1 Tim. 5:13. The wicked addicted to, Psa. 50:20. Hypocrites addicted to, Prov. 11:9. A characteristic of the devil, ...

  • Israel

    [ebd] the name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed." (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob's descendants. The whole peop...
    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • Gera

    [ebd] grain. (1.) The son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin (1 Chr. 8:3, 5,7). (2.) The father of Ehud the judge (Judg. 3:15). (3.) The father of Shimei, who so grossly abused David (2 Sam. 16:5; 19:16, 18).
    [isbe] GERA - ge'-ra (gera', "grain"): A family name of the tribe of Benjamin, hence, not necessarily a separate individual in (3) and (4) below: (1) A son of Benjamin (Gen 46:21). (2) According to 1 Ch 8:3,5,7, son of Bela and gra...
    [nave] GERA Possibly the name of three men; more probably of one. The son of Bela, Gen. 46:21; Judg. 3:15; 2 Sam. 16:5; 19:16, 18; 1 Kin. 2:8; 1 Chr. 8:3, 5, 7.

  • Contentment

    [nave] CONTENTMENT. Psa. 16:6; Psa. 37:7, 16; Prov. 14:14 v. 10.; Prov. 15:13, 15, 30; Prov. 16:8; Prov. 17:1, 22; Prov. 30:8; Eccl. 2:24 Eccl. 3:12, 13; 8:15. Eccl. 4:6; Eccl. 5:12; Eccl. 6:9 vs. 7,8.; Eccl. 9:7-9; Luke 3:14; 1 C...

  • Gilgal

    [smith] (a wheel; rolling). The site of the first camp of the Israelites on the west of the Jordan, the place at which they passed the first night after crossing the river, and where the twelve stones were set up which had been take...
    [nave] GILGAL 1. Place of the first encampment of the Israelites W. of the Jordan, Josh. 4:19; 9:6; 10:6, 43; 14:6. Monument erected in, to commemorate the passage of the Jordan by the children of Israel, Josh. 4:19-24. Circumcis...

  • Old Age

    [nave] OLD AGE. Gen. 15:15; Gen. 47:9; Deut. 34:7; 2 Sam. 19:34-37; 1 Chr. 29:28; Job 5:26; Job 11:17 Job 42:17. Job 12:12; Job 32:4-9; Psa. 71:9, 18; Psa. 90:10; Psa. 92:14; Psa. 148:12, 13; Prov. 16:31; Eccl. 6:3, 6; Eccl. 12:1-...

  • Rogelim

    [ebd] fullers, a town of Gilead, the residence of Barzillai the Gileadite (2 Sam. 17:27; 19:31), probably near to Mahanaim.
    [isbe] ROGELIM - ro'-ge-lim, ro-ge'-lim (roghelim; Rhogelleim): The place whence came Barzillai the Gileadite to succor David in his flight from Absalom (2 Sam 17:27; 19:31). It probably lay near the path followed by David, but it ...
    [smith] (fullers) the residence of Barzillai the Gileadite, (2 Samuel 17:27; 19:31) in the highlands east of the Jordan.
    [nave] ROGELIM, the home of Barzillai, 2 Sam. 17:27; 19:31.

  • Beard

    [ebd] The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews (Lev. 19:27; 21:5). Hence the import of Ezekiel's (5:1-4) description of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used against the guilty nation o...
    [isbe] BEARD - berd: (1) Western Semites in general, according to the monuments, wore full round beards, to which they evidently devoted great care. The nomads of the desert, in distinction from the settled Semites, wore a clipped ...
    [smith] Western Asiatics have always cherished the beard as the badge of the dignity of manhood, and attached to it the importance of a feature. The Egyptians, on the contrary for the most part shaved the hair of the face and head, t...
    [nave] BEARD Worn long by Aaron, Psa. 133:2; Samson, Judg. 16:17; David, 1 Sam. 21:13; Ezek. 5:1. Shaven by Egyptians, Gen. 41:14. Untrimmed in mourning, 2 Sam. 19:24. Plucked, Ezra 9:3. Cut, Isa. 7:20; 15:2; Jer. 41:5; 48:37. ...

  • Rashness

    [nave] RASHNESS. Psa. 116:11; Prov. 14:29; Prov. 19:2; Prov. 21:5; Prov. 25:8; Prov. 29:20; Eccl. 5:2; Eccl. 7:9 Instances of Moses, in slaying the Egyptian, Ex. 2:11, 12; Acts 7:24, 25. When he struck the rock, Num. 20:10-12. ...

