David’s Return to Jerusalem
In today’s passage, David is heading back to Jerusalem after the rebellion and death of his son Absalom.
2 Samuel 19: 15- 30 NLT
David’s Return to Jerusalem
15 So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David. 17 A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul, and Ziba’s fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king. 18 They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king’s household across the river, helping him in every way they could.
David’s Mercy to Shimei
As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. 19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel to greet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”
22 “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary today? This is not a day for execution, for today I am once again the king of Israel!” 23 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.
26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”
29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”
30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”
Examine the Scriptures
2 Samuel 19: 15- 30 NLT
David’s Return to Jerusalem
15 So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river.
- The location where David was escorted across the Jordan River is where Joshua had led the Israelites across the Jordan River, on dry ground, into the Promised Land?
Joshua 4:19 NLT
19 The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho.
David’s return is significant not just politically but symbolically—crossing the Jordan is reminiscent of Israel’s entry into the Promised Land. The tribe of Judah, David’s own tribe, takes the initiative to escort him, likely as a gesture of reconciliation after the rebellion, indicating a desire for stability and a return to the established order.
The exact location of Gilgal is uncertain.
Some of the people who greeted David:
16 Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David. 17 A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul (or the servant of Miphiboseth), and Ziba’s fifteen sons and twenty servants.
- Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin and Ziba were among those eager to welcome King David.
2 Samuel 16:1-4 NLT
David and Ziba (The chief servant of the house of Saul (or the servant of Miphiboseth)
16:1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth was waiting there for him. He had two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a wineskin full of wine.
2 “What are these for?” the king asked Ziba.
Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 “And where is Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson?” the king asked him.
“He stayed in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied. “He said, ‘Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.’”
4 “In that case,” the king told Ziba, “I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.”
“I bow before you,” Ziba replied. “May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king.”
More about Ziba in verse 27
2 Samuel 16:5-8 NLT
Shimei Curses David
5 As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. 6 He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. 7 “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. 8 “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”
They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king. 18 They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king’s household across the river, helping him in every way they could.
It appears that these men wanted to get on the good side of the king.
Shimei had actively opposed David,
Ziba had misled him (apparently), and later
Mephibosheth (v. 24) had not supported David.
- By forgiving these Benjamites, David would secure the support of this tribe.
King Saul had come from the tribe if Benjamin.
King David had come from the tribe of Judah.
David’s Mercy to Shimei
As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. 19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem.
May the king put it out of his mind.
20 I know how much I sinned.
Shimei pleads for forgiveness, admitting his offense. His confession appears sincere, though some view it as political expediency rather than genuine repentance.
- Shimei pleads for forgiveness
- Shimei’s confession may have been genuine, or it may simply have been an attempt to save his life.
That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel to greet my lord the king.”
21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”
Abishai was a powerful and successful warrior and a leader ibn David’s army.
He was David’s nephew and the brother of Joab.
Abishai was completely loyal to David and quick to suggest violence against David’s enemies.
Abishai wanted to assassinate Saul.
Abishai wanted to cut off Shimei head (16:9).
- Abishai believed that Shimei should die for cursing the Lord’s anointed king.
22 “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary today? This is not a day for execution, for today I am once again the king of Israel!”
- David wants this day to be a day of rejoicing.
- David shows a desire to unify the fractured nation rather than settle personal scores.
23 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”
David shows mercy to Shimei, the pro-Saul northerner who had cursed David when he fled from Jerusalem.
- Shimei’s life was spared until the time of David’s death.
David’s charge to Solomon
1 Kings 2:8-9 NLT
8 “And remember Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin. He cursed me (David) with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the Lord that I would not kill him. 9 But that oath does not make him innocent. You (Solomon) are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.”
(Verses 36-43 lead up to Shimei’s death)
44 The king (Solomon) also said to Shimei, “You certainly remember all the wicked things you did to my father, David. May the Lord now bring that evil on your own head. 45 But may I, King Solomon, receive the Lord’s blessings, and may one of David’s descendants always sit on this throne in the presence of the Lord.” 46 Then, at the king’s command, Benaiah son of Jehoiada took Shimei outside and killed him.
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.
An act of mourning.
25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.
26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.
Review: Previously David had given all of Saul’s estate to Ziba.
2 Samuel 16:3-4 NLT
3 “And where is Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson?” the king asked him.
“He stayed in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied. “He said, ‘Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.’”
4 “In that case,” the king told Ziba, “I give you everything Mephibosheth owns.”
“I bow before you,” Ziba replied. “May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king.”
28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”
Mephibosheth’s basic needs were being met.
Mephibosheth felt honored to be eating at King David’s table.
- Mephibosheth explains his reasons for not going with David when David fled from Jerusalem.
- There is no evidence that Mephibosheth wanted to get back the kingdom of his grandfather Saul.
29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”
David is faced with conflicting testimonies. He seems to acknowledge the possibility of Ziba’s deceit but opts for a compromise, dividing the land between them. This decision reveals David’s weariness and perhaps a degree of political pragmatism. He might be prioritizing a swift return to stability over a thorough investigation.
- Faced with conflicting testimonies from Ziba and Mephibosheth, David divided Saul’s estate equally between the two men.
David must navigate conflicting reports (as with Ziba and Mephibosheth) and determine how to reestablish unity without alienating factions. His decisions reveal both wisdom and ambiguity.
30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”
- Mephibosheth concern about David’s safety appears to be genuine.
This demonstrates Mephibosheth’s deep allegiance to David, showing loyalty over material gain.
Mephibosheth’s response underscores his deep loyalty to David and his relief at the king’s return, even at personal cost. This selfless act contrasts sharply with Ziba’s self-serving behavior.
Final thoughts:
David demonstrates grace and political wisdom. He chooses mercy over vengeance, especially during a sensitive time of national reunification.
David acts as a king seeking to reunite his people rather than punish rebels.
With limited information, David tries to act fairly, but human justice is shown to be fallible.
