2 Samuel 19:37

35 I 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?

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

Please 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.”

38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”

39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Please 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.”
KJV
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
WEB
Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.”
ASV
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
DARBY
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham: let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what seems good to thee.
BLB
Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and my mother. And here is your servant Chimham. Let him pass over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your eyes.”
ÅB
Kjære, la din tjener vende tilbake, så jeg kan dø i min egen by, hvor min fars og min mors grav er! Men se, her er din tjener Kimham; la ham få dra med min herre kongen, og gjør med ham som du synes!
OTB
La din tjener få vende tilbake, så jeg kan dø i min egen by nær graven til min far og mor. Men her er din tjener Kimham; la ham krysse over med min herre kongen, og gjør for ham hva som synes godt for deg."
B1930
Kjære, la din tjener vende tilbake, så jeg kan dø i min egen by, hvor min fars og min mors grav er! Men se, her er din tjener Kimham; la ham få dra med min herre kongen, og gjør med ham som du synes!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 41:17

    And they went and stayed in Geruth Chimham, near Bethlehem, in order to proceed into Egypt

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 2:7

    But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 19:40

    Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 47:30

    but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.”

    Read in context
  • Joshua 23:14

    Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 48:21

    Then Israel said to Joseph, “Look, I am about to die, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 13:22

    but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to do so, your body shall never reach the tomb of your fathers.’”

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 1:14

    because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

    Read in context