King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 19:35 Mean?

2 Samuel 19:35 in the King James Version says “I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I d... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? 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?

2 Samuel 19:35 · KJV


Context

33

And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem.

34

And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live , that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? How: Heb. How many days are the years of my life

35

I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? 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?

36

Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

37

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of 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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? 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?

This verse contributes to the narrative of David's Return, emphasizing restoration, leadership wisdom. David's return to Jerusalem requires political wisdom as he navigates competing factions. His restoration of enemies (Shimei) and reward of supporters demonstrates leadership discernment. Theological themes include wise leadership during restoration, the complexity of post-crisis reconciliation, balancing justice and mercy, and the necessity of moving forward despite ongoing tensions.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 19 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding restoration, leadership wisdom provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of restoration, leadership wisdom?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
בֶּן1 of 32

old

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁמֹנִ֣ים2 of 32

fourscore

H8084

eighty, also eightieth

שָׁנָה֩3 of 32

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אָֽנֹכִ֨י4 of 32
H595

i

הַיּ֜וֹם5 of 32

I am this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַֽאֵדַ֣ע׀6 of 32

and can I discern

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בֵּֽין7 of 32
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

ט֣וֹב8 of 32

between good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְרָ֗ע9 of 32

and evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אִם10 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִטְעַ֤ם11 of 32

taste

H2938

to taste; figuratively, to perceive

עַבְדְּךָ֥12 of 32

can thy servant

H5650

a servant

אֶת13 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 32

or what

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֹכַל֙15 of 32

I eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְאֶת16 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 32

or what

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶשְׁתֶּ֔ה18 of 32

I drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

אִם19 of 32
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֶשְׁמַ֣ע20 of 32

can I hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

ע֔וֹד21 of 32
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּק֖וֹל22 of 32

any more the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

וְשָׁר֑וֹת23 of 32

and singing women

H7891

to sing

וְשָׁר֑וֹת24 of 32

and singing women

H7891

to sing

וְלָמָּה֩25 of 32
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה26 of 32
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עַבְדְּךָ֥27 of 32

can thy servant

H5650

a servant

עוֹד֙28 of 32
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לְמַשָּׂ֔א29 of 32

be yet a burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

אֶל30 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲדֹנִ֖י31 of 32

unto my lord

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃32 of 32

the king

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 19:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 19:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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