2 Samuel 19:36 kjv
Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
2 Samuel 19:36 nkjv
Your servant will go a little way across the Jordan with the king. And why should the king repay me with such a reward?
2 Samuel 19:36 niv
Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way?
2 Samuel 19:36 esv
Your servant will go a little way over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?
2 Samuel 19:36 nlt
Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need!
2 Samuel 19 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 27:2 | Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. | Barzillai does not praise himself. |
| Rom 12:3 | For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think... | Barzillai knows his limits. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant... | Barzillai prioritizes David's well-being. |
| Ps 131:1 | O LORD, my heart is not lofty; my eyes are not haughty; I do not walk... | Reflects Barzillai's humble spirit. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man... | Barzillai does not boast in his wealth/service. |
| Ecc 12:1-7 | Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come... | Describes the physical decline of old age. |
| Ps 90:10 | The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet... | Directly mentions the typical lifespan and its limitations. |
| Job 30:2 | What is the strength of my hands, since their prime is past? | Barzillai's reflection on diminished capacity. |
| Gen 47:9 | And Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The days of the years of my sojourning... | A patriarch's view of life's brevity. |
| 1 Ki 1:1-4 | Now King David was old and advanced in years... | David himself experiences similar age-related issues. |
| 1 Thess 2:9 | For you remember, brothers, our toil and labor: working night and day... | Paul's principle of not being a burden. |
| 2 Thess 3:8 | ...nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil... | Paul avoiding imposing a burden. |
| Acts 20:34-35 | You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities... | Paul's example of self-reliance to avoid being a burden. |
| Matt 10:9-10 | Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey... | Disciples sent out not to demand sustenance. |
| Lk 14:28-30 | For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down... | Planning and assessing capacity before commitment. |
| Num 11:11 | Moses said to the LORD, "Why have you dealt ill with your servant, that you lay the burden..." | Illustrates the weight of leadership responsibilities. |
| Neh 4:10 | In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing; there is too much rubble." | A general statement about weariness from burdens. |
| Matt 11:28-30 | Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke... | Jesus acknowledging human burdens and offering lightness. |
| 2 Sam 19:38-39 | And David said, "Chimham shall go with me, and I will do for him..." | David honors Barzillai's request for his son. |
| Ps 71:18 | So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me... | A prayer to be useful in old age, but Barzillai also steps aside for the younger generation. |
| Prov 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children... | Barzillai ensuring a good future for his son. |
| John 3:27 | A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. | Humility regarding one's limitations. |
2 Samuel 19 verses
2 Samuel 19 36 Meaning
In 2 Samuel 19:36, Barzillai, an eighty-year-old man, graciously declines King David's offer of permanent hospitality in Jerusalem. His statement, "Your servant will go a little way with the king, and then why should your servant add to the king's burden?" signifies his deep humility, acute self-awareness of his advanced age and diminished capabilities, and his genuine concern for King David's welfare. He expresses loyalty by offering a brief escort, but wisely and respectfully rejects a position at court that he believes he would not be able to fully benefit from or contribute to, and instead would become an additional responsibility for the king.
2 Samuel 19 36 Context
Chapter 19 of 2 Samuel describes King David's triumphant, yet tumultuous, return to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. As David makes his way back across the Jordan River, various figures from the kingdom approach him, either seeking to make amends, display loyalty, or receive rewards. Among these is Barzillai the Gileadite, an elderly and wealthy man who had generously supported David and his company with provisions during their refuge across the Jordan (2 Sam 17:27-29). In gratitude, David offers Barzillai a place at his court in Jerusalem, promising to provide for him. This verse (19:36) is Barzillai's humble and discerning refusal of that generous offer. He acknowledges his loyalty and respect for the king, but demonstrates a profound self-awareness of his age and declining faculties, realizing that residing at court would become more of a responsibility for David than a true benefit for either of them.
