2 Samuel 19:31-39
World English Bible
31 Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.” 34 Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 I am eighty years old, today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear the voice of singing men and singing women any more? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”
38 The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to you. Whatever you request of me, that I will do for you.”
39 All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. Then the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.
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2 Samuel 19:31-39
International Standard Version
David’s Mercy for Barzillai
31 Barzillai the Gileadite also had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan River with the king and to see him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was a very old man at the age of 80 years. A very wealthy man, Barzillai[a] had provided for king David during his sojourn in Mahanaim.[b] 33 So the king invited Barzillai, “Cross the Jordan River[c] with me, live with me in Jerusalem, and I’ll provide for you there.”[d]
34 “How many more years do I have to live,” Barzillai replied to the king, “that I should move to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I’m now 80 years old! I can hardly tell the difference between what tastes[e] good or bad! I can’t tell what I eat or drink! I can’t hear the voice of men and women when they sing! So why should your servant be an added burden to your majesty the king? 36 Your servant will cross the Jordan River[f] with the king for a short distance, but why should the king offer me this reward? 37 Please let your servant return so I can die in my own home town near the grave of my father and mother. Meanwhile, here is your servant Chimham![g] Let him accompany your majesty the king. Please do for him whatever seems best to you.”
38 So the king answered, “Chimham will accompany me, and I’ll do for him whatever seems best to you! I’ll do anything for you that you want!” 39 Then all the people crossed the Jordan River,[h] followed by the king. The king embraced[i] Barzillai, blessed him, and then Barzillai[j] returned to his home.[k]
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- 2 Samuel 19:32 Lit. he
- 2 Samuel 19:32 Cf. 2Sam 17:27
- 2 Samuel 19:33 The Heb. lacks the Jordan River
- 2 Samuel 19:33 The Heb. lacks there
- 2 Samuel 19:35 The Heb. lacks what tastes
- 2 Samuel 19:36 The Heb. lacks River
- 2 Samuel 19:37 I.e., a son of Barzillai to whom David later gave a land grant near Bethlehem and on which Chimham built an inn that remained at least until the exile; cf. Jer 41:17
- 2 Samuel 19:39 The Heb. lacks River
- 2 Samuel 19:39 Or kissed
- 2 Samuel 19:39 Lit. he
- 2 Samuel 19:39 Lit. place
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