We left David's army in triumph and yet David himself in tears: now here we have, I. His return to himself, by the persuasion of Joab, ver. 1-8. II. His return to his kingdom from his present banishment. 1. The men of Israel were forward of themselves to bring him back, ver. 9, 10. 2. The men of Judah were dealt with by David's agents to do it (ver. 11-14) and did it, ver. 15. III. At the king's coming over Jordan, Shimei's treason is pardoned (ver. 16-23), Mephibosheth's failure is excused (ver. 24-30), and Barzillai's kindness is thankfully owned, and recompensed to his son, ver. 31-39. IV. The men of Israel quarrelled with the men of Judah, for not calling them to the ceremony of the king's restoration, which occasioned a new rebellion, an account of which we have in the next chapter, ver. 40-43.
Joab's Reproof of David. (b. c. 1023.)