2 Samuel 19:27-37

27 "Moreover, 1he has slandered your servant to my lord the king; but my lord the king is 2like the angel of God, therefore do what is good in your sight.
28 "For 3all my father's household was nothing but dead men before my lord the king; 4yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right do I have yet that I should complain anymore to the king?"
29 So the king said to him, "Why do you still speak of your affairs? I have decided, 'You and Ziba shall divide the land.' "
30 Mephibosheth said to the king, "Let him even take it all, since * my lord the king has come safely to his own house."
31 Now 5Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan.
32 Now Barzillai was very old, being eighty years old; and he had 6sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.
33 The king said to Barzillai, "You cross over with me and I will sustain you in Jerusalem with me."
34 But Barzillai said to the king, "7How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35 "I am now 8eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Or can I hear anymore 9the voice of singing men and women? 10Why 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. Why should the king compensate me with this reward?
37 "Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant 11Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight."

2 Samuel 19:27-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 19

David indulging to too much grief for the death of his son, is rebuked by Joab, and threatened with a revolt of the people from him, if he did not change his conduct, which be accordingly did, 2Sa 19:1-8; upon which the men of Israel were the first that moved for the bringing him back to Jerusalem, and the men of Judah were solicited to join with them in it, which was effected, 2Sa 19:9-15; and at Jordan, Shimei, that had cursed him, met him, and asked his pardon, and was forgiven, 2Sa 19:16-23; and when come to Jerusalem, Mephibosheth excused so well his not going out with him, that he had half his land restored to him, which had been given to his servant, 2Sa 19:24-30; and Barzillai, who had very liberally supplied the king, was allowed to return to his own city, and Chimham his son was taken to court, 2Sa 19:31-40; and a contention arose between the men of Israel and of Judah about the restoration of the king, which issued in an insurrection, as the next chapter shows, 2Sa 19:41-43.

Cross References 11

  • 1. 2 Samuel 16:3, 4
  • 2. 2 Samuel 14:17, 20
  • 3. 2 Samuel 21:6-9
  • 4. 2 Sam 9:7, 10, 13
  • 5. 2 Samuel 17:27-29; 1 Kings 2:7
  • 6. 2 Samuel 17:27-29
  • 7. Genesis 47:8
  • 8. Psalms 90:10
  • 9. Ecclesiastes 2:8; Isaiah 5:11, 12
  • 10. 2 Samuel 15:33
  • 11. 2 Samuel 19:40; 1 Kings 2:7; Jeremiah 41:17

Footnotes 7

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