2 Samuel 19:23-33

23 Then the king said to Shim'i, "You will not be put to death," and the king swore it to him.

24 M'fivoshet the son of Sha'ul came down to meet the king. He hadn't cared for his legs, trimmed his beard or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he came home in peace.

25 When he came to Yerushalayim to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why didn't you go with me, M'fivoshet?"

26 He answered, "My lord king, my servant deceived me. I your servant had said, 'I will saddle a donkey for myself to ride on and go with the king,' since your servant is lame.

27 But he slandered me your servant to my lord the king. However, my lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever seems right to you.

28 For all my father's household deserved death at the hand of my lord the king; nevertheless you placed your servant with those who eat at your own table. I deserve nothing more; so why should I come crying any more to the king?"

29 The king said to him, "Why speak any more about these matters of yours? I say: you and Tziva, divide the land."

30 M'fivoshet said to the king, "Indeed, let him take it all; for me it's enough that my lord the king has come home in peace."

31 Barzillai the Gil'adi had come down from Roglim and passed on to the Yarden with the king to bring him across the Yarden.

32 Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old; he had provided for the king's needs when he was staying at Machanayim; for he was a wealthy man.

33 The king said to Barzillai, "Come on across with me, and I will provide for your needs with me in Yerushalayim."

2 Samuel 19:23-33 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.