2 Samuel 19:31

And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

2 Samuel 19:31-33. Barzillai came down from Rogelim — Rogelim was a place in mount Gilead, and Barzillai came down from thence to do the king honour and see him safe over Jordan. He had provided the king sustenance — Barzillai had a very generous heart, which moved him to supply the wants of David and all his family and attendants as long as he stayed at Mahanaim, which was a considerable time. I will feed thee with me — Entertain thee at my own table as a singular friend.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:31-39 Barzillai thought he had done himself honour in doing the king any service. Thus, when the saints shall be called to inherit the kingdom, they will be amazed at the recompence being so very far beyond the service, Mt 25:37. A good man would not go any where to be burdensome; or, will rather be so to his own house than to another's. It is good for all, but especially becomes old people, to think and speak much of dying. The grave is ready for me, let me go and get ready for it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Unable to get to the bottom of the story, and perhaps unwilling to make an enemy of Ziba, David compromised the matter by dividing the land, thus partially revoking his hasty sentence 2 Samuel 16:4. We still see the impatient temper of David.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

31-40. Barzillai the Gileadite—The rank, great age, and chivalrous devotion of this Gileadite chief wins our respect. His declining to go to court, his recommendation of his son, his convoy across the Jordan, and his parting scene with the king, are interesting incidents. What mark of royal favor was bestowed on Chimham has not been recorded; but it is probable that David gave a great part of his personal patrimony in Beth-lehem to Chimham and his heirs in perpetuity (Jer 41:17).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

And then to cross Jordan again, and so return to his native land.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim,.... The place of his habitation, to Jordan, see 2 Samuel 17:27,

and went over Jordan with the king to conduct him over Jordan; to accompany him over the river, and then take his leave of him.

Geneva Study Bible

And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

31–40. Barzillai’s farewell to David

31. Barzillai] See ch. 2 Samuel 17:27.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - Barzillai. Barzillai was so wealthy a man that, with some help from others, he had provided the king "of sustenance," or, in more modern English, "with sustenance," while his army lay encamped at Mahanaim; and now, though he was eighty years of age, he wished to attend the king in person until he reached the other side of Jordan. 2 Samuel 19:31

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Barzillai comes to greet David. - 2 Samuel 19:31. Barzillai the octogenarian "had also come down from Roglim and gone across the Jordan with the king, to escort him over the river." את־בּירדּן is the portion in, or over, the Jordan. את is the sign of the accusative, "the piece in the Jordan," and no further. This is the correct explanation as given by Bttcher, after Gesenius and Maurer; and the Keri היּרדּן is a bad emendation.