David’s Kindness to Barzillai
Barzillai, who had sustained David at Mahanaim, comes to accompany him across the Jordan. David offers him provision in Jerusalem, but Barzillai declines and asks instead that Chimham go in his place.
N31ow Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and send him on his way from there. 32Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim. 33The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.” 34But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36Your servant will go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan; why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
David agrees to receive Chimham and to do what Barzillai asks. After blessing and kissing Barzillai, he continues on to Gilgal with Judah and part of Israel escorting him.
38The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.” 39So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home. 40Then the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king.