2 Samuel 19:15

2Sa 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.

Ver. 15. And Judah came to Gilgal.] The rendezvous was there. But why were not the rest of the tribes acquainted therewith? Had not they first shown their forwardness to reduce David? and did not this neglect of them breed ill blood, and cause a quarrel? {2Sa 19:40-41} It is easier to stir strife than to stint it. Tostatus blameth David as overpartial to his own tribe.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Return of the king; and occurrences at the crossing of the Jordan. - Sa2 19:15-23. Pardon of Shimei. - Sa2 19:15, Sa2 19:16. When David reached the Jordan on his return, and Judah had come to Gilgal "to meet him, to conduct the king over the Jordan," i.e., to form an escort at the crossing, Shimei the Benjaminite hastened down from Bahurim (see Sa2 16:5.) with the men of Judah to meet David.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

19:15-23 On his return to Jerusalem, David showed mercy to Shimei, the pro-Saul northerner who had cursed David when he fled from Jerusalem (see 16:5-14), but Shimei’s action did not go unpunished (1 Kgs 2:8, 36-46).

19:15 Gilgal was an important city in the days of Samuel and Saul (see study note on 19:40; 1 Sam 7:16; 11:15).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Judah came to Gilgal--the most convenient place where preparations could be made for bringing the king and court over the Jordan.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(15) Judah came to Gilgal.—The two parties met at the Jordan, David coming from Mahanaim to the eastern side of the ford, near Jericho, and the representatives of the tribe of Judah to Gilgal on the opposite bank.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. to Gilgal] Gilgal, between Jericho and the Jordan, was the rendezvous for the representatives of Judah—probably the elders—who were sent to escort the king back to Jerusalem.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

So the king returned, and came to Jordan,.... From Mahanaim thither, which according to Bunting (i) was twenty eight miles:

and Judah came to Gilgal; that is, the elders, or principal men of the tribe of Judah, came thither; which place, according to the same writer (k), was twelve miles from Jerusalem, and four from Jordan; and was the first place the Israelites came to when they passed that river in Joshua's time; but it seems to be rather more; See Gill on Jos 2:1 and See Gill on Jos 4:19,

to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan; but then they must proceed further on, for Gilgal seems to be live or six miles on this side Jordan.

(i) Travels, &c. p. 142. (k) Travels, &c. p. 142, 143.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Galgal, and thence proceeded across the Jordan, (Calmet) an hour and a half’s walk. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

To attend upon the king in his passage over Jordan, and to furnish him with conveniences for his passage and journey. See below, 2Sa 19:41,42.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Gilgal. As Gilgal lay upon the west bank of the Jordan, (Jos_5:9) near Jericho and the fords, it was a convenient place for the elders of Judah to await there the king. During the crossing, two interesting events happened the meeting of Shimei and David, and the leave taking of Barzillai the Gileadite. Shortly afterwards came the apology of Mephibosheth but it is uncertain whether he was among those who had come to Gilgal to welcome the king.

David"s return to Jerusalem.

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; (2Sa_21:1) and finally (conducted by the men of Judah) to Jerusalem. (2Sa_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, (2Sa_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" (Psa_110:2, Psa_110:3) (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.

1. 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

2. 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).

1. 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.

2. 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 (2Sa_17:22) "This passage of the Jordan was the most memorable one since the days of Joshua.

3. The zealous emulation of the tribes. (Vers. 40-43.) Their strife for preeminence; "Ephraim envying Judah, and Judah vexing Ephraim", (Isa_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.

4. The complete establishment of the kingdom. (2Sa_20:3, 2Sa_20:22-26) He sees again the habitation of the Lord, (2Sa_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.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.