Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 15th, 2025
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
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New Living Translation

2 Samuel 19:37

Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Barzillai;   Chimham;   Contentment;   David;   Old Age;   Thompson Chain Reference - Home;   Love;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Burial;   Contentment;  

Dictionaries:

- Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Friend, Friendship;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prophet;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Chimham;   Grave;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Barzillai;   Bethlehem;   Chimham;   David;   Gad (1);   Inn;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Chimham;   Ironsmith;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Geruth-Chimham;   Samuel, Books of;   Solomon;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Joram;   Tomb, Grave, Sepulchre;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Barzillai ;   Chimham ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Barzillai;   Chimham;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Barzil'la-I;   Chim'ham;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Barzillai;   Chimham;   Relationships, Family;   Samuel, Books of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Barzillai;   Friendship;   Inn;   Yudan;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham: let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”
Hebrew Names Version
Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Kemoham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.
King James Version
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
Lexham English Bible
Please let your servant return, and let me die in my city in the tomb of my father and my mother. Here is your servant Kimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him that which is good in your eyes."
English Standard Version
Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you."
New Century Version
Then let me go back so I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham, your servant. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever you want."
New English Translation
Let me return so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But look, here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever seems appropriate to you."
Amplified Bible
"Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city [and be buried] by the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham [my son]; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you."
New American Standard Bible
"Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight."
Geneva Bible (1587)
I pray thee, let thy seruant turne backe againe, that I may die in mine owne citie, and be buryed in the graue of my father and of my mother: but beholde thy seruant Chimham, let him goe with my lorde the king, and doe to him what shall please thee.
Legacy Standard Bible
Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant Chimham, let him pass over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight."
Contemporary English Version
Just let me return to my hometown, where I can someday be buried near my father and mother. My servant Chimham can go with you, and you can treat him as your own.
Complete Jewish Bible
Your servant only wants to cross the Yarden with the king; why should the king reward this so generously?
Darby Translation
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham: let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what seems good to thee.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then please let me go back so that I can die in my own town and be buried in the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham; take him back with you as a servant, my lord and king. Do whatever you want with him."
George Lamsa Translation
Let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city and be buried beside the grave of my father and my mother. But behold here is with you your servant Bimham my son; let him go over with my lord the king, and do you to him what seems good in your sight.
Good News Translation
Then let me go back home and die near my parents' grave. Here is my son Chimham, who will serve you; take him with you, Your Majesty, and do for him as you think best."
Literal Translation
Please let your servant return, and I shall die in my own city, near the burying place of my father and my mother. And, behold your servant Chimham! Let him cross over with my lord the king, and you do to him the good in your eyes.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Let thy seruaunt turne backe agayne, that I maye dye in my cite besyde my father and my mothers graue. Beholde, there is thy seruaunt Chimeam, let him go ouer with my lorde the kynge, and do vnto him what pleaseth the.
American Standard Version
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
Bible in Basic English
Let your servant now go back again, so that when death comes to me, it may be in my town and by the resting-place of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham: let him go with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
O let thy seruaunt turne backe agayne, that I may dye in myne owne citie, and [be buryed] in the graue of my father & of my mother: Beholde, here is thy seruaunt Chimham, let him go with my lorde the king, and do to him what shall please thee.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Thy servant would but just go over the Jordan with the king; and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
King James Version (1611)
Let thy seruant, I pray thee, turne backe againe, that I may die in mine owne citie, and be buried by the graue of my father, and of my mother: but behold thy seruant Chimham, let him go ouer with my lord the king, and doe to him what shall seeme good vnto thee.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Let, I pray thee, thy servant remain, and I will die in my city, by the tomb of my father and of my mother. And, behold, thy servant Chamaam shall go over with my lord the king; and do thou to him as it seems good in thine eyes.
English Revised Version
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.
Berean Standard Bible
Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
but Y biseche, that Y thi seruaunt turne ayen, and die in my citee, and be biried bisidis the sepulcre of my fadir and of my modir; forsothe Chamaam is thi seruaunt, my lord the kyng, go he with thee, and do thou to hym that that semeth good to thee.
Young's Literal Translation
Let, I pray thee, thy servant turn back again, and I die in mine own city, near the burying-place of my father and of my mother, -- and lo, thy servant Chimham, let him pass over with my lord the king, and do thou to him that which [is] good in thine eyes.'
Update Bible Version
Let your slave, I pray you, turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But look, your slave Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.
Webster's Bible Translation
Let thy servant, I pray thee, return again, that I may die in my own city, [and be buried] by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to thee.
World English Bible
Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.
New King James Version
Please let your servant turn back again, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you."
New Life Bible
Let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. And do for him what is good in your eyes."
New Revised Standard
Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own town, near the graves of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him whatever seems good to you."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, by the grave of my father, and my mother. But here is thy servant Chimham - let him pass over with my lord the king, and do unto him that which may be good in thine eyes.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I beseech thee let thy servant return, and die in my own city, and be buried by the sepulchre of my father, and of my mother. But there is thy servant Chamaam, let him go with thee, my lord, the king, and do to him whatsoever seemeth good to thee.
Revised Standard Version
Pray let your servant return, that I may die in my own city, near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do for him whatever seems good to you."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight."

