31 And Barzillai the Gileadite hath gone down from Rogelim, and passeth over the Jordan with the king, to send him away over the Jordan; 32 and Barzillai 'is' very aged, a son of eighty years, and he hath sustained the king in his abiding in Mahanaim, for he 'is' a very great man; 33 and the king saith unto Barzillai, 'Pass thou over with me, and I have sustained thee with me in Jerusalem.' 34 And Barzillai saith unto the king, 'How many 'are' the days of the years of my life, that I go up with the king to Jerusalem? 35 A son of eighty years I 'am' to-day; do I know between good and evil? doth thy servant taste that which I am eating, and that which I drink? do I hearken any more to the voice of singers and songstresses? and why is thy servant any more for a burden unto my lord the king? 36 As a little thing, thy servant doth pass over the Jordan with the king, and why doth the king recompense me this recompense? 37 Let, I pray thee, thy servant turn back again, and I die in mine own city, near the burying-place of my father and of my mother,—and lo, thy servant Chimham, let him pass over with my lord the king, and do thou to him that which 'is' good in thine eyes.' 38 And the king saith, 'With me doth Chimham go over, and I do to him that which 'is' good in thine eyes, yea, all that thou dost fix on me I do to thee.' 39 And all the people pass over the Jordan, and the king hath passed over, and the king giveth a kiss to Barzillai, and blesseth him, and he turneth back to his place.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:31-39
Commentary on 2 Samuel 19:31-39
(Read 2 Samuel 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, Matthew 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.