  • Jealousy

    [nave] JEALOUSY. Prov. 6:34; 27:4; Eccl. 4:4; Song 8:6. Law concerning, when husband is jealous of his wife, Num. 5:12-31. Image of, Ezek. 8:3, 4. Forbidden, Rom. 13:13. Attributed to God, Ex. 20:5; 34:13, 14; Num. 25:11; Deut...
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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • (Continued from notes on 1 Samuel)V. David's triumphs chs. 1-8A. The beginning of David's kingdom 1:1-3:51. David's discovery of Saul and Jonathan's deaths ch. 12. David's move to Hebron 2:1-4a3. David's overtures to Jabesh-g...
  • The first 20 chapters of 2 Samuel are divisible into four units each of which ends with a list of names that is four verses long (1:1-3:5; 3:6-5:16; 5:17-8:18; 9:1-20:26).2The first two units conclude with lists of David's so...
  • "Saul the king is dead, Jonathan the heir apparent is dead, Abinadab and Malki-Shua (two of Jonathan's brothers) are dead (1 Sam 31:2), Abner the commander of the army is dead--and no other viable claimants or pretenders cont...
  • "As the story of David's accession to kingship over Judah (1:1-3:5) parallels that of his accession to the throne of Israel (3:6-5:16), each concluding with a list of his sons (3:2-5; 5:13-16), so the account of his powerful ...
  • Chapters 9-20 contrast with chapters 2-8 in that this later section is negative whereas the earlier one was positive. It records failure; the former records success. Compare the similar narrative of Saul's triumphs (1 Sam. 7-...
  • This is the longest literary section in the Court History of David (chs. 9-20). It records Absalom's antagonism to David that resulted in the king having to flee Jerusalem, but it ends with David's defeat of his enemy and his...
  • "David now encounters Ziba (vv. 1-4), the first of two men with links to the house of Saul (the other is Shimei [vv. 5-14]). Although Ziba attempts to ingratiate himself to him and Shimei curses him, David treats each with co...
  • This is the central unit of chapters 5-20, and its central focus is the judgment that Hushai's advice was better than Ahithophel's (17:14). This advice is the pivot on which the fortunes of David swung in his dealings with Ab...
  • "In the overall structure of 15:1-20:22, the story of Absalom's death (18:1-18) provides a counterpoise to that of Shimei's curse (16:5-14 . . .). Just as in the earlier narrative an adversary of David (Shimei) curses him (vv...
  • "The mule was a royal mount; losing his mule [v. 9] Absalom has lost his kingdom."258The text says Absalom's head caught in an overhanging oak branch (v. 9). Josephus interpreted this, perhaps in view of 14:26, as his hair go...
  • "In the overall structure of chapters 15-20 (more precisely 15:1-20:22), the literary unit describing the return of King David' (v. 11) to Jerusalem (vv. 9-43) parallels that depicting his flight (15:13-37) caused by Absalom'...
  • "The account of Sheba's rebellion against David serves as a counterpoise to the story of Absalom's conspiracy (15:1-12) in chapters 15-20, which constitute the major part of the narrative that comprises chapters 13-20 (more p...
  • "With Joab's return to the king in Jerusalem, the grand symphony known as the Court History of David reaches its conclusion for all practical purposes (at least as far as the books of Samuel are concerned . . .). The last fou...
  • Achtemeier, Paul J., and Elizabeth Achtemeier. The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979.Ackerman, James S. "Knowing Good and Evil: A Literary Ananysis of the Court History in 2 Samuel 9-20 and ...
  • The first segment of the writer's story (1:1-2:12) continues the history of Israel's monarchy where 2 Samuel ended. It records the final events in David's reign that led to Solomon's succession to the throne. It answers the q...
  • Adonijah was David's fourth son (2 Sam. 3:4) and the eldest one living at this time. Evidently he believed it was more important that the eldest son succeed David, as was customary in the Near East, than that the king of Yahw...
  • David had warned Solomon to keep Shimei under close observation and to put him to death (vv. 8-9). Evidently David realized because of Shimei's past actions that it would only be a matter of time before he would do something ...
  • Rehoboam's pride led him into further trouble. He wanted to start a civil war to recapture the throne. Benjamin joined with Judah at this time and remained allied from then on (cf. 2 Sam. 19:16-17). God had to intervene throu...
  • Chapter 21 records the fulfillment of God's second personal promise to David, namely, that He would appoint a place where Israel could dwell securely (17:9). This was a promise of peace for Israel, but as the verses following...
  • 41:4-5 Two days after Gedaliah's murder, before the news of it had spread, 80 religious pilgrims came down from the old towns of Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria in northern Israel on their way to Jerusalem. Their dress and other...
  • 23:1-3 The Lord gave Ezekiel a story about two sisters who had one mother (cf. Jer. 3:7). These young girls became prostitutes in Egypt and allowed men to fondle their breasts. That is, they allowed the Egyptians to become in...
  • The tribal allotments south of this special territory would fall to Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad. This was the total land to be divided by lot and the tribes' individual portions.The tribe of Benjamin received...
  • 12:1 "The burden . . . concerning Israel"introduces chapters 12-14 as "The burden . . . against the land of Hadrach"(9:1) did chapters 9-11. By describing Yahweh as the creator of the heavens, earth, and man, Zechariah remind...
  • 1:21 Capernaum became Jesus' base of ministry in Galilee (cf. Luke 4:16-31). It stood on the Sea of Galilee's northwest shore and was the hub of the most populous district in Galilee. Archaeologists have done extensive restor...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Usually the former is supposed to have been slandered by the latter, and to have been truly attached to David. But it is at least questionable whether Ziba was such a villain, and Mephibosheth such an injured innocent, as is ...
  • 2 Samuel 19:34-37People often fancy that religion is only good to die by, and many exhortations are addressed to the young, founded on the possibility that an early death may be their lot. That, no doubt, is a very solemn con...
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