28. You could have killed anyone in my entire family, Your Majesty. Instead, you’ve seated me with those who eat at your table. So I no longer have the right to complain to the king.”
29. The king asked him, “Why do you keep talking about it? I’ve said that you and Ziba should divide the land.”
30. “Let him take it all,” Mephibosheth told the king. “It’s enough for me that you’ve come home safely.”
31. Barzillai, the man from Gilead, came from Rogelim with the king to the Jordan River to send him on his way.
32. Barzillai was an elderly man, 80 years old. Because he was a very rich man, he had provided the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim.
33. The king told Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. I’ll provide for you in Jerusalem.”
34. Barzillai replied, “I don’t have much longer to live. I shouldn’t go with Your Majesty to Jerusalem.
35. I’m 80 years old now. How can I tell what is pleasant and what is not? Can I taste what I eat or drink? Can I still hear the singing of men and women? Why should I now become a burden to you, Your Majesty?
36. I’ll just cross the Jordan River with you. Why should you give me such a reward?
37. Please let me go back so that I can die in my city near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Chimham. Let him go across with you. And do for him what you think is right.”
38. “Chimham will go across with me,” the king said. “I will do for him whatever you want. Anything you wish I’ll do for you.”
39. All the troops crossed the Jordan River, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai went back home.
40. The king crossed the river to Gilgal, and Chimham went with him. All the troops from Judah and half of the troops from Israel brought the king across.