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.