2 Samuel 19:35, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the history of David's reign in 2 Samuel 18-19, part of the account of David's victory over Absalom and his return to Jerusalem. That account covers Absalom's rebellion against David, the death of Absalom, David's lament, and David's return with its difficulties and troubles with Joab. It stands at the close of the history running from the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David through chapter 20. It is told with detailed faithfulness that stamps it with inspiration and shows that God does not hide the sins of even the greatest kings. That faithfulness includes the sad consequences of David's many wives and sons whom he was unable to control.

The verse stands inside the long retribution that followed David's wicked conduct toward Uriah in 2 Samuel 11-19. In those chapters David received back in kind for his wrong through the rest of his life, principally in his own family in the sad history of Amnon and Tamar and in the rebellion and unnatural crimes of Absalom. Even Adonijah's rebellion and death belongs as part of the same retribution. This proves that wrongdoing brings calamity and sorrow upon the wrongdoer in the very kind of evil he caused and that sin never pays except in its own kind. The account of the troubles in David's family and the events surrounding Absalom thus shows the suffering that follows when people go against God's laws: even when punishment is not openly given, transgression carries its own curse.

At eighty years old, Barzillai explains that age has diminished his ability to discern between good and evil, to taste and enjoy food and drink, and to hear singing. He therefore asks why he should be a burden to King David by moving to Jerusalem, living at the king's table, and accepting the king's offer of care. He prefers to return to his own city and die and be buried beside his parents' grave. His loyal service was complete after he helped David safely across the Jordan. The verse thus illustrates the abating of physical power in old age, when at eighty the senses fail so that the aged become a burden. Age may have weakened Barzillai's senses, but his good sense and noble character had matured.

Barzillai's unfitness for the entertainments of earthly princes means the infirmities of age end fitness for active, working service. Yet old servants of God are not dismissed or cast off and must not desert His service. They are still required and accepted as waiting servants who relish the pleasures of God's courts as much as ever. They quietly wait to give Him honor and receive comfort from Him, and with patience wait till they inherit the promise. To them God grows dearer as the eternal happiness they wait for draws nearer.