David’s Return to Jerusalem (after Absalom’s rebellion).
Introduction:
1st and 2nd Samuel
The story of Israel’s transition from the time of the judges to the rise of the Monarchy.
The story of:
Samuel
Israel demanding a king
Saul’s rise and fall
David’s reign – his success, sins, family tragedies, and God’s covenant with him.
Civil wars and conflicts in Israel.
2 Samuel 19: 31-43 NLT
David’s Return to Jerusalem (after Absalom’s rebellion).
David’s Kindness to Barzillai
31 Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. 32 He was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. 33 “Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.”
34 “No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. 35 I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. 36 Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! 37 Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him.”
38 “Good,” the king agreed. “Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed Barzillai and kissed him, Barzillai returned to his own home.
40 The king then crossed over to Gilgal, taking Kimham with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king on his way.
The Quarrel between Judah and Israel
41 But all the men of Israel complained to the king, “The men of Judah stole the king and didn’t give us the honor of helping take you, your household, and all your men across the Jordan.”
42 The men of Judah replied, “The king is one of our own kinsmen. Why should this make you angry? We haven’t eaten any of the king’s food or received any special favors!”
43 “But there are ten tribes in Israel,” the others replied. “So we have ten times as much right to the king as you do. What right do you have to treat us with such contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again?” The argument continued back and forth, and the men of Judah spoke even more harshly than the men of Israel.
Examine the Scriptures
2 Samuel 19: 31-43 NLT
David’s Return to Jerusalem (after Absalom’s rebellion).
Quick review:
Absalom conspires against David.
David flees Jerusalem.
Absalom enters Jerusalem.
Absalom pursues David
Absalom’s defeat and death.
David’s return to power.
David’s Kindness to Barzillai
31 Barzillai of Gilead
Gilead was part of Manasseh’s territory on the east side of the Jordan.
When the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh received territory to the east of the Jordan. Their inheritance was largely comprised of the land of Gilead. Gad received “all the towns of Gilead”. (Joshua 13:24-25)
In some passages of Scripture, the terms Gilead and Gad are used interchangeably. (Got Questions)
had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan.
It was located in Gilead, east of the Jordan River (2 Samuel 17:27).
27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim.
The exact site is uncertain today, but it was likely in the territory of Gad, near Mahanaim (where David stayed during his exile).
32 He was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim.
Barzillai of Gilead had provided David with supplies when he was staying at Mahanaim.
During David’s exile, he provided food and support (2 Sam. 17:27–29). His loyalty in crisis demonstrates true friendship and covenant faithfulness.
An aged wealthy benefactor of David, yet very little is known about him.
2 Samuel 17:27-29 NLT
27 When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim. 28 They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, 29 honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.”
33 “Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.”
- David acknowledged Barzillai of Gilead for his loyalty, generosity, friendship, and faithfulness.
- Grateful to the 80-year-old for all his goodness, David invited Barzillai to move to Jerusalem where he would take care of him for the remainder of his life.
34 “No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. 35 I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king.
Some things are no longer important to an 80 year old.
He cannot enjoy royal pleasures—feasting, singing, and court life. His humility shows wisdom: he is content to live quietly, near his family, and die in his hometown.
36 Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! 37 Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried.
- Barzillai preferred to live out his days in his own land.
But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him.”
- Barzillai suggested that his son (or close servant) go in his place and receive what David was offering to him.
38 “Good,” the king agreed. “Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want.”
- David was more than willing to help out the son of Barzillai.
David’s final instructions to Solomon.
1 Kings 2:7 NLT
7 “Be kind to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead. Make them permanent guests at your table, for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
39 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed Barzillai and kissed him, Barzillai returned to his own home.
David honors Barzillai’s request and publicly kisses him (a sign of deep affection and respect). Barzillai departs, while Kimham joins David. This shows David’s generosity and his ability to honor faithful supporters.
40 The king then crossed over to Gilgal, taking Kimham with him.
A politically significant location.
This is where the people had proclaimed Saul king (1 Samuel 11:15) and Samuel later announced the end of Saul’s reign (1 Samuel 13:13-15).
- David and the people who were with him at that time cross over the Jordan River to Gilgal.
- David’s kingship has a new beginning at Gilgal.
All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king on his way.
It appears that the men of Judah, David’s own tribe, take the lead in bringing him back across the Jordan.
- It appears that David left Mahanaim and came to the Jordan without allowing time for all the Northern tribes to come and accompany him across the Jordan River.
At Gilgal, David and his entourage were met by a throng of citizens from both Judah and Israel.
The Quarrel between Judah and Israel
Rising tensions among the tribes of Israel.
41 But all the men of Israel complained to the king, “The men of Judah stole the king and didn’t give us the honor of helping take you, your household, and all your men across the Jordan.”
- The men of Israel (the northern tribes) feel slighted, accusing Judah of monopolizing David. They claim equal rights to him as their king. The complaint highlights simmering tribal rivalries.
It seems that David left Mahanaim and came to the Jordan without allowing time for all the Northern tribes to come and accompany him across the Jordan River.
Apparently the men of Judah did not wait for the men of Israel help to escort David and his men across the Jordan River.
42 The men of Judah replied, “The king is one of our own kinsmen. Why should this make you angry? We haven’t eaten any of the king’s food or received any special favors!”
- The men of Judah argues that since David is from their tribe, it was natural for them to take the lead. They insist they gained no special benefit.
43 “But there are ten tribes in Israel,” the others replied. “So we have ten times as much right to the king as you do.
Their thinking was that 10 tribes should be more important to the king than 1 tribe. (or Judah and Simeon)
Israel claims a larger share (ten tribes versus Judah), insisting their rights outweigh Judah’s.
- The dispute grows heated, foreshadowing the eventual split of the kingdom under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12).
Remember, it was God’s plan for David to be the King of Israel.
2 Samuel 3:17-18 NLT
17 Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now is the time! For the Lord has said, ‘I have chosen David to save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’”
2 Samuel 5:2 NLT
2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
What right do you have to treat us with such contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again?”
Background:
2 Samuel 19:9-15 NLT
9 And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. 10 Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?”
11 Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready. 12 You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?” 13 And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.”
14 Then Amasa convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.”
The argument continued back and forth, and the men of Judah spoke even more harshly than the men of Israel.
- The schism between Israel and Judah was becoming more pronounced.
Remember how this all started:
2 Samuel 15:2-6 NLT
2 He (Absalom) got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. 3 Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. 4 I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”
5 When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. 6 Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.
2 Samuel 16:15 NLT
15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel.
This dispute reflects the roots of the division that eventually split Judah and Israel into separate nations.
Relationships do not improve in chapter 20.
