2 Samuel 19:37

37 Let me go back home. Then I can die in my own town. I can be buried there in the tomb of my father and mother. But let Kimham take my place. Let him go across the river with you. Do for him what pleases you."

2 Samuel 19:37 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:37

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again
To his own city, after he is gone ever Jordan, and seen the king a little way on his journey:

that I may die in my own city:
the city of Rogelim, where perhaps he was born, and had lived all his days, and where it is natural for people to desire to die, even in their native place:

[and be buried] by the grave of my father, and of my mother:
or "in" their grave, as Kimchi and Ben Melech, in the sepulchre of his fathers, where men usually choose to be buried:

but behold, thy servant Chimham:
who was his son; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions express it, my son Chimham:

let him go over with my lord the king;
not only over Jordan, but to Jerusalem with him:

and do to him what shall seem good unto thee;
advance him, and put him into any post or office the king should think fit, or bestow a pension upon him, or give him an estate to live upon, or whatever he pleased.

2 Samuel 19:37 In-Context

35 I'm already 80 years old. I can hardly tell the difference between what is good and what isn't. I can hardly taste what I eat and drink. I can't even hear the voices of male and female singers anymore. So why should I add my problems to yours?

36 "I'll go across the Jordan River with you for a little way. Why should you reward me by taking care of me?

37 Let me go back home. Then I can die in my own town. I can be buried there in the tomb of my father and mother. But let Kimham take my place. Let him go across the river with you. Do for him what pleases you."

38 The king said, "Kimham will go across with me. I'll do for him what pleases you. And I'll do for you anything you want me to do."

39 So all of the people went across the Jordan River. Then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and gave him his blessing. And Barzillai went back home.