Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 19

Verse 1

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 3

as = according as.

Verse 4

covered his face . Symbol of mourning. Occurs only here.

my son . . . my son . Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 . Compare 2 Samuel 18:33 .

Verse 5

life . . . lives = soul. . . souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 and note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

Verse 6

declared = made clear.

Verse 7

Now. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), to emphasise the completeness of Joab's reasoning.

comfortably . Hebrew ` al-leb, to the heart. Compare Isaiah 40:2 .

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 8

Israel. Note this name for Absalom's forces (2 Samuel 17:24 , 2 Samuel 17:26 ; 2 Samuel 18:6 , 2 Samuel 18:7 ).

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

rdrt

Verse 10

the king. Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis ( App-6 ), "bringing back the king. And the king".

Verse 13

Art . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

my bone , &c. : i.e. my near relation = my nephew (2 Samuel 17:20 ). Son of David's sister Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:17 .)

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 15

Gilgal . Here Samuel renewed the kingdom. 1 Samuel 11:14 . Compare Joshua 5:9 ; Joshua 9:6 ; Joshua 10:6 . 1 Samuel 7:16 ; 1 Samuel 15:33 .

to go . Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "to go down". Compare 2 Samuel 19:20 .

Verse 16

Shimei . Compare 2 Samuel 16:5

a = the Evidently a prominent Benjamite.

Verse 19

iniquity . Hebrew. ` avah. App-44 .

Verse 20

Joseph . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for the two tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh), or for the ten tribes, Israel (Amos 6:6 , Amo 6:15 ; Amos 6:6 . Obadiah 1:18 . Zechariah 10:6 ). Compare 2 Samuel 19:43 . In Psalms 80:1 with Psalms 81:5 , Joseph is put for the twelve tribes.

Verse 21

Abishai. Always impetuous. 1 Samuel 26:8 ; 1 Samuel 16:9 .

Verse 22

What have I to do . . . ? See note on 2 Samuel 16:10 .

adversaries . Hebrew Satan.

shall . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

for do not I . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 24

son = grandson.

neither dressed , &c. A symbol and proof of great grief:

Verse 26

I will saddle . Septuagint reads "Saddle for me the ass". A command which Ziba disobeyed, and went off himself instead. But was there only one ass in Jerusalem? See note on 2 Samuel 19:29

to = with.

Verse 28

For all , &c. Some codices, 'with one early printed edition, read "When in all the house of my father were none other than dead men".

dead men . Hebrew men of death: i.e. doomed men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

What right . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), to emphasise the free grace of David.

Why speakest . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-8 ), to show dissatisfaction with Mephibosheth's defence. Hence his division of Saul's estate. See note on 2 Samuel 19:26 .

Verse 29

I have said . Compare 2 Samuel 9:10 . David Revelation 16:4 , and falls back on 2 Samuel 9:10 .

Thou and Ziba . Compare 2 Samuel 16:4 .

the land : i.e. Saul's estate.

Verse 30

forasmuch = now that.

Verse 34

How long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 35

can . . . ? . . . can . . . ? Figure of speech Anaphora. App-6 .

evil . Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 40

all . . . half . A whole-hearted act on the part of Judah: and a half-hearted act on the part of Israel. This explains what follows.

Verse 41

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .