34. The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for your old age as my guest in Jerusalem.”
35. But Barzillai answered the king: “How much longer have I to live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?
36. I am now eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and evil? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks, or still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be any further burden to my lord the king?
37. In escorting the king across the Jordan, your servant is doing little enough! Why should the king give me this reward?
38. Please let your servant go back to die in my own city by the tomb of my father and mother. Here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever seems good to you.”
39. Then the king said to him, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and for him I will do whatever seems good to you. And anything else you would like me to do for you, I will do.”
40. Then all the people crossed over the Jordan but the king remained; he kissed Barzillai and bade him farewell as he returned to his own place.
41. Finally the king crossed over to Gilgal, accompanied by Chimham. All of the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel had escorted the king across.
42. But then all these Israelites began coming to the king and saying, “Why did our brothers the Judahites steal you away and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all David’s men?”
43. All the Judahites replied to the men of Israel: “Because the king is our relative. Why are you angry over this? Have we had anything to eat at the king’s expense? Or have portions from his table been given to us?”