19:20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of {i} Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
(i) By Joseph he means Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin (of which he was) because those three were under one standard, Nu 2:18.
19:20 House of Joseph - The house of Joseph is here put for all the tribes, except Judah, which are fitly distinguished from Judah, because the rights of the first - born were divided between Judah and Joseph, 1Chron 5:2. And though Benjamin, after the division of the kingdoms was fitly joined with Judah, because then they adhered to that tribe; yet before that time it was joined with Joseph, because they marched under the standard of the house of Joseph, or of Ephraim, Numb 10:22,23,24. Whence it is, that Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, are put together, Psal 80:2.
19:16-23 Those who now slight and abuse the Son of David, would be glad to make their peace when he shall come in his glory; but it will be too late. Shimei lost no time. His abuse had been personal, and with the usual right feeling of good men, David could more easily forgive it.
