2 Samuel 19:24-43

Common English Bible

²⁴ Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also came down to meet the king. He hadn’t taken care of his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. ²⁵ When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you go with me?”

²⁶ “My master and king,” Mephibosheth answered, “my servant abandoned me! Because your servant is lame, I asked my servant, ‘Saddle a donkey for me^[a] so I can ride and go to the king.’ ²⁷ So Ziba has slandered your servant to my master and king, but my master and king is a messenger of God. So do whatever seems best to you. ²⁸ Even though all the members of my grandfather’s family were nothing short of demonic^[b] toward my master and king, you still put your servant with those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to beg for still more from the king?”

²⁹ “You don’t need to talk any more about this,” the king said to him. “I order you and Ziba to divide the property.”

³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take all of it, since my master and king has come home safely.”

³¹ Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim. He accompanied the king to the Jordan River to send him off there. ³² Barzillai was very old, 80 years of age. He had supported the king during his stay at Mahanaim because Barzillai was a very wealthy man.

³³ The king said to Barzillai, “Come over the Jordan with me. I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”

³⁴ But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years do I have left that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ³⁵ I am now 80 years old. Do I know what is good or bad anymore? Can your servant taste what I eat or drink? Can I even hear the voices of men or women singers? Why should your servant be a burden to my master and king? ³⁶ Your servant will cross a short way over the Jordan with the king, but why should the king give me such a reward? ³⁷ Let your servant return so I may die in my own town near the grave of my parents. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my master and king, and treat him as you think best.”

³⁸ The king said, “Okay. Chimham will cross over with me, and I will treat him as I^[c] think best. And I will do for you anything you desire from me.”

³⁹ So all the people crossed over the Jordan River, and the king stayed behind.^[d] The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and then Barzillai went back to his home. ⁴⁰ When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Chimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king across.

⁴¹ Then everyone in Israel came and said to the king, “Why did our relatives the people of Judah steal you away, and bring the king and his household across the Jordan River, along with all of his soldiers?”

⁴² Then all the people of Judah answered the Israelites, “Because the king is our relative! Why are you angry at us about this? Have we taken any of the king’s food? Has he given us any gifts?”

⁴³ But the Israelites answered the people of Judah, “We have ten shares in the monarchy! What’s more, we are the oldest offspring, not you!^[e] So why have you disrespected us? Weren’t we the first to talk about bringing back our king?”

But the words of the people of Judah were even harsher than the words of the Israelites.^[f]