2 Samuel 19

21–23 Once again Abishai, son of David’s sister Zeruiah and brother of Joab, wanted to put Shimei to death (see 2 Samuel 16:910). And once again David rebuked the sons of Zeruiah—not only Abishai but his brother Joab as well (verse 22). The day of David’s return was to be a day of amnesty, not bloodshed. So David promised on oath that Shimei would not be put to death. And David kept that promise during his lifetime (see 1 Kings 2:8–9).

There is likely a deeper reason why David was willing to forgive Shimei. David realized that the temporary loss of his throne was ultimately the result of his sin with Bathsheba. He had just had his throne restored to him—a clear sign that God had forgiven him. Therefore it was fitting that he should forgive those who had sinned against him (see Matthew 6:14–15).

24–30 Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1–13) also came to meet David at the Jordan River. Recalling Ziba’s previous accusation against him (2 Samuel 16:3), David asked Mephibosheth why he had not joined him in his flight from Jerusalem (verse 25). David was clearly doubtful about Mephibosheth’s loyalty.

Mephibosheth explained that he had wanted to go with David, but since he was lame he needed to ride on his donkey. “But Ziba . . . betrayed me,” he said (verse 26). His implication was that Ziba had taken his donkey; perhaps it was one of the string of donkeys that Ziba had earlier given to David (2 Samuel 16:1). In addition, Mephibosheth said that Ziba had slandered him by casting doubt on his loyalty to David. He said to David, “ . . . do whatever pleases you” (verse 27)—an indirect way of asking David to reconsider the transfer of his property to Ziba (2 Samuel 16:3–4).

David reconsidered, and not being sure who had been telling the truth, he divided the property equally between Ziba and Mephibosheth (verse 29). Then, in order to demonstrate his loyalty to David, Mephibosheth declined to take his half of the property; all he ever desired was to have David home safely (verse 30).

31–39 Another individual was also at the Jordan to meet David: Barzillai from Gilead; earlier he had sent provisions to David and his household (2 Samuel 17:2729). To reward him, David invited him to come to Jerusalem (verse 33).

But Barzillai replied that he was too old to enjoy the pleasures of David’s court; he said he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between what was good and what [was] not—he could no longer taste or hear! (verse 35). Instead, Barzillai suggested that David invite Kimham (probably Barzillai’s son) to come to Jerusalem in his place, to which suggestion David agreed (verse 38).

40–43 When David crossed the Jordan on his way back to Jerusalem, all the troops of Judah but only half the troops of Israel were on hand to escort him across (verse 40). Here, as we have seen before in the book of 2 Samuel, “Israel” means the ten northern tribes. The northern tribes were upset that the men of Judah didn’t wait for “all Israel” to assemble before taking David across the Jordan.⁶⁴ They said they had ten shares in the king (verse 43)—that is, they represented ten of the twelve tribes; therefore, they had a greater claim on the king. They felt the men of Judah were treating them with contempt.

Such tribal jealousy sounds pointless to us today, but to the ancient Israelites it was not. This jealousy grew into outright hostility and eventually resulted in God’s chosen people being split apart into two nations: Israel in the north and Judah in the south (1 Kings 12:1–24). Jealousy is a deadly poison that can split apart not only families and churches but entire nations as well.