19:38,39
While Barzillai did not go with David, he sent his son KImham with David, and David would do whatever Barzillai wanted for him. David is adopting a very conciliatory approach to the various people we have encountered in this chapter. This is in contrast to the approach followed by Rehoboam, and that led to the splitting of the nation. After crossing the Jordan, Barzillai returned home.
19:40-43
Kimham crossed with David, along with all the men of Judah, and half the troops of Israel. Again we note the implicit division between Judah and Israel. The men of Israel seem to be resentful of the fact that Judah was wholeheartedly behind David. The men of Judah claim that the answer is obvious, because David was from the tribe of Judah. The Israelites respond by claiming that since they have ten tribes they have a greater share than Judah. They also point out that they were the first ones to speak up for bringing David back, which was true. The men of Judah just respond more forcefully.
Yet again we see the seeds of division. They are trying to unite behind a man. What they should have been doing is uniting behind the Lord. The Lord was their true king. We perhaps see a similar situation when people have too strong a devotion to a particular denomination or grouping. We do need to work within denominations or groupings, but out primary focus needs to be on the Lord.
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