Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 19:42

"And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then are ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all at the king`s cost? or hath he given us any gift?" — 2 Samuel 19:42 (ASV)

Have we eaten. —Judah justifies its course by its close relationship to the king and rejects the idea of having received any special favors from him. In this, then, may be a taunt to the Benjamites because of the partiality shown them by Saul. On the other hand, the Israelites urge their claim of numerical superiority. The whole dispute is a remarkable testimony to the fairness of David’s government between the tribes.