Wesley Corpus

Chapter XIX Joab prevails on David to refrain, ver. 1 - 8. He is brought back to his kingdom by the men of Judah, ver. 9 - 15. Pardons Shimei, ver. 16 - 23. Restores to Mephibosheth his estate, ver. 24 - 30. Barzillai is dismissed, and his son taken into David's service, ver. 31 - 40. The Israelites expostulate with the men of Judah, ver. 41 - 43. By stealth - Not openly and triumphantly, as conquerors use to do; but secretly, as if they were afraid and ashamed, lest David should see them, and look upon them with an evil eye, as those that had an hand in killing of his beloved son. Hast shamed - By disappointing their just hopes of praises and rewards, and by requiting them with contempt and tacit rebukes. Pleased thee - This is not be understood as exactly true; but David's carriage gave too much colour to such a suggestion; and such sharpness of speech was in a manner necessary to awaken the king out of his lethargy, and to preserve him from the impendent mischiefs. At strife - Quarrelling one with another as the authors or abettors of this shameful rebellion, and discoursing privately and publickly of David's high merits, which God, being now reconciled to David, brings afresh to their memories. Now therefore - The people of Israel speak thus to the elders of Israel, as appears by comparing this verse with the next. Seeing their designs for Absalom disappointed, they now repented of that undertaking, and were willing to testify so much by their forwardness to bring back David, and re - establish him. Judah - Who being the abettors of Absalom's rebellion, despaired of pardon, and therefore were backward to promote the king's restoration. His house - Even to Mahanaim, where now the king's house and family is. Of Joab - Who, besides his other crimes, had lately exasperated the king by his murder of Absalom, contrary to David's express command. And therefore the king having now the opportunity of another person who had a greater interest than Joab, gladly complies with it, that so he might both chastise Joab for his faults, and rescue himself from the bondage in which Joab had hitherto held him. He bowed - David by this prudent and kind message and his free offer of pardon.