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 Barzillai(A) the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy(B) man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.”

34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty(C) years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers?(D) Why should your servant be an added(E) burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father(F) and mother. But here is your servant Kimham.(G) Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.”

38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell,(H) and Barzillai returned to his home.

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