2 Samuel 19:18

2Sa 19:18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king’s household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;

Ver. 18. And there went over a ferry boat.] Ponto. This boat the tribe of Judah had sent before, and Shimei with his company followed it, to make his peace with the king.

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.

2Sa_19:18

There went over a ferry boat to carry over the kings household.

The ferry-boat of the Jordan

This river Jordan, in all ages and among all Christian people, has been the symbol of the boundary line between earth and heaven. I want to show you to-day that there is a way over Jordan as well as through it. My text says: And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the kings household.

I. My subject, in the first place, impresses me with the fact that when we cross over from this world to the next, the boat will have to come from the other side. The tribe of Judah, we are informed, sent this ferry boat across to bring David and his household. Blessed be God, there is a boat coming from the other side. Transportation at last for our souls from the other shore. Everything about this Gospel of Mercy from the other shore. Pardon from the other shore. Mercy from the other shore. Pity from the other shore. Ministry of angels from the other shore. Power to work miracles from the other shore. Jesus Christ from the other shore. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I bless God that as the boat came from the other shore to take David and his men across, so, when we come to die, the boat of salvation will come from the same direction. God forbid that I should ever trust to anything that starts from this side.

II. When we cross over at the last, the king will be on board the boat. The king was on board the boat, and those women and children, and all the household of the king, knew that every care was taken to have that king pass in safety. When a soul goes to heaven, it does not go alone. The King is on board the boat. Was Paul alone in the last exigency? Hear the shout of the scarred missionary, as he cries out, I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand. Was John Wesley alone in the last exigency? No. Hear him say: Best of all, God is with us. Here is the promise: When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Christ at the sick pillow to take the soul out of the body; Christ to help the soul down the bank into the boat; Christs mid stream; Christ on the other side to help the soul up the beach. Be comforted about your departed friends. Be comforted about your own demise when the time shall come. Tell it to all the people under the sun that no Christian ever dies alone. The King is in the boat.

III. My text suggests that leaving this world for heaven is only crossing a ferry. Doctor Shaw estimates the average width of the Jordan to be about thirty yards. What, so narrow! Yes. There went over a ferry-boat to carry over the kings household. Yes, going to heaven is only a short trip. Only a ferry. That accounts for something you have never been able to understand. You never could have supposed that very nervous and timid Christian people could be so perfectly unexcited and placid in the last hour. The fact is, they were clear down on the bank, and they saw there was nothing to be frightened about. Such a short distance--only a ferry! With one ear they heard the funeral psalm in their memory, and with the other they heard the song of heavenly salutation. The willows on this side the Jordan, and the Lebanon cedars on the other, almost interlocked their branches. Only a ferry!

IV. My subject also suggests the fact that when we cross over at the last, we shall find a solid landing. The ferry-boat, as spoken of in my text, means a place to start from, and a place to land. David and his people did not find the eastern shore of the Jordan any more solid than the western shore where he landed, and yet, to a great many, heaven is not a real place. I never heard of any heaven I want to go to except St. Johns heaven. I believe I shall hear Mr. Toplady sing vet, and Isaac Watts recite hymns, and Mozart play. O, you say, where would you get the organ? The Lord will provide the organ. I believe I shall yet see David with a harp, and I will ask him to sing one of the Songs of Zion. My heaven is not a fog-bank. My eyes are unto the hills--the everlasting hills. The Kings ferry-boat starting from a wharf on this side will go to a solid landing-place on the other side.

V. My subject teaches that when we cross over at the last, we will be met at the landing. When David and his family went over in the ferry-boat spoken of in the text, they landed amid a nation that had come out to greet them. As they stepped from the deck of the boat to the shore, there were thousands of people who gathered around them trying to express a satisfaction that was beyond description. And so you and I will be met at the landing. Our arrival will not be like stepping ashore at Antwerp or Constantinople among a crowd of strangers; it will be among friends--good friends, warm-hearted friends, and all their friends. The poet Southey said he thought he should know Bishop Heber in heaven by the portraits he had seen of him in London; and Dr. Randolph said he thought he should know William Cowper, the poet, in heaven from the pictures he had seen of him in England; but we shall know our departed kindred by the portraits hung in the throne-room of our hearts. On starlight nights you look up--and I suppose it is so with any one who has friends in heaven--and you cannot help but think of those who have gone; and I suppose they look down and cannot but think of us. But they have the advantage of us. We know not just where their world of joy is. They know where we are. O, what a consolation this ought to be to those whose friends have gone away--how it ought to take off the sharp edge of their melancholy. The partings of earth solaced by the reunions of heaven t (T. De Witt Talmage.)

The kings ferry boats

There have been few scenes on the Jordan more interesting than that in which this ferry boat plays a part.

I. The Kings ferry boat carries us across the Jordan of our condemnation, and brings us to the land of forgiveness. Shimei made his peace with David that day. He had been, in the time of Davids great emergency, when he needed soldiers, a base and wicked traitor. So I bring to any poor sinner here the Kings ferry boat, on which you may safely ride across the Jordan of your sins to the blessed shore of forgiveness; it is surrender to God and unconditional acceptance of Christ Jesus as your Saviour.

II. God carries His people across the river of their needs. Gods Word assures us that the Lord is not unmindful of the necessities of our human lives. Christ says: Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. The man who trusts God is a great deal better taken care of than he who proposes to neglect God and look out for number one. We shall never reach the limit of Gods infinite grace and mercy by our most exaggerated dreams of good. Does not Paul assure us that God will supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus? The one ferry boat that is sure to float you across the river of lifes need is a genuine, wholehearted Christianity.

III. The Kings ferry boat across the river of trouble and sorrow. How abundant are the promises of God that those who join His household shall be ferried safely across all the sorrows and troubles of life!

IV. We may see also in this figure our Kings ferry boat across the river of death. God does not leave his saints to die alone. Two days before Mr. Moodys death there was placed in his room, unknown to him, a stenographer, who took every word that fell from the good mans lips. And in the last moments he said: Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. You say this is death. There is nothing awful here; it is sweet, this place. Do not call me back. God is calling me, I must go. There is no valley here, it is all beautiful, beautiful. So Moody found, as millions of Gods people have found before, that the Kings ferry boat is roomy and splendid, and safe in carrying the Kings household across the Jordan of death to the shores of that beautiful country which eager hearts expect. The ferry boat will not be lonely in crossing any of these streams, for Christ is Captain, and there are no rules that keep us from speaking to him while he is on duty. We may hold sweet communion with him all the way. On the ferry boats which ply between Liverpool and the Cheshire side of the Mersey is the notice: Passengers are requested not to speak to the captain or steersman while crossing the river. (L. A. Banks, D. D.)

2Sa_19:18-23

And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king.

Characteristic forgiveness

One man will forgive a grievous wrong while another will not overlook a wry word. King John had most villainously treated his brother Richard in his absence. Was it likely that when he of the lions heart came home he would pass over his brothers offence? If you look at John, villain that he was, it was most unlikely that he should be forgiven; but then, if you consider the brave, high-souled Richard, the very flower of chivalry, you expect a generous deed. Base as John was, he was likely to be forgiven, because Richard was so free of heart, and accordingly pardon was right royally given by the great, hearted monarch. Had John only been half as guilty, if his brother Richard had been like himself, he would have made him lay his neck on the block. If John had been Richard and Richard had been John, no matter how small the offence, there would have been no likelihood of pardon at all. So it is in all matters of transgression and pardon. You must take the offence somewhat into account, it is true, but not one-half so much as the character of the person who has been offended. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

A wise king

Alphonsus, King of Naples and Sicily, justly celebrated in history for his leninecy and mercy, was once asked why he was so lenient to all, even the most wicked men. Because, said he, good men are won by justice, the bad by mercy. On another occasion some complained that he was too kind, even for a prince. What, then? cried the king; would you have lions and tigers to reign over you? Do you not know that cruelty is the property of wild beasts, mercy that of man?

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Sa 19:18-20. There went over a ferry-boat — Prepared, it is likely, by the men of Judah. Josephus says, it was a bridge, composed, perhaps, of many boats joined together. Shimei fell down before the king — That he might confess his guilt and perverseness, and implore forgiveness. Neither do thou remember that which thy servant did — So as to resent it deeply, and take revenge. Behold, I am come the first of all the house of Joseph — Shimei knew that a Benjamite, of the house of Saul, came but ill recommended to David under that character; and, therefore, he would not denominate himself from Benjamin, but from Joseph, his beloved brother.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

ferry boat--probably rafts, which are still used on that part of the river.

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

Verse 18. There went over a ferry-boat] This is the first mention of any thing of the kind. Some think a bridge or raft is what is here intended.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(18) As he was come over.—Rather, as he was coming over, as he was about to cross. Shimei and Ziba met the king on the east of Jordan, and his crossing is not spoken of until 2Sa_19:31-40.

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

18. And there went over a ferry-boat] And the ferry-boat was passing to and fro, placed at the service of the king by the men of Judah.

as he was come over Jordan] This probably means as David was crossing over the Jordan, i.e. during the general proceedings of the transit, not necessarily during the actual passage. Shimei seems to have crossed along with Ziba to meet the king on the eastern bank. David’s crossing is not mentioned till 2Sa_19:39.

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.

And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household,.... His wives and children, who could not so well ford the river on foot: some will have this to be a bridge of boats, a pontoon; and Abarbinel thinks it might be a company of men, who carried the women and children on their shoulders, one after another:

and to do what he thought good; to carry over whatever else the king pleased, besides his family:

and Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; or just as he was about to come over, when he came to Jordan to take the boat in order to come over; for he went over Jordan to meet him, and therefore would take the first opportunity of coming into his presence, and fall down before him, and make his submission to him.

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

As he was come over Jordan - Render, “when he was crossing,” i. e., just embarking for the purpose of crossing. The scene still lies on the east bank. Shimei left nothing undone to soften, if possible, David’s resentment.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Fords. Hebrew also, "they took over the ferry-boat;" (Calmet) or, "there went across a ferry-boat to carry over the," &c.

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).

A ferry boat, made by the men of Judah for the king’s proper use; besides which there were doubtless many boats ready for the use of others.

As he was come over Jordan, or rather, as he was passing, or about to pass, over Jordan; but this was beyond Jordan; for as he went over Jordan to the king, 2Sa 19:17, so doubtless he fell down before him at his first coming into his presence there.

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

18. A ferryboat — The original word (עברה) means some instrument used for conveying persons across the river, but the manner of its construction and the method of using it are uncertain. The Septuagint translates it by διαβασις, a bridge.

As he was come over Jordan — Rather, at his crossing over the Jordan; that is, when he was about to cross.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And there went over a ferry boat; more correctly, and the ferry boat kept crossing, went backwards and forwards to bring the king"s household over. Shimei fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan. If this translation were right, instead of fording the river, Shimei would have waited on the western bank. Some commentators do take this view, but it is contradicted by the latter part of ver. 17. Really the Hebrew words signify no more than "at his crossing the Jordan," that is, at some time or other during the passage. Shimei"s course was not only the boldest, but also the wisest. For, in the first place, his prompt surrender would commend itself to David"s generosity; and, secondly, had Abishai"s counsel been taken, it would have offended the thousand Benjamites who formed his escort, and also all the warriors present there from Israel (see ver. 40). Trouble and discontent would certainly have followed upon any attempt on David"s part to punish any of his enemies, and there might even have been armed resistance to his crossing.

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

They crossed the Yardein. They crossed it with their rafts.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.