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2 Samuel 19:34

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 19:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Barzillai said unto the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Barzillai said unto the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
2 Samuel 19:34 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan.
32Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
33And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will sustain thee with me in Jerusalem.
34And Barzillai said unto the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
35I am this day fourscore years old: can I discern between good and bad? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
36Thy servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
37Let 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.
← 2 Samuel 19:332 Samuel 19:35 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Barzillai said unto the king, etc.] In answer to the grateful proposal he made: how long have I to live; that could not be said with exactness by any; but it might be probably conjectured from the age he was of, and the infirmities that attended him, that he could not live long; it was but a short time he had to be in the world: that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? take so long a journey as that, seeing he might die before he got thither; and if he did not, since it could not be thought he should live long, he could not think of it, or judge it advisable at such an age to take such a journey, change his place of abode, and manner of living.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How long have I to live: Heb. How many days are the years of my life, Gen 47:9; Job 14:14; Psa 39:5, Psa 39:6; Co1 7:29; Jam 4:14 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 19:35”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification