2 Samuel 19:19-29

19 So he said to the king, "1Let not my lord consider me guilty, nor remember what your servant did wrong on the day when my lord the king came out from Jerusalem, so that the king would take it to heart.
20 "For your servant knows that I have sinned; therefore behold, I have come today, 2the first of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king."
21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah said, "3Should not Shimei be put to death for this, 4because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?"
22 David then said, "5What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be an adversary to me? 6Should any man be put to death in Israel today? For do I not know that I am king over Israel today?"
23 The king said to Shimei, "7You shall not die." Thus the king swore to him.
24 Then 8Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and 9he had neither cared for his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor 10washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
25 It was when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "11Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?"
26 So he answered, "O my lord, the king, my servant deceived me; for your servant said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself that I may ride on it and go with the king,' 12because your servant is lame.
27 "Moreover, 13he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is 14like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight.
28 "For 15all my father's household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; 16yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should complain anymore to the king?"
29 So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.' "

2 Samuel 19:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 19

David indulging to too much grief for the death of his son, is rebuked by Joab, and threatened with a revolt of the people from him, if he did not change his conduct, which be accordingly did, 2Sa 19:1-8; upon which the men of Israel were the first that moved for the bringing him back to Jerusalem, and the men of Judah were solicited to join with them in it, which was effected, 2Sa 19:9-15; and at Jordan, Shimei, that had cursed him, met him, and asked his pardon, and was forgiven, 2Sa 19:16-23; and when come to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth excused so well his not going out with him, that he had half his land restored to him, which had been given to his servant, 2Sa 19:24-30; and Barzillai, who had very liberally supplied the king, was allowed to return to his own city, and Chimham his son was taken to court, 2Sa 19:31-40; and a contention arose between the men of Israel and of Judah about the restoration of the king, which issued in an insurrection, as the next chapter shows, 2Sa 19:41-43.

Cross References 16

Footnotes 6

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