2 Samuel 19:34

2 Samuel 19:34 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
• New International Version (NIV)But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?
• English Standard Version (ESV)But Barzillai said to the king, "How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
• New King James Version (NKJV)But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Context of 2 Samuel 19:34

32Barzillai was an elderly man, 80 years old. Because he was a very rich man, he had provided the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim. 33The king told Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. I’ll provide for you in Jerusalem.” Barzillai replied, “I don’t have much longer to live. I shouldn’t go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem. 35I’m 80 years old now. How can I tell what is pleasant and what is not? Can I taste what I eat or drink? Can I still hear the singing of men and women? Why should I now become a burden to you, Your Majesty? 36I’ll just cross the Jordan River with you. Why should you give me such a reward?

2 Samuel 19:34 word by word

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר בַּרְזִלַּ֖י אֶל־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כַּמָּ֗ה יְמֵי֙ שְׁנֵ֣י חַיַּ֔י כִּי־אֶעֱלֶ֥ה אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Barzillaiבַּרְזִלַּיbarzillay · BarzillaiH1271
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• unto the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• How longיוֹםyôm · day: yearH3117
• have I to liveחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
• have I to liveשָׁנָהshâneh shânâh · yearH8141
• that I should go upעָלָה‛âlâh · to ascend: riseH5927
• unto Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlaim yerûshâlayim · JerusalemH3389

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 19:34

• Genesis 47:9Jacob answered Pharaoh, “The length of my stay on earth has been 130 years. The years of my life have been few and difficult, fewer than my ancestors’ years.”
• Job 14:14“If a person dies, will he go on living? I will wait for my relief to come as long as my hard labor continues.
• Psalms 39:5Indeed, you have made the length of my days ⌞only⌟ a few inches. My life span is nothing compared to yours. Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind. Selah
• 1 Corinthians 7:29This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time has been shortened. While it lasts, those who are married should live as though they were not.
• James 4:14You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19:34

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 31-39Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 31-40Barzillai was old and weak, so he turned down David's invitation to the royal court in Jerusalem. This invitation was a reward for Barzillai's help. Instead, David took Barzillai’s son Kimham (see also 1 Kings 2:7).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 31-4031-40. Barzillai the Gileadite--The rank, great age, and chivalrous devotion of this Gileadite chief wins our respect. His declining to go to court, his recommendation of his son, his convoy across the Jordan, and his parting scene with the king, are interesting incidents. What mark of royal favor was bestowed on Chimham has not been recorded; but it is probable that David gave a great part of his personal patrimony in Beth-lehem to Chimham and his heirs…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 19:34

• Barzillai
• Contentment
• David
• Old Age

In the dictionaries

• Jerusalem
• Conduct
• Cost
• Lord
• Barzillai
• Benjamin
• Bible, the
• David
• Israel, History of
• Samuel, Books of

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings