Justin Houtz

2 Samuel 19-20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

DateVersionReading Plan
May 11, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

2 Samuel 19

Observation & Interpretation

Following the death of David’s son, Absalom, Joab was told that the king was grieving over the loss of his son (v. 1). Even though they had achieved victory, the people mourned when they heard that David was grieving over his son (v. 2). David continued to cry out in lament over the loss of his son and Joab told David that he had covered with shame all his servants who had saved his life, saying that David would be pleased if Absalom was still alive and they were all dead (v. 5-6). David then took his seat in the gate the people came before him (v. 8).

Israel had fled to their own homes and were arguing over how David had delivered them out of the hand of the Philistines (v. 8b-9). They asked why nothing was being done to bring David back since Absalom, whom they anointed was now dead (v. 10). “When David heard that the ten tribes of Israel were talking about restoring him to the throne, he sent two priests to the elders of Judah, asking why they, his blood relatives, were the last to bring him back as king. Judah had supported Absalom heavily in the rebellion, and doubtless some resentment or fear lingered.” (BBC)

Shimei, the Benjaminite along with a thousand men and Ziba with his fifteen sons and twenty servants came to the Jordan before David (v. 16-17). Shimei addressed David before he crossed the Jordan and asked David not to be held guilty or remember the wrong he did the day David left Jerusalem (v. 19). “Shimei’s profuse apology was probably insincere; his great desire was to escape punishment now that David was in power again.” (BBC) Abishai asked that Shimei be put to death because he cursed the Lord’s anointed (v. 20). David told Shimei that he would not be put to death and gave him his oath (v. 23).

Mephibosheth, son of Saul, came down to meet David, having neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard from the day David departed to the day he returned in safety (v. 24). When Mephibosheth met the king, David asked him why he did not go with him (v. 25). In defense, Mephibosheth told David that Ziba had deceived him (v. 26a). “Mephibosheth explained that he had asked his servant Ziba to saddle a donkey, and when Ziba had failed to do it, Mephibosheth was helpless, being a cripple. He stated frankly that Ziba had slandered him but that injustice did not matter as long as the king had returned.” (BBC)

Barzillai had also come down from Rogelim and went on with David to the Jordan to escort him (v. 31). Barzillai was a wealthy, aged man who had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim (v. 32). David told Barzillai to join him over the Jordan and that he would provide for Barzillai (v. 21). “But Barzillai refused to go on the grounds of his short life expectancy, his inability to discern between what was pleasant and unpleasant, his loss of taste, and his deafness. He would only be a further burden to … the king if he went.” (BBC) Barzillai asked that he be allowed to return to die in his own city near the grave of his father and mother, offering his servant, Chimham, to join David over the Jordan instead (v. 37). David agreed that Barzillai would stay and Chimham would go over with him and David and all the people went over the Jordan (v. 38-39). David went on to Gilgal and Chimham with him. All of the people of Judah and half the people of Israel brought David on his way (v. 40).

All of the men of Israel then came out to the king and ask why Judah had stolen David and brought him along with his house over the Jordan (v. 41). All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel that this had been done because David was their close relative (v. 42). The men of Israel again retorted that they had ten shares in David and had done ten times more than Judah, saying that they were the first to mention of bringing David back. However, Judah prevailed in the disagreement as their words were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel (v. 43)

Application

After there was victory and Absalom had died, there was dissension in the ranks over those who remained and had been on different sides. The strife played out in accusations, excuse-making and a host of other manifestations of infighting. We sin in these interactions both the egregiousness and pervasiveness of sin but also the work the LORD was doing through it to establish David’s kingship. Great is our sin, but far greater is our LORD and His ability to showcase His glory amidst such brokenness. This is the splendor of our gracious and sovereign God, the One who is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine.

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