2 Samuel 19:36

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy servant {H5650} will go {H5674} a little way {H4592} over {H5674} Jordan {H3383} with the king {H4428}: and why should the king {H4428} recompense {H1580} it me with such a reward {H1578}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Your servant only wants to cross the Yarden with the king; why should the king reward this so generously?

Berean Standard Bible

Your servant could go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan; why should the king repay me with such a reward?

American Standard Version

Thy servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 19:36 captures the profound humility and selfless devotion of Barzillai the Gileadite as he responds to King David's generous offer of provision and honor in Jerusalem. Despite his vital support to David during Absalom's rebellion, Barzillai respectfully declines the king's lavish invitation, citing his advanced age and preference to die in his own city. This verse specifically highlights his willingness to accompany the king only a short distance across the Jordan River, humbly questioning the need for such an extravagant "reward" for his service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in David's reign, immediately following the suppression of Absalom's rebellion. King David is returning to Jerusalem from his exile in Mahanaim. During David's desperate flight, Barzillai, along with other loyalists, provided crucial provisions and support, as detailed in [2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Support for David"). As David prepares to cross the Jordan River, he expresses deep gratitude and extends a remarkable invitation to Barzillai to join him in Jerusalem and be cared for in his old age, as seen in [2 Samuel 19:33](/2_samuel/19-33 "2 Samuel 19:33 - David's Invitation to Barzillai"). Barzillai's response, beginning in [2 Samuel 19:34](/2_samuel/19-34 "2 Samuel 19:34 - Barzillai Declines David's Offer") and culminating in this verse, articulates his reasons for declining the full offer while still demonstrating unwavering loyalty by agreeing to a symbolic escort.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, the relationship between a king and his loyal subjects, especially those who provided aid in times of crisis, involved a strong expectation of patronage and recompense. A king was honor-bound to reward fidelity. Barzillai, an eighty-year-old wealthy man, would have been highly respected. His decision to decline David's offer, rather than being seen as disrespectful, would have been understood as a profound act of humility and wisdom, recognizing the limitations of old age and the cultural importance of dying among one's own people and ancestral land. The Jordan River itself often served as a significant geographical and symbolic boundary, marking transitions and returns.
* **Key Themes:** Barzillai's interaction with King David powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in the book of [2 Samuel](/2_samuel/1 "The Book of 2 Samuel"). Foremost among these are **loyalty** and **gratitude**, as David honors Barzillai's steadfast support during his most vulnerable period. Barzillai's response, however, introduces themes of **humility** and **selfless service**, demonstrating a heart that gave without expectation of lavish earthly reward. His discerning choice also highlights **wisdom in old age**, as he understands his physical limitations and prioritizes a peaceful end to his life over the luxuries of court. This exchange underscores the principle of **discerning one's season**, recognizing when to step back gracefully, a motif that resonates throughout biblical narratives concerning leadership and legacy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **recompense (Hebrew, _shalem'_):** This verb (שָׁלַם) means "to be complete, sound, pay, repay, make good." It often carries the connotation of a just or deserved payment for services rendered, or the fulfillment of an obligation. Barzillai's rhetorical question, using this term, subtly challenges the notion that his actions constituted a "debt" owed by the king. He implies that his service was not a transaction requiring repayment, but an act of genuine loyalty and duty, thus deflecting any claim to a "just" reward.
* **reward (Hebrew, _gemul'_):** The noun (גְּמוּל) refers to a "dealing," "benefit," or "return," often implying a recompense for actions, whether good or bad. In this context, it signifies the lavish benefit David intended to bestow. Barzillai's humble deflection of this "reward" underscores his selfless motivation; he did not serve for personal gain or recognition, but out of devotion to his king.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king:"** This clause demonstrates Barzillai's unwavering respect and loyalty. Despite declining the full invitation to Jerusalem, he offers a symbolic gesture of escorting David across the Jordan River. This act signifies a final, honorable farewell and a public affirmation of his support for the king's return to power. It is a profound act of courtesy and allegiance, confirming his commitment even as he sets his own boundaries.
* **"and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?"** This is a powerful rhetorical question that reveals the depth of Barzillai's humility and selflessness. He views his past actions not as a service deserving of extravagant payment, but as a natural expression of duty and loyalty. By questioning the need for such a grand "reward," he deflects the king's generosity, indicating that his motivation for serving David was pure and unburdened by expectations of personal gain or recognition. It highlights a spirit of giving that finds its satisfaction in the act itself, rather than in the return.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs a significant **Rhetorical Question** ("and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?"), which serves to emphasize Barzillai's profound humility and selfless motives. This question is not seeking an answer but rather expresses his internal conviction that his service was not transactional. There is also an element of **Understatement** in "a little way over Jordan," as Barzillai's modest offer stands in stark contrast to David's grand invitation, subtly highlighting Barzillai's practical and unassuming nature. The act of crossing the Jordan itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing a transition back to stability and the re-establishment of David's reign, with Barzillai's presence marking a loyal farewell at this significant threshold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Barzillai's conduct in 2 Samuel 19:36 stands as a powerful biblical example of selfless service and profound humility, challenging the human tendency toward self-promotion and the expectation of earthly reward for good deeds. His actions model a spiritual maturity that values genuine loyalty and duty over personal gain or recognition. This attitude resonates deeply with the biblical emphasis on serving God and others with pure motives, understanding that true reward often lies beyond the visible and immediate. It encourages believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring that service springs from love and devotion rather than from a desire for human praise or material recompense.

* [Luke 17:10](/luke/17-10 "Luke 17:10 - Unworthy Servants")
* [Matthew 6:1-4](/matthew/6-1 "Matthew 6:1-4 - Giving in Secret")
* [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility and Selflessness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Barzillai's response to King David offers a timeless lesson on the nature of true service and the wisdom of knowing oneself. In a world that often measures worth by accumulation and recognition, Barzillai's humility challenges us to evaluate our own motivations. Do we serve others, our communities, or our God with an expectation of return, or out of a genuine desire to contribute and bless? His discernment regarding his "season" of life also provides a model for embracing our limitations with grace, understanding that true wisdom lies in knowing when to step back and prioritize what truly matters for our well-being and spiritual peace. Barzillai teaches us that the greatest acts of loyalty and generosity are often those performed without fanfare or the desire for recompense.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations for serving others or engaging in ministry? Am I seeking recognition or reward?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of humility and selflessness in my daily interactions, mirroring Barzillai's example?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to discern my "season" or limitations, and respond with wisdom rather than obligation or pride?**

### FAQ
**Why did Barzillai decline David's generous offer to live in Jerusalem?**

Answer: Barzillai, at 80 years old, wisely recognized his advanced age and the limitations that came with it. He explicitly stated that he would not be able to enjoy the pleasures of court life, such as food and music, and expressed a desire to die in his own city, near his family's burial place ([2 Samuel 19:34-35](/2_samuel/19-34 "2 Samuel 19:34-35 - Barzillai's Reasons for Declining")). His decision was not a lack of loyalty but a profound act of self-awareness and practical wisdom, prioritizing his comfort and spiritual peace in his final years.

**What does Barzillai's question "why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?" reveal about his character?**

Answer: This rhetorical question reveals Barzillai's deep humility, selflessness, and a non-transactional view of his service to the king. He did not see his actions during David's desperate flight as a debt owed or a service deserving of extravagant payment. Instead, he viewed his assistance as a natural expression of loyalty and duty, not something to be "recompensed" with a lavish "reward." His character exemplifies genuine generosity and a heart that serves without expectation of personal gain, valuing the act of service itself over any external recognition or material benefit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Barzillai's profound humility and selfless refusal of an earthly reward beautifully foreshadow the ultimate self-emptying of Jesus Christ. Just as Barzillai served David without expectation of lavish recompense, so Christ, though eternally rich, "became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). The Son of God did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). He did not grasp at equality with God but "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Barzillai's disinterest in earthly glory points to the divine humility of Christ, whose "reward" was not personal aggrandizement but the salvation of humanity and the glorification bestowed upon Him by the Father ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Faith")). His life and death illustrate that the greatest service is rendered not for what one can gain, but for the sheer love of God and neighbor, a grace-filled economy where salvation is a gift, not a earned recompense ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

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.