2 Samuel 19:36

Verse

Your servant could go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan; why should the king repay me with such a reward?

American Standard Version (1901)

Thy servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

Bible in Basic English

Your servant's desire was only to take the king over Jordan; why is the king to give me such a reward?

Douay-Rheims 1899

I thy servant will go on a little way from the Jordan with thee: I need not this recompense.

Free Bible Version

For your servant to cross the Jordan River with the king is enough reward for me!

Geneva Bible 1599

Thy seruant will goe a litle way ouer Iorden with the King, and why wil the king recompence it me with such a rewarde?

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

I will cross the Jordan River with you and go a little further, and that will be all the reward that I need for helping you.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Your servant would like to just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

Your servant will just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward?

Young's Literal Translation

As a little thing, thy servant doth pass over the Jordan with the king, and why doth the king recompense me this recompense?

Context

David’s Kindness to Barzillai

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 could 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.”

Summary

In this verse, Barzillai the Gileadite expresses his old age and inability to discern between good and bad. He humbly declines King David's offer to go to Jerusalem, highlighting his advanced years and frailty. Despite his loyalty and support to David during his time of need, Barzillai chooses to stay in his own land and die there. This passage showcases Barzillai's wisdom in recognizing his limitations and gracefully declining the king's generous offer.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

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?