2 Samuel 19:36

36 As a little thing, thy servant doth pass over the Jordan with the king, and why doth the king recompense me this recompense?

2 Samuel 19:36 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:36

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king,
&c.] That is, go a little way after he was over Jordan with him, and then return to his own city:

and why should the king recompense it with such a reward?
the sense is, why should the king recompense so trifling a thing as I have done, and which was but my duty, with such a reward, as to maintain me in so grand a manner at his court?

2 Samuel 19:36 In-Context

34 And Barzillai saith unto the king, `How many [are] the days of the years of my life, that I go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35 A son of eighty years I [am] to-day; do I know between good and evil? doth thy servant taste that which I am eating, and that which I drink? do I hearken any more to the voice of singers and songstresses? and why is thy servant any more for a burden unto my lord the king?
36 As a little thing, thy servant doth pass over the Jordan with the king, and why doth the king recompense me this recompense?
37 Let, I pray thee, thy servant turn back again, and I die in mine own city, near the burying-place of my father and of my mother, -- and lo, thy servant Chimham, let him pass over with my lord the king, and do thou to him that which [is] good in thine eyes.'
38 And the king saith, `With me doth Chimham go over, and I do to him that which [is] good in thine eyes, yea, all that thou dost fix on me I do to thee.'
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.