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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31-39

David had already graced the triumphs of his restoration with the generous remission of the injuries that had been done to him; we have him here gracing them with a no less generous reward of the kindnesses that had been shown to him. Barzillai, the Gileadite, who had a noble seat at Rogelim, not far from Mahanaim, was the man who, of all the nobility and gentry of that country, had been most kind to David in his distress. If Absalom had prevailed, it is likely he would have suffered for his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:37

Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again ,.... To his own city, after he is gone ever Jordan, and seen the king a little way on his journey: that I may die in my own city : the city of Rogelim, where perhaps he was born, and had lived all his days, and where it is natural for people to desire to die, even in their native place: and be buried by the grave of my father, and of my mother : or "in" their grave, as Kimchi and Ben Melech, in the sepulchre of his fathers, where men... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:38

And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me ,.... He admitted of him instead of his father: and I will do unto him that which shall seem good unto thee ; he puts it to Barzillai, and leaves it with him to ask what he would for his son, and he would grant it. We nowhere read what it was that Barzillai asked, or whether he asked anything; only this we read, that some hundreds of years afterward there was a place called the habitation of Chimham near Bethlehem, Jeremiah 41:17 ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 19:37

Thy servant Chimham - It is generally understood that this was Barzillai's son; and this is probable from 1 Kings 2:7 , where, when David was dying, he said, Show kindness to the sons of Barzillai: and it is very probable that this Chimham was one of them. In Jeremiah 41:17 ; mention is made of the habitation of Chimham, which was near to Bethlehem; and it is reasonably conjectured that David had left that portion, which was probably a part of his paternal estate, to this son of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31-40

( THE JORDAN .) Old Barzillai. "How long have I to live?" ( 2 Samuel 19:34 ). Barzillai dwelt at Rogelim (his own city, 2 Samuel 19:37 ), in Gilead, where, amidst the rich highland pastures, diligently superintending his flocks and herds, he spent his days in peace. He enjoyed "the blessing of the Old Testament"—prosperity; and was "a very great [wealthy] man." Like Machir ben-Ammiel ( 2 Samuel 9:4 ), he was loyal, hospitable, and generous ( 2 Samuel 17:28 ). One of his sons... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:31-43

The facts are: 1 . Barzillai, having provided sustenance for David while he was at Mahanaim, and accompanying him over Jordan, is entreated to go and live with him at Jerusalem. 2 . Barzillai, having no relish for the kind of life which he thought prevailed at court, pleads age and infirmity and a fear of being an incumbrance to David, as a reason for not complying with his request, but asks that his own son Chimham may be permitted to go. 3 . David consents, promises to do for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:37

That I may die in mine own city … by the grave of my father and of my mother. The inserted words, "and be buried," are very matter of fact and commonplace. What Barzillai wished was that, when death overtook him, it should find him in the old abode of his family, where his father and mother had died, and where their tombs were. This regard for the family sepulchre was hereditary among the Israelites, who followed in it the example of their forefather (see Genesis 49:29-31 ). Chimham .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Samuel 19:37

Chimham - From marginal references it appears that Chimham, having accepted David’s offer, came and settled near Bethlehem. His house was still called after him at the time of the captivity. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 19:36-38

2 Samuel 19:36-38. Why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? Since he had but done his duty to his sovereign, he did not expect to be so highly rewarded for it. That I may die in mine own city That my bones may, with little ado, be carried to the place of their rest. The grave is ready for me; let me go and get ready for it, go and die in my house. But behold thy servant Chimham That he might not seem rude in refusing the king’s gracious offer, he desires him to transfer... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:9-43

David returns to Jerusalem (19:9-43)Because the nation was still deeply divided as a result of Absalom’s revolt, David did not return to Jerusalem immediately. He was waiting for the people to give an indication that they wanted him restored as king. Some people of the northern tribes had suggested they invite David back, but the people of Judah, David’s own tribe, had apparently said nothing (9-10).Knowing the rivalry that existed between Judah and the other tribes, David cunningly suggested... read more

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