v1-4: David had been clear before the battle, that Absalom's life should be preserved. He was deeply distressed that Absalom had died.

v5-8: Joab brought a word of rebuke to David. This was true in that his men had risked their lives. But it was untrue that David would have been pleased if his whole army had been killed, and Absalom survived. We see also Joab's concern to protect his own position, since David did not know who had killed Absalom.

Joab also put pressure on David, that his army would desert him. Even so, it may be that David did not act wisely, in making his troops ashamed.

David's response was to sit in the gateway to the city, where he could be seen. The people knew that it had not been his intention to have Absalom killed.

v9-10: Absalom's army, brought from throughout Israel, returned home. The people then began to argue about who should be king, since Absalom was dead. They began to realise the value of David, who had done so much for them; yet they had mistreated him, and had acted unwisely in allowing Absalom to become king.

v11-15: David had heard the rumours, but needed permission to return to Jerusalem. He apparently remained in exile for some time.

Amasa had been the leader of Absalom's army (17.25), and David wanted him to take Joab's place as commander of his army.

v16-20: Shimei returned to David with repentance, knowing David to be a man of mercy. His repentance was respected (v23).

v21: Abishai, like Joab, lacked David's spiritual character. He had picked up the phrase "the Lord's anointed" from David (1 Sam 24.6; 26.9; see also 1.14, 16) to justify his action.

v22-23: Abishai and Joab had become David's "adversaries", not because they opposed his rule, since they were loyal, but because their way of life was utterly different from David's.

David's promise to Shimei was clear, "You shall not die".

Abishai is a type of the law, which demands judgment and death. David, the type of Christ, rebukes him as his adversary. No one will die today.

v24-30: Mephibosheth met David. In 16.3, Ziba had apparently slandered Mephibosheth before David, and David had given Ziba his land (16.4). David now learned the full story, and offered to return the land. Mephibosheth's delight is simply that the king had returned; nothing else mattered to him.

v31-40: Barzillai the Gileadite was another faithful and generous supported for the king 17.27-29. David was grateful for his kindness, and offered to look after him in Jerusalem. Barzillai did not want to be a burden to David; his gratitude was seen in him sending his servant Kimham (Chimham) to serve David.

v41-43: There were fierce words between Judah and Israel. Here are the seeds of a divided kingdom.