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 had our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away , 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 .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:40-43
Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:40-43
(Read 2 Samuel 19:40-43)
The men of Israel though themselves despised, and the fiercer words of the men of Judah produced very bad effects. Much evil might be avoided, if men would watch against pride, and remember that a soft answer turneth away wrath. Though we have right and reason on our side, if we speak it with fierceness, God is displeased.