3 The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle.
3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
3 And the people stole into the city that day as people steal in who are ashamed when they flee in battle.
3 The army straggled back to the city that day demoralized, dragging their tails.
3 And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.
3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:3
Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:1-8
(Read 2 Samuel 19:1-8)
To continue to lament for so bad a son as Absalom, was very unwise, and very unworthy. Joab censures David, but not with proper respect and deference to his sovereign. A plain case may be fairly pleaded with those above us, and they may be reproved for what they do amiss, but it must not be with rudeness and insolence. Yet David took the reproof and the counsel, prudently and mildly. Timely giving way, usually prevents the ill effects of mistaken measures.