2 Samuel 19:31-39

Living Bible

^31-32 Barzillai, who had fed the king and his army during their exile in Mahanaim, arrived from Rogelim to conduct the king across the river. He was very old now, about eighty, and very wealthy.

³³ “Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.”

³⁴ “No,” he replied, “I am far too old for that. ³⁵ I am eighty years old today, and life has lost its excitement.^[a] Food and wine are no longer tasty, and entertainment is not much fun; I would only be a burden to my lord the king. ³⁶ Just to go across the river with you is all the honor I need! ³⁷ Then let me return again to die in my own city, where my father and mother are buried. But here is Chimham.^[b] Let him go with you and receive whatever good things you want to give him.”

³⁸ “Good,” the king agreed. “Chimham shall go with me, and I will do for him whatever I would have done for you.”

³⁹ So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king; and after David had kissed and blessed Barzillai, he returned home.