15 So the king returned, and came to the Jordan. Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to bring the king over the Jordan.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
So the king returned, and came to Jordan,.... From Mahanaim thither, which according to Bunting (i) was twenty eight miles:
and Judah came to Gilgal; that is, the elders, or principal men of the tribe of Judah, came thither; which place, according to the same writer (k), was twelve miles from Jerusalem, and four from Jordan; and was the first place the Israelites came to when they passed that river in Joshua's time; but it seems to be rather more; See Gill on Joshua 2:1 and See Gill on Joshua 4:19,
to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan; but then they must proceed further on, for Gilgal seems to be live or six miles on this side Jordan.
(i) Travels, &c. p. 142. (k) Travels, &c. p. 142, 143.
Judah came to Gilgal--the most convenient place where preparations could be made for bringing the king and court over the Jordan.
Return of the king; and occurrences at the crossing of the Jordan. - 2-Samuel 19:15-23. Pardon of Shimei. - 2-Samuel 19:15, 2-Samuel 19:16. When David reached the Jordan on his return, and Judah had come to Gilgal "to meet him, to conduct the king over the Jordan," i.e., to form an escort at the crossing, Shimei the Benjaminite hastened down from Bahurim (see 2-Samuel 16:5.) with the men of Judah to meet David.
*More commentary available at chapter level.