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40. All the people of Judah. Judah seems finally to have taken the most active part in the restoration of David to his throne. David’s words to the elders of Judah (vs. 11, 12) evidently had had its effect, and there was a general gathering of the people to welcome him back from exile to his crown, throne, and kingdom.

Half the people of Israel. In v. 11 “all Israel” is said to have been interested in David’s return, but now only “half the people” turn out to greet him. A small attendance was to be expected, for Israel, as distinguished from Judah, was farther away, and thus it would not have been feasible for so many to come out to welcome David. Further, the word concerning David’s return seems not to have been circulated as widely in the north as in Judah (see v. 41).