2 Samuel 19:34

34 But Barzillai said to the king, ¹"How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

2 Samuel 19:34 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:34

And Barzillai said unto the king
In answer to the grateful proposal he made:

how long have I to live;
that could not be said with exactness by any; but it might be probably conjectured from the age he was of, and the infirmities that attended him, that he could not live long; it was but a short time he had to be in the world:

that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
take so long a journey as that, seeing he might die before he got thither; and if he did not, since it could not be thought he should live long, he could not think of it, or judge it advisable at such an age to take such a journey, change his place of abode, and manner of living.

2 Samuel 19:34 In-Context

32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. 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, "How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

35 I am this day 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 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?

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 47:8