2 Samuel 19:34
New International Version
But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

New Living Translation
“No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Berean Standard Bible
But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

King James Bible
And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?

New King James Version
But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

New American Standard Bible
But Barzillai said to the king, “How long do I still have to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

NASB 1995
But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

NASB 1977
But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Legacy Standard Bible
But Barzillai said to the king, “How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Amplified Bible
But Barzillai said to the king, “How much longer have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Christian Standard Bible
Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

American Standard Version
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?

Contemporary English Version
Barzillai answered: Your Majesty, why should I go to Jerusalem? I don't have much longer to live.

English Revised Version
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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Barzillai replied, "I don't have much longer to live. I shouldn't go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
But Barzillai answered, "I don't have long to live; why should I go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem?

International Standard Version
"How many more years do I have to live," Barzillai replied to the king, "that I should move to Jerusalem with the king?

Majority Standard Bible
But Barzillai replied, ?How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

NET Bible
Barzillai replied to the king, "How many days do I have left to my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

New Heart English Bible
But Barzillai said to the king, "How many more days would I have there, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Webster's Bible Translation
And Barzillai said to the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

World English Bible
Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Barzillai says to the king, “How many [are] the days of the years of my life, that I go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Young's Literal Translation
And Barzillai saith unto the king, 'How many are the days of the years of my life, that I go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Barzillai will say to the king, According to what the days of the years of my life, that I shall go up with the king to Jerusalem?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Berzellai said to the king: How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Barzillai said to the king: “How many days remain in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

New American Bible
But Barzillai answered the king: “How much longer have I to live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?

New Revised Standard Version
But Barzillai said to the king, “How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Barzillai said to the king, How many years have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Barzali said to the King: “How many are the years of my life that I would go up with the King to Jerusalem?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Berzelli said to the king, How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David's Kindness to Barzillai
33The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.” 34But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35I 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?…

Cross References
Genesis 47:9
“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”

Psalm 90:10
The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,” / before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, / on the day the keepers of the house tremble and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few and those watching through windows see dimly, ...

1 Kings 2:6
So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:9
Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.

1 Chronicles 29:28
He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.

Genesis 25:8
And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.

1 Samuel 12:2
Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day.

Luke 2:29-32
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. / For my eyes have seen Your salvation, / which You have prepared in the sight of all people, ...

Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. / I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. / From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.

Hebrews 11:13-16
All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...

2 Corinthians 5:1-4
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, / because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Barzillai said to the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

Genesis 47:9
And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

Job 14:14
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Psalm 39:5,6
Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah…

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2 Samuel 19
1. Joab causes the king to cease his mourning
9. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back
11. David sends to the priest to incite them of Judah
18. Shimei is pardoned
24. Mephibosheth excused
32. Barzillai dismissed, and Chimham his son taken into the king's family
41. The Israelites expostulate with Judah for bringing home the king without them














But Barzillai replied
Barzillai, a wealthy and aged Gileadite, is a figure of loyalty and generosity. His name, meaning "iron-hearted" or "man of iron," reflects his steadfast character. In the context of David's return to Jerusalem after Absalom's rebellion, Barzillai's response is a testament to his humility and wisdom. His reply is not just a refusal but a reflection of his contentment and understanding of his life's stage. This moment highlights the importance of recognizing one's limitations and the grace in serving where one is best suited.

How many years of my life remain
This phrase captures Barzillai's awareness of his mortality. In the Hebrew context, the acknowledgment of life's brevity is a recurring theme, urging believers to live with purpose and wisdom. Barzillai's rhetorical question is not one of despair but of practical consideration. It reflects a biblical worldview that values the quality of life and service over mere longevity. His perspective encourages believers to focus on eternal values and to make the most of the time God grants.

that I should go up to Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds significant spiritual and political importance. For Barzillai, going up to Jerusalem symbolizes a journey of honor and privilege, yet he chooses to decline. This decision underscores a profound lesson in contentment and self-awareness. Barzillai's choice to remain in his own land rather than seek prestige in the king's court teaches the value of serving faithfully in one's own community and the peace found in simplicity and humility.

with the king?
King David, a central figure in Israel's history, represents God's anointed leadership. Barzillai's relationship with David is marked by loyalty and support during a time of crisis. His question reflects a deep respect for the king while also recognizing his own limitations. This interaction between Barzillai and David illustrates the biblical principle of honoring authority while also understanding one's role within God's plan. It serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting godly leadership and the blessings that come from serving with integrity and wisdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Barzillai
בַּרְזִלַּ֖י (bar·zil·lay)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1271: Barzillai -- 'man of iron', three Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“How many
כַּמָּ֗ה (kam·māh)
Preposition-k | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

years
יְמֵי֙ (yə·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of my life [remain],
חַיַּ֔י (ḥay·yay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I should go up
אֶעֱלֶ֥ה (’e·‘ĕ·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

with
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

the king?
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 2 Samuel 19:34 Barzillai said to the king How many (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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