2 Samuel 19:31–39

David’s Kindness to Barzillai

³¹And ^jBarzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. ³²Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And ^khe had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man. ³³And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while you are with me in Jerusalem.”

³⁴But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? ³⁵I am today ^leighty years old. Can I discern between the good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any longer the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a further burden to my lord the king? ³⁶Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward? ³⁷Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant ^mChimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.”

³⁸And the king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you. Now whatever you request of me, I will do for you.” ³⁹Then all the people went over the Jordan. And when the king had crossed over, the king ⁿkissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his own place.