2 Samuel 19:35

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

I am this day {H3117} fourscore {H8084} years {H8141} old {H1121}: and can I discern {H3045} between good {H2896} and evil {H7451}? can thy servant {H5650} taste {H2938} what {H834} I eat {H398} or what {H834} I drink {H8354}? can I hear {H8085} any more the voice {H6963} of singing men {H7891} and singing women {H7891}? wherefore then should thy servant {H5650} be yet a burden {H4853} unto my lord {H113} the king {H4428}?

Complete Jewish Bible

I am now eighty years old. Can I tell good from bad? Can your servant even taste what he eats or drinks? Can I hear the voice of men and women singing any more? Why should your servant burden my lord the king?

Berean Standard Bible

I 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?

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Samuel 19:35, Barzillai the Gileadite, an eighty-year-old loyal supporter of King David, humbly declines the king's generous invitation to reside in Jerusalem. Having provided crucial aid to David during Absalom's rebellion, Barzillai articulates his advanced age and the natural decline of his physical senses, explaining that he would be a liability rather than an asset in the vibrant court life, thus preferring not to become a burden to his lord. His words reflect profound self-awareness, wisdom, and continued deference to the king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the narrative of King David's return to Jerusalem following the suppression of Absalom's rebellion. David, having crossed the Jordan River, is met by various factions and individuals, including those who had remained loyal and those who had defected. Barzillai had been a significant figure of support and provision for David and his weary men during their exile in Mahanaim, supplying them with essential food, beds, and vessels, as detailed in [2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27-29 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Provision for David"). Out of deep gratitude, David extends a personal invitation to Barzillai to accompany him to Jerusalem, promising to provide for him there. Barzillai's response in this verse is a testament to his character, demonstrating a self-sacrificing wisdom that contrasts with the political maneuvering and self-interest seen elsewhere in [the book of 2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Book of 2 Samuel").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately following a civil war, such as Absalom's rebellion, was often marked by efforts to consolidate power, reward loyalty, and reconcile factions. David's invitation to Barzillai was not merely an act of personal kindness but also a strategic move to honor a prominent figure from Gilead, thereby strengthening his standing across the kingdom. In ancient Israel, old age was generally revered, seen as a sign of God's blessing and a source of wisdom, as seen in [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - Gray Hair as a Crown of Glory"). However, the physical realities of aging, including the decline of senses, were also acknowledged. Court life in Jerusalem would have been dynamic and demanding, involving banquets, music, and political discussions, activities that Barzillai wisely recognized he could no longer fully participate in or appreciate. His concern about being a "burden" reflects a cultural value placed on contributing to the community and avoiding becoming a drain on resources.
* **Key Themes:** Barzillai's words in this verse encapsulate several significant themes. Firstly, it highlights **wisdom in old age**, demonstrating a profound understanding of one's limitations and the appropriate time to transition from active service. Barzillai exemplifies a mature self-awareness that prioritizes the king's welfare over personal prestige. Secondly, the passage underscores the **transience of physical life and earthly pleasures**. Barzillai's lament about his failing senses serves as a poignant reminder that even the most delightful aspects of human experience—taste, hearing, social engagement—are subject to decay. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of the fleeting nature of life, as expressed in [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life"). Thirdly, the verse subtly touches upon **gratitude and loyalty**, as Barzillai, despite declining the offer, maintains an attitude of deep respect and continued allegiance to David, whom he consistently refers to as "my lord the king." His actions speak to a genuine, selfless devotion that had characterized his support during David's darkest hour.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fourscore (Hebrew, _shᵉmônîym'_):** This word directly states Barzillai's advanced age of eighty years. In the ancient world, this was considered a very old age, signifying the natural decline of physical and sensory faculties, which forms the basis for Barzillai's humble refusal of David's invitation.
* **discern (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** While `yâdaʻ` broadly means "to know" or "to perceive," in this context, Barzillai uses it to express his diminished capacity for sensory perception and appreciation. He implies that his ability to "know" or "distinguish" between the pleasant ("good") and unpleasant ("evil") aspects of life, particularly through taste and hearing, has faded with age, rendering the delights of court life meaningless to him.
* **burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** This term signifies a load, a weight, or something that is troublesome. Barzillai's use of `massâʼ` reveals his deep humility and selflessness. He fears that his advanced age and declining faculties would make him an imposition on the king, requiring care and attention rather than being able to contribute meaningfully to the royal court. His desire is to avoid becoming a liability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] this day fourscore years old:"** Barzillai opens by stating his advanced age, laying the foundation for his argument. This is a factual declaration that immediately establishes the premise for his physical limitations.
* **"[and] can I discern between good and evil?"** This rhetorical question refers to his diminished capacity to appreciate and distinguish between pleasant and unpleasant sensory experiences, particularly in the context of the king's court. He implies that his senses are dull, making the "good" things of life less enjoyable.
* **"can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink?"** This further specifies the decline of his senses, focusing on the sense of taste. The rich foods and fine wines of the king's table would be wasted on him, as his palate is no longer capable of full appreciation.
* **"can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women?"** This vividly illustrates the loss of his hearing, particularly for the music and entertainment that would be a prominent feature of royal court life. The inability to enjoy music underscores his detachment from the vibrant social scene.
* **"wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?"** This is the culminating rhetorical question, drawing a logical conclusion from his preceding statements. Given his physical decline and inability to fully participate in or enjoy court life, he concludes that his presence would only serve as an imposition or a drain on the king, rather than a benefit. This reveals his profound respect and selfless concern for David.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich with literary devices that amplify Barzillai's message. The most prominent is the use of **Rhetorical Questions**. Barzillai poses a series of questions ("can I discern...?", "can thy servant taste...?", "can I hear...?", "wherefore then should...?") not to solicit answers, but to powerfully assert his physical limitations and the logical conclusion that follows. This technique makes his argument undeniable and deeply personal. There is also clear **Parallelism** and **Repetition** in the structure of the questions, particularly the repeated "can I...?" which emphasizes the comprehensive nature of his sensory decline. The mention of "singing men and singing women" provides **Vivid Imagery**, painting a picture of the lively court life that Barzillai can no longer fully participate in, making his loss more tangible to the listener. Finally, Barzillai's self-description as a "burden" can be seen as a form of **Understatement** or **Humility**, as he downplays his significant past contributions and focuses solely on his present perceived inadequacy, demonstrating a profound lack of self-importance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Barzillai's humble refusal in 2 Samuel 19:35 offers a profound theological reflection on the nature of wisdom, aging, and selfless service. His self-awareness and willingness to accept his limitations, rather than clinging to prestige or comfort, exemplify a mature understanding of one's place before God and others. This stands in stark contrast to many biblical figures who grasped for power or overextended themselves. The passage implicitly reminds us of the temporary nature of our physical bodies and the fleeting quality of earthly pleasures, prompting a deeper consideration of what truly endures. It encourages a posture of humility, recognizing that true strength often lies in acknowledging weakness and knowing when to gracefully yield. Barzillai's concern about being a "burden" highlights the biblical value of contribution and the desire to be a blessing rather than a drain on others, especially those in authority.

