Daily Tanach Tuesday Shmuel 2 Chapter 19 Part 3: Barzilaiy the Giladi is offered reward by Dovid but declined the offer

1.      Barzilaiy the Giladi is offered reward by Dovid but declined the offer:

• Barzilaiy the Giladi had descended from the city of Roglim to escort the king past the Jordan River. Barzilaiy was very old at 80 years of age, and he sustained the king with food when the king was living in Machanayim, as Barzilaiy was a very great man [and very wealthy[1]].
• Dovid’s offer: The king then said to Barzilaiy, “Travel back with me to Jerusalem and I will sustain you while you are there.”
• Barzilaiy declines the offer: However, Barzilaiy refused the offer by saying to the king, “How many years are left of my life that I should ascend with the king to Jerusalem? I am today 80 years of age and do not know the difference between good and bad regarding the foods that I taste and the beverages that I drink. I likewise find no pleasure anymore in hearing song and musical instruments and therefore why should I become a burden to my master the king. I have barely crossed the Jordan River together with you, and therefore am undeserving of such kindness of this magnitude from the king. Please let your servant return to his city and die there so he can be buried together with the graves of his father and mother. Let your servant [my son[2]] Kimham travel with you my master the king back to Jerusalem and you can do with him as is good in your eyes.”
• Barzilaiy parts from Dovid after he crossed the Jordan: The king accepted his offer and agreed to have Kimham return with him to Jerusalem, and the king promised, “I will do for him all that is good in your eyes, and whatever you choose upon me I shall do for you.” The entire nation crossed the Jordan River together with the king. [Prior to parting with] Barzilaiy, the king kissed him and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

[1] Rashi 19:33

[2] Rashi 19:38