And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
The verse belongs to the account of David's victory over Absalom and his return to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion. It stands near the close of the history running from the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David in 2 Samuel 3 through 2 Samuel 20, together with the other incidents connected with those greater events. That return journey touched the hearts of David's old friends. The episode belongs to the retribution that followed David's wrong toward Uriah, whose consequences continued through the rest of David's life, chiefly within his family. It falls within the troubles that grew from David's sin, teaching that people cannot break God's laws without suffering their inherent consequences.
Barzillai declines David's invitation to go up with the king to Jerusalem by asking how much longer he has to live, because he is very old and expects to live only a little longer. He is fourscore, eighty years old, and his age frames his response to the king's offer. Age has weakened his ability to distinguish things, to enjoy food and drink, and to hear music. He does not want to become a burden to the king.
After supporting David in his need and escorting him partway home, Barzillai chooses to return. He asks to return to his own city and die near his family burial place, his parents' graves. Though age diminished his senses, his good sense and noble character had matured.
His refusal shows that his great age left him unfit for the entertainments of an earthly prince's court. The infirmities of age can end active work but do not end service to God, for old servants are still required and accepted. They are changed from working servants to waiting servants who honor God, receive comfort from Him, and relish the pleasures of His courts as much as ever while patiently waiting for the promise drawing ever nearer.
The verse belongs to the account of David's victory over Absalom and his return to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion. It stands near the close of the history running from the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David in 2 Samuel 3 through 2 Samuel 20, together with the other incidents connected with those greater events. That return journey touched the hearts of David's old friends. The episode belongs to the retribution that followed David's wrong toward Uriah, whose consequences continued through the rest of David's life, chiefly within his family. It falls within the troubles that grew from David's sin, teaching that people cannot break God's laws without suffering their inherent consequences.
Barzillai declines David's invitation to go up with the king to Jerusalem by asking how much longer he has to live, because he is very old and expects to live only a little longer. He is fourscore, eighty years old, and his age frames his response to the king's offer. Age has weakened his ability to distinguish things, to enjoy food and drink, and to hear music. He does not want to become a burden to the king.
After supporting David in his need and escorting him partway home, Barzillai chooses to return. He asks to return to his own city and die near his family burial place, his parents' graves. Though age diminished his senses, his good sense and noble character had matured.
His refusal shows that his great age left him unfit for the entertainments of an earthly prince's court. The infirmities of age can end active work but do not end service to God, for old servants are still required and accepted. They are changed from working servants to waiting servants who honor God, receive comfort from Him, and relish the pleasures of His courts as much as ever while patiently waiting for the promise drawing ever nearer.