2 Samuel 19:40-43
40 Now the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also half the people of Israel accompanied the king.
41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, abducted you and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him, over the Jordan?”
42 Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense, or has anything been taken for us?”
43 But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, “We have ten parts in the king, therefore we also have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not our advice first to bring back our king?” Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel.
Argument Between Judah and Israel
The people of Israel being late
In today’s passage, an unexpected argument arises. David crosses the Jordan River and proceeds to Gilgal on the western bank. Chimham, the son of Barzillai, is with him. To escort the king, all the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel are accompanying him. It seems the people of Israel did not act as quickly as those from Judah. (1) At that time, all the people of Israel came to David and raised a complaint. (2) They protested that the people of Judah were bringing David back to Jerusalem without consulting them. In other words, they were protesting that their presence had been disregarded. (3) In response, the people of Judah argued back. Their reasoning was that David was their relative, so it was only natural for them to be closely involved with him. (4) In contrast to Judah’s emphasis on kinship, the people of Israel asserted their superiority based on the number of tribes (ten tribes) and the fact that they were the first to speak of restoring David to the throne. (5) Thus, the dispute escalated into a heated argument. It was the people of Judah who raised their voices louder, but we should not assume that they held the stronger position. From a rational standpoint, the people of Israel had the better case. It was precisely because the people of Judah did not want to admit this that they felt compelled to shout louder than their opponents. In any argument, we should understand that the side raising its voice is often the one in the weaker position.
Lessons for us
Words have power. Especially words spoken in a harsh tone carry the power to bring about negative outcomes. Here too, the fierce words of the people of Judah only added fuel to the fire of the dispute. They could have chosen instead to speak quietly and gently. Even when we believe our position is justified, we must not speak with harsh words. Such speech only provokes anger in others and brings sorrow to God. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Let us make it our aim today to speak gentle answers.
Today's prayer
Almighty God, please help me to bring forth what is good from my heart through gentle words. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.