Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 19:14
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent [this word] unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
14. And he bowed, &c.] By this message David inclined the hearts of the men of Judah to restore him to the throne.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah] The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be to accomplish this salutary end. Appear to distrust those whom you have some reason to suspect, and you increase their caution and distrust. Put as much confidence in them as you safely can, and this will not fail to excite their confidence towards you.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He; either, first, Amasa, by his great influence upon them. Or rather, secondly, David, by his prudent and kind message, and his free offer of pardon and favour to them, as if they had never offended.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. he bowed the heart of all themen of Judahthat is, Amasa, who had been won over, used hisgreat influence in re-attaching the whole tribe of Judah to theinterest of David.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man,…. This the Jewish commentators generally understand of Amasa that he used his interest with the men of Judah, and so wrought upon them, that they agreed as one man to send for the king, and bring him back; but it seems best to understand it of David, who by these gentle methods, kind messages, and affectionate speeches, powerfully inclined and engaged the hearts of the people towards him; so that they were unanimously and affectionately agreed to restore him: in this way David chose to return; he could have come without their leave, or any invitation from them, as he was their lawful king, and a victorious one, the rebellion being crushed; and had it in his power to chastise those concerned in it, and use them with severity; but he chose rather to gain the hearts of his people, and to come in a way peaceable to them, and honourable to himself:
so that they sent [this word] unto the king, return thou and all thy servants; perhaps by the same messengers that David sent; or it may be, rather for honour’s sake they deputed some of their principal men to wait on David, and invite him to return to them with all his retinue and army, promising allegiance and fidelity to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Thus he (David) inclined the heart of all the people as of one man, and they sent to the king, saying, “Return thou, with all thy servants.” The result of David’s message to the priests is given summarily here. The subject to is David, not Amasa or Zadok. So far as the fact itself is concerned, it was certainly wise of David to send to the members of his own tribe, and appeal to them not to be behind the rest of the tribes in taking part in his restoration to the kingdom, lest it should appear as though the tribe of Judah, to which David himself belonged, was dissatisfied with his victory, since it was in that tribe that the rebellion itself first broke out; and this would inevitably feed the jealousy between Judah and the rest of the tribes. But it was not only unwise, but unjust, to give to Amasa, the traitor-general of the rebels, a promise on oath that he should be commander-in-chief in the place of Joab; for even if the promise was only given privately at first, the fact that it had been given could not remain a secret from Joab very long, and would be sure to stir up his ambition, and lead him to the commission of fresh crimes, and in all probability the enmity of this powerful general would become dangerous to the throne of David. For however Joab might have excited David’s anger by slaying Absalom, and by the offensive manner in which he had reproved the king for giving way to his grief, David ought to have suppressed his anger in his existing circumstances, and ought not to have rendered evil for evil, especially as he was not only about to pardon Amasa’s crime, but even to reward him as one of his faithful servants.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
14. Bowed the heart Affected them so powerfully by his appeal as to win all hearts to himself, and cause the whole tribe to rise as one man to his rescue and restoration.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(14) And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. (15) So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.
LORD JESUS, do thou bow the hearts of thy people, as the heart of one man; then shall we welcome thee, and thy servants, thy ministers to our churches, to our hearts, to our houses, when thou hast made us willing in the day of thy power! Psa 110:3 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 19:14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as [the heart of] one man; so that they sent [this word] unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
Ver. 14. And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah. ] David did: so doth God bow and draw the hearts of his elect, by motions of mercy, and proffers of pardon upon their return unto him. See Isa 55:7-8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he bowed: The measures that he pursued were the best calculated that could be adopted for accomplishing this salutary end. David appears to take no notice of their infidelity, but rather to place confidence in them, that their confidence in him might be naturally excited; and to oblige them yet farther, purposes to make Amasa general of the army, instead of Joab.
even: Jdg 20:1, Psa 110:2, Psa 110:3, Act 4:32
Reciprocal: 2Sa 3:12 – my hand 2Sa 19:43 – our advice 2Sa 22:44 – delivered
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 19:14-15. He bowed the heart of all the men of Judah This prudent and friendly message and free offer of pardon to them, and this kind treatment of the captain of the hostile host, and all his rebel adherents, had all the effect David could hope for; it touched their hearts, and melted them into loyalty and affection. They sent this word unto the king, Return thou, &c. They immediately deputed the heads of their tribe to wait upon him, and invite him to return. So the king returned He immediately complied with their request, and began his progress toward Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal David had not gone far before the principal persons of the whole tribe met him in a body, to conduct him over the river.