40 So the king went over to Gilgal, and Chimham went over with him. All the people of Judah brought the king over, and also half the people of Israel.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Then the king went on to (r) Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of (s) Israel.
(r) Where the tribe of Judah waited to receive him.
(s) Who had taken the side of the king.
Then the king went on to Gilgal,.... Which, according to Josephus (n), was fifty furlongs from Jordan, six miles and a quarter:
and Chimham went on with him; after Barzillai had left them, and accompanied the king to Jerusalem:
and all the people of Judah conducted the king; to Jerusalem; who came to meet him, 2-Samuel 19:15,
and also half the people of Israel; or a part of them, as the word used signifies, and not always an equal half, so Kimchi observes; even such of Israel as went out with David at first, and the a thousand men of Benjamin that came to meet him, 2-Samuel 19:17.
(n) Antiqu. l. 5. c. 1. sect. 4.
The men of Israel though themselves despised, and the fiercer words of the men of Judah produced very bad effects. Much evil might be avoided, if men would watch against pride, and remember that a soft answer turneth away wrath. Though we have right and reason on our side, if we speak it with fierceness, God is displeased.
the king went on to Gilgal, . . . and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel--Whether from impatience to move on or from some other cause, David did not wait till all the tribes had arrived to conduct him on his return to the capital. The procession began as soon as Amasa had brought the Judahite escort, and the preference given to this tribe produced a bitter jealousy, which was nearly kindling a civil war fiercer than that which had just ended. A war of words ensued between the tribes--Israel resting their argument on their superior numbers; "they had ten parts in the king," whereas Judah had no more than one. Judah grounded their right to take the lead, on the ground of their nearer relationship to the king. This was a claim dangerous to the house of David; and it shows the seeds were already sown for that tribal dissension which, before long, led to the dismemberment of the kingdom.
Quarrel between Israel and Judah about the restoration of the king. - 2-Samuel 19:40. David went across to Gilgal (in the plain of the Jordan: Joshua 4:19), and Chimham (Chimhan is a modified form for Chimham: 2-Samuel 19:37) had gone over with him, and all the people of Judah had brought the king over (the Keri העבירוּ is an easier reading than the Chethib ויּעבירוּ, "and as for the people, they had," etc.), and also "half the people of Israel," namely, beside the thousand Benjaminites who came with Shimei (2-Samuel 19:17), other Israelites who dwelt in the neighbourhood.
Half - Whereas the men of Judah came entirely and unanimously to the king, the Israelites of the other tribe came in but slowly, and by halves, as being no less guilty of the rebellion, than the tribe of Judah; but not encouraged to come in by such a gracious message as they were. And this is here mentioned as the occasion both of the contention here following, and of the sedition, 2Sa. 20:1-22.
*More commentary available at chapter level.