2 Samuel 19:40

40 Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king.

2 Samuel 19:40 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:40

Then the king went on to Gilgal
Which, according to Josephus ^F14, was fifty furlongs from Jordan, six miles and a quarter:

and Chimham went on with him;
after Barzillai had left them, and accompanied the king to Jerusalem:

and all the people of Judah conducted the king;
to Jerusalem; who came to meet him, ( 2 Samuel 19:15 ) ;

and also half the people of Israel;
or a part of them, as the word used signifies, and not always an equal half, so Kimchi observes; even such of Israel as went out with David at first, and the a thousand men of Benjamin that came to meet him, ( 2 Samuel 19:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4.

2 Samuel 19:40 In-Context

38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.

40 Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king.

41 Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”

42 And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?”