Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 19:43

43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said▪ We have ten parts in the king , and we have also more right in David than ye : Why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king ? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

They say but ten, though strictly there were Eleven; either, because they accounted Ioseph (which comprehends both Ephraim and Manasseh under it) for one Tribe, as it is sometimes reckon'd; or because Simeon, whose Lot lay within the Tribe of Iudah, were joyned with them in this Action.

i. e. In the Kingdom, and the management of the Affairs of it; the Word King being put for Kingdom, as it is 2 Chron. 23. 20. and Isa. 23. 15. Dan. 7. 17. Hos. 10. 15. Or, in the King's person, and the disposal thereof.

As in the general we have more right in the King and Kingdom; so particularly, we have more right in David than you, because you were the first beginners, and the most zealous promoters of this Rebellion: and as David is nearest of kin to you, so he hath been most injured by you; howsoever, as he is King, we justly Claim a greater Interest in him, than you; inasmuch as we are the far greatest part of his Subjects.

That we being the far greater Number, should not have the first and chiefest Vote in this Action. But the Words are by some, and may well be rendred interrogatively, And was not my word first about bringing the King back? Did not we make the first mention of it, before you could be drawn to it? For so indeed they did, ver. 11. And therefore the neglect of their Advice herein might seem more inexcusable.

Instead of mollifying them with gentle words, they answered them with greater fierceness and insolency; so that David durst not interpose himself in the matter.

Marginal references: Heb. set us a light.