31 Now (A)Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to [a]escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was very old: eighty years old; and he had (B)provided the king food while he stayed in Mahanaim, for he was a very great man. 33 So the king said to Barzillai, “You cross over with me, and I will provide you food in Jerusalem with me.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, “(C)How long [b]do I still have to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am [c]now (D)eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Or can I still hear (E)the voice of men and women singing? (F)Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king. So why should the king compensate me with this reward? 37 Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant (G)Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you [d]require of me, I will do for you.” 39 All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too. The king then (H)kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 19:31 Lit send
  2. 2 Samuel 19:34 Lit are the days of the years of my life
  3. 2 Samuel 19:35 Lit today
  4. 2 Samuel 19:38 Lit choose

31 Now (A)Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. (B)He had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 And the king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 But Barzillai said to the king, (C)“How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am this day (D)eighty years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still listen to the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be (E)an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant (F)Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you, and all that you desire of me I will do for you.” 39 Then all the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. And (G)the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own home.

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