2 Samuel 19:36

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 19:36-38. Why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?— Since he had but done his duty to his sovereign, he did not expect to be so highly rewarded for it. That I may die in mine own city — That my bones may, with little ado, be carried to the place of their rest. The grave is ready for me; let me go and get ready for it, go and die in my house. But behold thy servant Chimham — That he might not seem rude in refusing the king’s gracious offer, he desires him to transfer his kindness to his son, and bestow upon him what he pleased. The king answered, Chimham shall go over with me — He readily consented to take the young man with him, promised to provide for him, and assured Barzillai he would do every thing else he desired.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:31-39 Barzillai thought he had done himself honour in doing the king any service. Thus, when the saints shall be called to inherit the kingdom, they will be amazed at the recompence being so very far beyond the service, Mt 25:37. A good man would not go any where to be burdensome; or, will rather be so to his own house than to another's. It is good for all, but especially becomes old people, to think and speak much of dying. The grave is ready for me, let me go and get ready for it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Unable to get to the bottom of the story, and perhaps unwilling to make an enemy of Ziba, David compromised the matter by dividing the land, thus partially revoking his hasty sentence 2 Samuel 16:4. We still see the impatient temper of David.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

35. the voice of singing men and singing women—Bands of professional musicians form a prominent appendage to the courts of Oriental princes.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

A little way over Jordan; a little onward in thy way to Jerusalem, and then return.

Recompense it me, or, recompense me, to wit, for my small kindness to thee at Mahanaim, which was but a part of my duty to thee.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king,.... That is, go a little way after he was over Jordan with him, and then return to his own city:

and why should the king recompense it with such a reward? the sense is, why should the king recompense so trifling a thing as I have done, and which was but my duty, with such a reward, as to maintain me in so grand a manner at his court?

Geneva Study Bible

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

2 Samuel 19:36

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

As Barzillai had supplied the king with provisions during his stay in Mahanaim (שׁיבה for ישׁיבה, like צואה for יצואה, and other words of the same kind), because he was very wealthy (lit. great), David would gladly have taken him with him to Jerusalem, to repay him there for his kindness; but Barzillai replied (2 Samuel 19:34.), "How many days are there of the years of my life (i.e., how long shall I have yet to live), that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am now eighty years old; can I((still) distinguish good and evil, or will thy servant taste what I eat and drink, or listen again to the voice of the singing men and singing women? and why should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? Thy servant would go over the Jordan with the king for a short time (i.e., could not remain long with him), and why does the king wish to repay me this favour?" ישׁב־נא: "Let thy servant return, that I may die in my city (my home), at the grave of my parents; and behold thy servant Chimham (i.e., according to the explanation given by Josephus, Barzillai's son, who had come down with his father, as we may infer from 1 Kings 2:7) may go over with my lord the king; and do to him what seemeth good to thee," i.e., show him favours at thy pleasure.