And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
2 SAMUEL 19:42KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 19:42 mean?
2 Samuel 19:42 records the men of Judah responding to the men of Israel by explaining that King David is closely related to them, and questioning why the Israelites are upset about this. The men of Judah also insist that they have not received any special favors or gifts from the king.
In this verse, the men of Judah are speaking to the men of Israel during a tense moment after King David’s return to Jerusalem. The people of Israel feel slighted because the men of Judah brought David back without including them. Judah’s answer points out their family connection to David (he is from their tribe) and denies any selfish motives, saying they have not benefited materially from the king.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 19:42
- "kin" (קָרוֹב, qarov): This word means "near" or "close," often in the sense of family or tribal relationship. Here, it highlights that David is from the tribe of Judah, making their connection personal and direct.
- "angry" (חָרָה, charah): This word means "to be hot" or "to burn," often used for anger. The men of Judah are asking why the Israelites are so upset, emphasizing the intensity of the dispute.
- "eaten" (אָכַל, akhal): This word means "to eat." The men of Judah use it to say they have not "eaten at the king’s cost," meaning they have not taken advantage of their relationship with David for personal gain.
- "gift" (נְשִׂיאָה, nesi’ah): This word refers to a present or something given. The men of Judah stress that David has not given them any special gifts, reinforcing their claim of fairness.
Why 2 Samuel 19:42 matters
- This verse clarifies that the men of Judah’s actions were not motivated by greed or favoritism, but by their close tribal connection to David.
- The verse helps explain the growing tension between the tribes of Israel and Judah, which becomes a major theme in the later history of Israel.
- By denying any special treatment, the men of Judah try to ease suspicions and prevent further division among the people after a time of national crisis.