2 Samuel 19 36 Word analysis
- עַבְדְּךָ֙ (avdecha) "Your servant": A humble and respectful self-designation used by Barzillai when addressing King David. It reflects a posture of deferential loyalty, not mere servitude. Barzillai's actions throughout the rebellion had indeed shown true servanthood to the king.
- יַעֲבֹ֣ר (ya'avor) "will go" / "pass over" / "accompany": Indicates Barzillai's willingness to go forth with the king, showing his allegiance and a desire to offer a respectful escort for a short distance. It is an act of ceremonial honor and final farewell.
- מְעַ֣ט (me'at) "a little way" / "a short distance": A crucial qualifier. It indicates the very limited scope of his accompaniment. This brevity signals his acknowledgment of his age and inability to embark on a long journey or maintain a rigorous courtly life. It also respectfully delineates the extent of his current physical capacity for service.
- אֶת־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (et-hammelech) "with the king": Clearly identifies the esteemed person Barzillai is accompanying. This emphasizes the honor and respect he holds for David, even as he is declining David's offer.
- וְלָמָּה֙ (v'lamah) "and why?" / "why then?": Introduces a rhetorical question. This phrasing suggests that the reason for not going further is self-evident and stems from logical consideration rather than unwillingness or ingratitude.
- יוֹסִ֨יף (yosif) "should add" / "increase": Conveys the idea of contributing or adding something further. Here, Barzillai suggests that his presence would contribute to a negative outcome – an increased burden.
- מַשָּׂ֖א (massa) "burden" / "load" / "weight": This is a powerful metaphor. It refers to something heavy to carry, but in this context, it metaphorically means a source of trouble, responsibility, or an imposition. Barzillai is discerning enough to understand that his aging needs would create additional work or obligation for the king, who already carries the immense weight of governing.
- לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (lammelech) "to the king" / "for the king": Explicitly states who would bear the burden. It highlights Barzillai's concern for David and his consideration for the well-being of the monarchy, demonstrating a deeper loyalty than simply accepting personal gain.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Your servant will go a little way with the king": This phrase establishes Barzillai's enduring loyalty and respect for David. He acknowledges the king's elevated status and the custom of accompanying a monarch, even if for a brief, symbolic distance. It shows his good intentions and decorum despite his decision.
- "and then why should your servant add to the king's burden?": This rhetorical question underlines Barzillai's profound wisdom and selfless concern. It's not a question of his willingness, but his genuine understanding of his limitations and how his presence at court would genuinely detract from, rather than contribute to, David's already challenging responsibilities, particularly after the recent rebellion. It displays both humility about his own declining abilities and an empathetic grasp of the king's arduous task.
2 Samuel 19 36 Bonus section
- Barzillai's decision, though practical and humble, implicitly serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the ultimate importance of where one desires to find rest and burial. For him, it was his familiar home.
- His refusal underscores the theme that true wisdom includes discerning what one is truly capable of and knowing when to gracefully step aside, allowing others, particularly the next generation (in this case, Chimham), to serve in new capacities.
- Barzillai's character shines here, not just for his loyalty in adversity, but for his integrity and foresight in prosperity. He did not let the allure of royal favor diminish his understanding of his true self or the needs of his king.
2 Samuel 19 36 Commentary
Barzillai's refusal of David's generous offer is a remarkable display of humility, self-knowledge, and mature wisdom. At eighty years old, he correctly assessed that moving to the royal court, with its demanding schedule and complex social dynamics, would be ill-suited for his remaining years. He had no desire for worldly pomp or sustained material gain; his previous support for David was rooted in true loyalty. By stating he would "add to the king's burden," Barzillai highlights a selfless perspective—he understood that his presence would shift from being a beneficial ally in a time of need to a personal responsibility for the king. This was not a pretense of humility but an authentic acknowledgment of the realities of aging, demonstrating a genuine concern for the demands on David, who himself was facing the complexities of reuniting his kingdom. Barzillai preferred to spend his remaining time in his familiar hometown, focused on simple living and the ultimate prospect of death. This action contrasts sharply with others who sought personal advantage at court and sets an example of living well by knowing one's season in life.