2 Samuel 19 9

2 Samuel 19:9 kjv

And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:9 nkjv

Now all the people were in a dispute throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king saved us from the hand of our enemies, he delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled from the land because of Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:9 niv

Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom;

2 Samuel 19:9 esv

And all the people were arguing throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies and saved us from the hand of the Philistines, and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.

2 Samuel 19:9 nlt

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.

2 Samuel 19 verses

2 Samuel 19 9 Meaning

2 Samuel 19:9 reveals the state of internal contention and deliberation among the Israelite tribes following Absalom's defeat. The people are engaged in debate, acknowledging David's historical role as their deliverer from external enemies, specifically the Philistines. They juxtapose this vital past service with his current flight from Absalom's rebellion, reflecting on the critical need for his return as king. This verse marks a significant turning point in public sentiment, signaling a shift back towards recognizing and desiring David's leadership.

2 Samuel 19 9 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Absalom's rebellion has been quelled and Absalom himself killed. David is in Mahanaim, east of the Jordan, mourning his son. Joab has just severely rebuked David for his public grief, which was disheartening to the victorious army. David, convinced, goes to the city gate to show himself to the people (2 Sam 19:1-8).

In this vacuum of leadership, and with Absalom no longer a contender, the focus shifts to David's return. The immediate historical context is the profound political instability after a devastating civil war. The broader context of David's reign involves his divinely chosen kingship, his victories establishing the kingdom, and the subsequent troubles within his own house, prophesied as consequences of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:10-12). The "strife" among the tribes reflects the nation coming to terms with the devastating cost of rebellion and the pragmatic realization that David, the legitimate and capable king, must be reinstated for stability.

2 Samuel 19 9 Word analysis

• And all the people: (וְכָל־הָעָם - vəḵāl-hāʿām) Emphasizes the widespread, almost national, sentiment. It indicates a broad collective deliberation, reflecting the opinions and concerns of the majority of the population across Israel.
• were at strife: (הִתְרוֹבֵב - hit'rōvāv) From the root riyb (רִיב), meaning "to contend," "to dispute," "to quarrel." Here, it signifies a deep internal debate or argument, a verbal contention rather than a physical fight. It denotes a vigorous and widespread discussion, perhaps heated, about David's return. It reveals the internal political and social turmoil within the nation as they grappled with their recent choices and future direction.
• throughout all the tribes of Israel: Reaffirms the universal nature of the discussion, emphasizing that this wasn't limited to one faction but permeated the entire nation. It highlights the democratic process (though not formally) of consensus-building or the dominant mood shifts among the confederated tribes.
• saying,: Introduces the collective reasoning and argument of the people.
• The king rescued us: (הִמְלִיטָנוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ - himal·lîṭānu hammělěḵə) From mālaṭ (מָלַט), "to escape," "to deliver." This highlights David's active role as a deliverer, specifically implying saving from imminent danger or destruction. It's a recognition of his past vital acts for the nation's survival.
• from the hand of our enemies,: A common biblical idiom signifying deliverance from the power or control of an oppressor. It emphasizes a complete salvation from subjugation or harm.
• and he saved us: (וְהוֹשִׁיעָנוּ - vəhôšîʿānû) From yāšaʿ (יָשַׁע), "to save," "to deliver," "to liberate," often with a more comprehensive sense of salvation or making safe. It implies not just escape from immediate danger but bringing to a place of security and prosperity. It underscores David's broader impact as a provider of peace and security.
• from the hand of the Philistines;: The Philistines were the archetypal, most formidable, and perennial enemy of Israel during the period of the judges and early monarchy. Explicitly mentioning them lends significant weight to David's past heroics and his indispensable role in securing Israel's borders and very existence. This recalls David's definitive victory over Goliath and subsequent campaigns, which defined his initial popularity and rise.
• and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom: (וְעַתָּה בָּרַח מִן־הָאָרֶץ מִפְּנֵי אַבְשָׁלֹם - wəʿat·tāh bārāḥ min-hāʾāreṣ mip·pənê ʾavəšālōm) bārāḥ (בָּרַח) means "to flee," "to escape," implying a hasty, urgent departure under duress. This starkly contrasts David's past image as a mighty deliverer with his recent vulnerability and forced exile due to his own son's rebellion. It reveals the nation's struggle to reconcile these two opposing realities of their king. The phrase now (וְעַתָּה) serves as a dramatic temporal shift, highlighting the immediate and pressing issue.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies, and he saved us from the hand of the Philistines;": This phrase powerfully evokes David's glorious past and essential contributions to Israel's national security and well-being. It serves as a reminder of his legitimate claims to kingship, based on divine anointing and demonstrated capacity to protect the nation from its existential threats. The use of "rescued" and "saved" emphasizes both immediate danger and lasting security.
• "and now he has fled out of the land from Absalom.": This contrasting statement highlights the precariousness of their current situation and the perceived weakness of their anointed king. It presents the tension between David's divinely appointed role and the human consequences of his and his family's actions, leading to internal strife. It encapsulates the paradox the people are wrestling with: how their strong, God-ordained king could be driven away by his own son.

2 Samuel 19 9 Bonus section

• The phrasing indicates a shift from Absalom's supporters recognizing David's legitimacy, driven by practical need for a stable king. The civil war had caused significant disruption, and a stable ruler was paramount.
• This "strife" can also be seen as a necessary part of a democratic-ish system in early Israel, where popular consent played a role alongside divine appointment. The people had to 'buy-in' to David's return.
• The emphasis on "Philistines" reminds the audience of David's core national purpose and unique qualification: saving Israel from external oppression, something Absalom had not and could not offer.
• This verse sets the stage for the narrative of David's complex return and the re-establishment of his authority, which faced further challenges. It foreshadows the tribal divisions that would continue to plague Israel.

2 Samuel 19 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 19:9 serves as a crucial turning point, revealing the pragmatic and evolving sentiment of the Israelite population after the devastating civil war initiated by Absalom. Having been swayed by Absalom's charismatic rebellion, the tribes now confront the reality of David's absence and the subsequent leadership vacuum. The "strife" among them signifies a heated, widespread debate and an urgent process of re-evaluation. They candidly recall David's past heroics—how he "rescued" and "saved" them, especially from the Philistines, Israel's long-standing and most formidable enemy. This memory implicitly acknowledges God's empowering presence with David in those past triumphs.

However, they immediately juxtapose these vital services with the stark present reality: their deliverer is now a fugitive, driven from the land by his own son. This internal tension fuels their discussion. The verse demonstrates that while human loyalty can be fickle and swayed by momentary charisma or dissatisfaction, a true reckoning eventually occurs, recognizing essential and enduring leadership, especially one validated by past acts of salvation and divine appointment. The people's internal contention ultimately leads to the conclusion that stability and genuine security for the nation depended on the restoration of their divinely chosen and proven king, David.