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?

2 SAMUEL 19:35KJV
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2 Samuel 19:35 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 19:35 mean?

2 Samuel 19:35 records an elderly man explaining to King David that, at eighty years old, he can no longer enjoy or properly experience the pleasures of life, such as tasting food, drinking, or listening to music. He humbly asks why he should become a burden to the king by joining him, since his age limits his abilities.

In this verse, Barzillai is speaking to David as David returns to Jerusalem after Absalom’s rebellion. Barzillai uses honest questions to show his physical limitations due to age, emphasizing that he cannot discern (judge) between good and evil, nor enjoy the senses of taste or hearing as he once did. Barzillai’s words highlight both his humility and his desire not to impose on the king.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 19:35

  • "discern" (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means "to know" or "to perceive." Barzillai is not just talking about moral judgment but also about his fading ability to distinguish or appreciate things in general.
  • "taste" (טָעַם, ta‘am): This verb refers to the physical act of tasting, but it can also suggest the ability to enjoy or savor. Barzillai is saying he can no longer truly enjoy food or drink.
  • "burden" (מַשָּׂא, massa’): This word means a load or something carried. Barzillai is expressing concern that his presence would be a weight or inconvenience to David, not a help.

Why 2 Samuel 19:35 matters

  • This verse clears up that Barzillai’s refusal is not out of disrespect or lack of gratitude, but out of humility and realism about his age and abilities.
  • The verse highlights the respect and honesty in Barzillai’s relationship with David, showing a model of humility and self-awareness.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why Barzillai suggests that someone else (his servant) go in his place, which becomes important in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“taste” Hebrew H2938 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

“fourscore” Hebrew H8084 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
  • 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
  • 2 Chronicles 14:8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour.

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

“men” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.