King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 19:7 Mean?

2 Samuel 19:7 in the King James Version says “Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, t... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of thy servants

2 Samuel 19:7 · KJV


Context

5

And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;

6

In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well . in: Heb. By loving, etc that thou regardest: Heb. that princes or servants are not to thee

7

Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of thy servants

8

Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

9

And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Return, emphasizing restoration, leadership wisdom. David's return to Jerusalem requires political wisdom as he navigates competing factions. His restoration of enemies (Shimei) and reward of supporters demonstrates leadership discernment. Theological themes include wise leadership during restoration, the complexity of post-crisis reconciliation, balancing justice and mercy, and the necessity of moving forward despite ongoing tensions.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 19 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding restoration, leadership wisdom provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of restoration, leadership wisdom?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 29
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

ק֣וּם2 of 29

Now therefore arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יוֹצֵ֗א3 of 29

go forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְדַבֵּ֖ר4 of 29

and speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עַל5 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לֵ֣ב6 of 29

comfortably

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ7 of 29

unto thy servants

H5650

a servant

כִּי֩8 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בַֽיהוָ֨ה9 of 29

by the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נִשְׁבַּ֜עְתִּי10 of 29

for I swear

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

כִּֽי11 of 29
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵינְךָ֣12 of 29
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹצֵ֗א13 of 29

go forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אִם14 of 29
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יָלִ֨ין15 of 29

there will not tarry

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

אִ֤ישׁ16 of 29

one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אִתְּךָ֙17 of 29
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַלַּ֔יְלָה18 of 29

with thee this night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וְרָעָ֧ה19 of 29

and that will be worse

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

לְךָ֣20 of 29
H0
זֹ֗את21 of 29
H2063

this (often used adverb)

מִכָּל22 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽרָעָה֙23 of 29

unto thee than all the evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֲשֶׁר24 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּ֣אָה25 of 29

that befell

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֶ֔יךָ26 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִנְּעֻרֶ֖יךָ27 of 29

thee from thy youth

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

עַד28 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עָֽתָּה׃29 of 29
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 19:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 19:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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