2 Samuel 19:1-14
victory <08668> [victory. Heb. salvation, or, deliverance. turned.]
city <05892> [into the city.]
stole .............. steal <01589> [steal.]
covered <03813> [covered.]
son ..... son ... son <01121> [O my son.]
It is allowed by competent critics that the lamentation of David over his son, of which this forms a part, is exceedingly pathetic; and Calmet properly remarks, that the frequent repetition of the name of the deceased is common in the language of lamentation.
embarrassed <03001> [Thou hast.]
Every one must admit that David's immoderate grief for his rebellious son was imprudent, and that Joab's firm and sensible reproof was necessary to arouse him to a sense of his duty to his people: but, in his manner, Joab far exceeded the bounds of that reverence which a servant owes to his master, or a subject to his prince.
saved <04422> [saved.]
love ....... friends <0157> [In that, etc. Heb. By loving, etc. thou regardest, etc.]
Heb. princes or servants are not to thee. then it had.
encouragement .... servants <03820 05650> [comfortably unto thy. Heb. to the heart of thy.]
stay <03885> [there.]
disaster ......... disaster <07451> [all the evil.]
sat ..... gate ............ sitting ..... gate <08179 03427> [sat in the gate.]
How prudently and mildly David took the reproof and counsel given him! He shook off his grief, anointed his head, and washed his face, that he might not appear unto men to mourn, and then made his appearance at the gate of the city, which was the public place of resort for the hearing of causes and giving judgment, as well as a place to ratify special bargains. Thither the people flocked to congratulate him on his and their safety, and that all was well. When we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of it by our inferiors in a way which is peculiarly painful to our natural feelings. This ancient custom still obtains in the East; for when Dr. Pococke returned from viewing the town of ancient Byblus, he says, "The sheik and the elders were sitting in the gate of the city, after the ancient manner, and I sat awhile with them."
Israelite soldiers <03478> [for Israel.]
arguing <01777> [strife.]
king <04428> [The king.]
fled <01272> [he is fled.]
anointed <04886> [whom.]
died <04191> [is dead.]
hesitate ... bring <02790 07725> [speak ye not a word. Heb. are ye silent?]
sent <07971> [sent.]
Tell <01696> [Speak.]
bringing <0314> [Why are.]
very <06106> [my bones.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
God <0430> [God.]
place ... Joab <03097 08478> [room of Joab.]
won <05186> [he bowed.]
The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be adopted for accomplishing this salutary end. David appears to take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in him might be naturally excited; and to oblige them yet farther, purposes to make Amasa general of the army, instead of Joab.
one <0259> [even.]