* [Psalm 90:10](/psalm/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")
* [Ecclesiastes 12:1-7](/ecclesiastes/12-1-7 "Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 - Remember Your Creator in Your Youth")
* [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - Gray Hair as a Crown of Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Barzillai's example in 2 Samuel 19:35 provides timeless lessons for all stages of life. His profound self-awareness challenges us to honestly assess our own capacities and limitations, especially as we age or face changing circumstances. True wisdom often involves knowing when to step back, delegate, or adjust our roles, rather than clinging to positions we can no longer effectively fulfill. This isn't about resignation, but about responsible stewardship of our remaining years and energies, ensuring we remain a blessing to others. His humility reminds us that our value is not solely tied to our productivity or what we can gain, but in our character and our willingness to serve according to our current ability. For younger generations, it's a call to honor and learn from the wisdom of elders, recognizing that their experiences, even in decline, offer invaluable insights. For elders, it's an encouragement to embrace the natural process of aging with grace, finding new ways to contribute and receive care without shame, always prioritizing the well-being of the community over personal pride.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Barzillai's self-awareness challenge my own understanding of my limitations and capacities?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to overextend myself, and how can I learn to gracefully step back or adjust my role?**
* **How can I better honor and learn from the wisdom of elders in my community, even as their physical abilities may wane?**
* **What does it mean to be a "burden" in a healthy, biblical sense, and how can I ensure I am a blessing to others rather than a drain?**

### FAQ
**What is the meaning of "discern between good and evil" in this verse?**

Answer: In 2 Samuel 19:35, Barzillai's phrase "discern between good and evil" primarily refers to his diminished ability to distinguish and appreciate sensory pleasures and experiences, not moral judgment. He is lamenting that he can no longer fully enjoy the "good" things of life, such as delicious food, fine drink, and beautiful music, which would be part of the king's court. His senses have dulled to the point where these delights would be lost on him, making him unable to truly participate in or benefit from the royal hospitality. While the phrase "discern good and evil" can have a moral or ethical meaning elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 - The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil") or [1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for an Understanding Heart")), in Barzillai's mouth, it speaks to the physical realities of aging and the loss of sensory enjoyment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Barzillai's humble acknowledgement of his limitations and his fear of becoming a "burden" to the king finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Unlike Barzillai, who recognized his inability to fully participate in earthly courtly life, Jesus Christ perfectly discerned all things—not merely sensory pleasures, but the very depths of good and evil, truth and falsehood, as seen in his teachings and confrontations, for example, in [John 8:44-47](/john/8-44-47 "John 8:44-47 - Jesus Exposes the Devil as a Liar"). More significantly, while Barzillai sought to avoid being a burden, Jesus willingly became the ultimate burden-bearer. He took upon Himself the immense weight of humanity's sin and suffering, becoming a "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). He did not fear becoming a burden; rather, He invited the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him, promising rest ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Through His sacrifice on the cross, He bore the ultimate "burden" of God's wrath against sin, offering us freedom from our own spiritual burdens. Furthermore, while Barzillai's physical senses were failing, Christ offers a new spiritual discernment and new senses to those who believe, enabling us to taste that the Lord is good ([Psalm 34:8](/psalm/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord Is Good")) and to hear His voice, even the "new song" of redemption ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of Redemption")). In Christ, our ultimate "burden" is lifted, and our true capacity for discerning and enjoying the eternal good is restored.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 15:33

Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

Ezra 2:65

Beside their servants and their maids, of whom [there were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and [there were] among them two hundred singing men and singing women.

Psalms 90:10

The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Nehemiah 7:67

Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom [there were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

Isaiah 5:11

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Exodus 12:4

And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take [it] according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.