2 Samuel 19

Chapter 19 of 2 Samuel falls near the end of the account of Absalom's rebellion (chapters 15–20). Following Absalom's death in 2 Samuel 18, it describes how David regains his throne and returns to Jerusalem.

Outline

• Verses 1–8: David weeps for Absalom, and the day's victory is turned into mourning for the people. Joab rebukes the king, who then goes out and sits in the gate.
• Verses 9–15: The tribes of Israel debate bringing the king back. David sends Zadok and Abiathar to urge the elders of Judah to act and informs Amasa that he will make him commander of the army in place of Joab. The men of Judah come to Gilgal to meet the king.
• Verses 16–23: Shimei comes down with a thousand Benjamites and begs for pardon. Abishai proposes that he be put to death, but David swears that he will not die.
• Verses 24–30: Mephibosheth explains that he was deceived by his servant Ziba. David orders that the land be divided between him and Ziba.
• Verses 31–40: Barzillai, eighty years old, declines the king's invitation to accompany him and sends Chimham in his place.
• Verses 41–43: The men of Israel and the men of Judah quarrel over who was first to bring back the king.

Key Verses

• 2 Samuel 19:4: "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!" This is the best-known expression of David's anguish over the loss of his son.
• 2 Samuel 19:23: "Thou shalt not die." David spares the man who had cursed him, a decision that connects to later events in the narrative.
• 2 Samuel 19:43: "We have ten parts in the king." This verse exposes the tension between Judah and the other tribes.

Characters and Places

• David, Absalom
• Joab: commander of David's army
• Amasa: the former captain of Absalom's army
• Shimei: the Benjamite who cursed David during his flight
• Abishai: son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab
• Mephibosheth: grandson of Saul and son of Jonathan
• Ziba: a servant of the house of Saul
• Barzillai: a wealthy Gileadite who provided for David at Mahanaim
• Chimham: the man Barzillai sent in his place
• Jordan River, Gilgal

Points to Consider

• Mephibosheth and Ziba: Ziba had accused Mephibosheth in 16:1–4. The text does not decide which of the two was telling the truth. Interpreters are therefore divided between those who hold that Mephibosheth's account was true and those who think David withheld judgment and settled on a compromise.
• The oath concerning Shimei: David later charges Solomon to deal with Shimei (1 Kings 2:8–9). Interpretations differ on how this charge is to be reconciled with the oath. The same chapter also contains David's charge to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai (verse 7).
• Tribal conflict: The dispute in verses 41–43 leads directly into Sheba's rebellion in 2 Samuel 20. Some read it as a foreshadowing of the later division of the kingdom.
• The New Testament does not directly quote this chapter.