Contextual Overview

31 Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. 32 He was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. 33 "Come across with me and live in Jerusalem," the king said to Barzillai. "I will take care of you there." 34 "No," he replied, "I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem. 35 I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king. 36 Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need! 37 Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him." 38 "Good," the king agreed. "Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want." 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed Barzillai and kissed him, Barzillai returned to his own home.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Let thy: The whole of this little episode is extremely interesting, and contains an affecting description of the infirmities of old age. The venerable and kind Barzillai was fourscore years old; his ear was become dull of hearing, and his relish for even royal dainties was gone: the evil days had arrived in which he was constrained to say, "I have no pleasure in them" - Ecclesiastes 12:1. As he was too old either to enjoy the pleasures of a court, or to be of any further service to the king, he finishes his affecting address to the aged monarch with the request, that he would suffer him to enjoy what old men naturally desire, to "die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and mother;" at the same time commending his son Chimham to his kind offices.

I may die: Genesis 48:21, Joshua 23:14, Luke 2:29, Luke 2:30, 2 Timothy 4:6, 2 Peter 1:14

by the grave: Genesis 47:30, Genesis 49:29-31, Genesis 50:13, 1 Kings 13:22

Chimham: 2 Samuel 19:40, 1 Kings 2:7, Jeremiah 41:17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:5 - the king's Philemon 1:10 - my son

Cross-References

Genesis 19:1
That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.
Genesis 19:18
"Oh no, my lord!" Lot begged.
Genesis 19:25
He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.
Genesis 19:27
Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord 's presence.
Genesis 19:31
One day the older daughter said to her sister, "There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can't get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children.
Numbers 21:29
What sorrow awaits you, O people of Moab! You are finished, O worshipers of Chemosh! Chemosh has left his sons as refugees, his daughters as captives of Sihon, the Amorite king.
Deuteronomy 2:9
the Lord warned us, ‘Do not bother the Moabites, the descendants of Lot, or start a war with them. I have given them Ar as their property, and I will not give you any of their land.'"
Deuteronomy 2:19
and enter the land of the Ammonites, the descendants of Lot. But do not bother them or start a war with them. I have given the land of Ammon to them as their property, and I will not give you any of their land.'"
Deuteronomy 23:3
"No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants for ten generations may be admitted to the assembly of the Lord .
Ruth 4:10
And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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 usually choose to be buried:

but behold, thy servant Chimham: who was his son; and so the Syriac and Arabic versions express it, my son Chimham:

let him go over with my lord the king; not only over Jordan, but to Jerusalem with him:

and do to him what shall seem good unto thee; advance him, and put him into any post or office the king should think fit, or bestow a pension upon him, or give him an estate to live upon, or whatever he pleased.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 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 Barzillai.


 
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