2 Samuel 19:15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. And David returned, and came to the Jordan (the eastern bank; while Judah came to Gilgal, joined by Shimei and Ziba; and a ferry boat was passing to and fro to carry over the king's household, ver. 18); crossed over (to the western bank, conducted by Judah and half the people of Israel, vers. 39, 40); came to Gilgal (where all the men of Israel met him, and a new contention arose, ver. 41; 2 Samuel 21:1); and finally (conducted by the men of Judah) to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 21:3). The return of David, like his flight, is described minutely and graphically. As he had been called to the throne by the voice of the people (2 Samuel 5:1-3), so he desired to return to it, not by force, but by their free consent; and would take no active measures for his restoration until he should receive some intimation thereof. "Our Lord Jesus will rule only in those that invite him to the throne in their hearts, and not till he is invited. He first bows the heart, and makes it willing.in the day of his power, then rules in the midst of his enemies (Psalm 110:2, 3)" (Matthew Henry). David's restoration was distinguished by: 1. The returning allegiance of the rebellious. (Vers. 9,10.) "All the tribes of Israel" (except Judah). Popular revolutions are usually followed by speedy reactions. Convinced of their error, ingratitude, and injustice by their defeat, remembering the great services which David had rendered on their behalf, and considering the present condition of affairs, "all the people" manifest a disposition to "bring the king back;" and this gratifying intelligence is reported to him while waiting at Mahanaim. 2. The decisive action of the dilatory. (Vers. 11-15.) "The men of Judah," who, since the rebellion arose in their territory, feared the king's displeasure, or proudly held aloof in continued disaffection under Amasa. But whoa assured of his regard, reminded of their kinship, and urged to activity, they are at once "drawn" unto him "as one man;" send the message, "Return," etc.; and come to conduct him across the Jordan. Judah is again to the front. David's appeal was conciliatory, and seems wise and just (though some think otherwise), however disastrous its ultimate effect. 3. The humble submission of the guilty. (Vers. 16-23.) Shimei, with a thousand men of Benjamin, and Ziba,' etc. "They went eagerly [prosperously, Hebrew, tzalach] over the Jordan in the presence of the king" (ver. 17); and "Shimei fell down before the king in his crossing over (abar) the Jordan" (while the transit was going on). "With a self-control rare in Western no less than Eastern history, every step in his progress was marked by forgiveness" (Maclear). 4. The joyful welcome of the suspected. (Vers. 24-30.) The innocent Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul, now vindicated and restored to "all that he most cared for - the king's favour, his old place at the king's table, and the formal recognition of his ownership" of the inheritance. 5. The friendly greeting of the faithful. (Vers. 31-39). Barzillai, an aged and "very great man," representative of the trans-Jordanic inhabitants; testifying his devotion to the king in prosperity, whom he had aided in adversity, and receiving his grateful benediction. How different is it with David now from what it had been at his former crossing (2 Samuel 17:22) 1 "This passage of the Jordan was the most memorable one since the days of Joshua." 6. The zealous emulation of the tribes. (Vers. 40-43.) Their strife for pre-eminence; "Ephraim envying Judah, and Judah vexing Ephraim' (Isaiah 11:13), leading to a fresh revolt, which, however, is speedily overcome. David's troubles, so incessant, so varied, so great, "from his youth" (ver. 7), are not yet ended; but they are all ordered by the hand of God for his good. "Sanctified affliction is spiritual promotion." 7. The complete establishment of the kingdom. (2 Samuel 20:3, 22-26.) He sees again the habitation of the Lord (2 Samuel 15:25), and rules over a peaceful and united nation. His return is like the commencement of a new reign (ver. 22). "The remainder of David's life - a period probably of about ten years - flowed on, so far as we can gather, in a bright calm, and an undisturbed course of improvements" (Ewald). - D. Parallel Verses KJV: So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. |
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