2 Samuel 19:28-38

28 For all my father’s house were but men doomed to death before my lord the king, but ¹you set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right have I, then, to cry to the king? ”

29 And the king said to him, “Why speak any more of your affairs? I have decided: you and Ziba shall divide the land. ”

30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Oh, let him take it all, since my lord the king has come safely home. ”

31 Now ²Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim, and he went on with the king to the Jordan, to escort him over the Jordan.

32 Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. ³He 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, ⁴“How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

35 I am this day ⁵eighty 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 ⁶an 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?

37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant ⁷Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you. ”

38 And the king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you, and all that you desire of me I will do for you. ”

2 Samuel 19:28-38 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

• 1. 19:28 ch. 9:7, 10, 13
• 2. 19:31 1 Kgs. 2:7
• 3. 19:32 ch. 17:27-29
• 4. 19:34 Gen. 47:8
• 5. 19:35 [Ps. 90:10]
• 6. 19:35 ch. 15:33
• 7. 19:37 1 Kgs. 2:7; Jer. 41:17