2 Samuel 19 40

2 Samuel 19:40 kjv

Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

2 Samuel 19:40 nkjv

Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. And all the people of Judah escorted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

2 Samuel 19:40 niv

When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over.

2 Samuel 19:40 esv

The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him. All the people of Judah, and also half the people of Israel, brought the king on his way.

2 Samuel 19:40 nlt

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.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 40 Meaning

This verse details a specific moment in King David's return journey after Absalom's rebellion. It describes David's arrival at Gilgal, accompanied by Chimham (son of Barzillai), and highlights the diverse composition of his welcoming party: all the people of Judah, David's loyal tribe, were present, alongside only half the people of Israel, indicating a lingering division among the tribes in their allegiance to the king.

2 Samuel 19 40 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in David's reign, immediately following the collapse of Absalom's rebellion and David's flight from Jerusalem. Having crossed the Jordan River from Mahanaim, where he found refuge, David is now making his way back to his capital. The preceding verses (2 Sam 19:15-39) describe significant events surrounding this return: the complex dealings with Shimei, who cursed David during his flight but now seeks forgiveness, and David's gracious response; the elderly Barzillai's decision not to return to Jerusalem but to send his son Chimham instead, whom David promised to care for. The political atmosphere is thick with tension and reconciliation efforts, as different factions try to regain favor with the restored king. This verse marks David's arrival at Gilgal, a historically significant site, signifying his return to central Israelite territory and setting the stage for his re-entry into Jerusalem, amidst the palpable divisions between Judah and the northern tribes of Israel that would continue to simmer and eventually erupt.

2 Samuel 19 40 Word analysis

• So the king: Refers to David. The "king" (Hebrew: הַמֶּלֶךְ, ha-melek) signifies David's re-established authority, affirmed by the return of the people to him, albeit not yet universally.
• went on: (Hebrew: וַיַּעֲבֹר, wa-yaʿăvor, from the root עָבַר, avar – to pass over, to cross). This verb denotes movement across a boundary or through a place. Here, it signifies David's progression from beyond the Jordan into the land west of the river, entering the territory recognized as central Israel.
• to Gilgal: (Hebrew: הַגִּלְגָּל, Ha-Gilgal). A strategically and historically profound site. It was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan (Jos 4:19), where the reproach of Egypt was "rolled away" (Jos 5:9) through circumcision, symbolizing renewed covenant with God. It was also a key location for Saul's anointing as king and subsequently his rejection (1 Sam 11, 13). Its mention here symbolizes David's re-establishment, a new beginning after the rebellion, but also carries echoes of previous kingship triumphs and failures.
• and Chimham: (Hebrew: וְכִמְהָם, wĕKîmhām). The son of Barzillai the Gileadite. His presence fulfills the promise David made to Barzillai (2 Sam 19:37-38). This shows David's loyalty, gratitude, and a reciprocal act of care, strengthening alliances formed during the rebellion.
• went on with him: (Hebrew: עָבַר עִמּוֹ, avar ‘immô – crossed over with him/went with him). Chimham's accompanying David signifies a formal handover of Barzillai's pledged loyalty and service.
• and all the people of Judah: (Hebrew: וְכָל עַם יְהוּדָה, wĕḵol ‘am Yehûḏāh). David's own tribe, who remained largely unwavering in their loyalty during Absalom's rebellion. Their presence as "all" the people underscores their solidarity and singular devotion to David. They are portrayed as proactive in David's restoration.
• brought the king over: (Hebrew: הֶעֱבִירוּ אֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ, he‘ĕvîrû ’eṯ ha-melek – literally, "caused the king to cross" or "helped the king cross over"). This highlights their active participation and initiative in his restoration. They were not merely present; they facilitated his journey and reintegration.
• and also half the people of Israel: (Hebrew: וְגַם חֲצִי יִשְׂרָאֵל, wĕḡam ḥăṣî Yiśrā’ēl – and also half of Israel). This is a crucial phrase. "Half" (חֲצִי, ḥăṣî) implies incomplete or fractured allegiance. It distinguishes the other tribes (the northern kingdom in a foreshadowing sense) from Judah. While many sided with Absalom, now at least half have returned to support David, reflecting a move towards national unity, but also foreshadowing the deep-seated rivalry between Judah and Israel that would ultimately split the kingdom. "People of Israel" refers to the tribes other than Judah and Benjamin.

• "The king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him": This phrase emphasizes the procession and David's return to sacred territory, legitimizing his kingship after the challenge. The presence of Chimham exemplifies David's honorable character in fulfilling promises.
• "all the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel": This distinction is central. It underlines the strong, unwavering loyalty of Judah (David's own tribe) contrasted with the more hesitant and partial return of the other Israelite tribes. It reveals the fragile political landscape David was navigating and sets the stage for the further tribal disputes found in the immediate following verses of 2 Samuel 19 and 20.

2 Samuel 19 40 Bonus section

The journey to Gilgal from beyond the Jordan involved passing through a symbolic 'liminal' space for David. It mirrors the Israelites' initial entry into the promised land through Gilgal, a place of transition, purification, and reaffirmation of identity. For David, it signifies a new beginning for his reign, purged of the rebellion's immediate taint. The mention of "half" of Israel underscores the unresolved tensions. It's not a unified return of all twelve tribes but a cautious reconciliation from only a portion, leaving the seeds of future rebellion (like Sheba's in 2 Samuel 20) to sprout from this still-divided loyalty. The intense rivalry described later in 2 Samuel 19:41-43, where Judah and Israel quarrel over their claims to the king, illustrates that David's immediate problem after the rebellion was not merely subduing his enemies but uniting a fractious nation. His careful approach and evenhandedness are tested by the deep-seated tribal resentments.

2 Samuel 19 40 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:40 captures the delicate political and emotional climate of David's restoration to the throne following Absalom's rebellion. David's movement to Gilgal is highly symbolic, positioning his return within the historical framework of Israel's foundational moments of covenant renewal and early kingship. The inclusion of Chimham highlights David's personal character, his faithfulness to a pledge, and the establishment of reciprocal loyalty essential for stable governance. Crucially, the verse contrasts the complete allegiance of Judah, David's consistent power base, with the partial, tentative return of "half the people of Israel." This numerical division reflects not just a geographical separation but the enduring tribal jealousies and power struggles that would plague David's reign and ultimately lead to the kingdom's fragmentation after Solomon. It demonstrates David's strategic re-engagement with his fractured nation, attempting to unify, but revealing the deep-seated divisions that were far from resolved by the rebellion's end. The verse, therefore, speaks to God's continued restoration of His anointed king, even amid persistent human sin, fractured relationships, and lingering disunity.