SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:35
Yo soy hoy día de edad de ochenta años, que ya no haré diferencia entre lo bueno y lo malo. ¿Tomará gusto ahora tu siervo en lo que comiere o bebiere? ¿Oiré más la voz de los cantores y de las cantoras? ¿Para qué, pues, sería aún tu siervo molesto a mi señor el rey?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 19:35
Verse 35. Can thy servant taste what I eat] Here is at once an affecting description of the infirmities of old age; and a correct account of the mode of living at an Eastern court in ancient times. Barzillai was fourscore years old; his ear was become dull of hearing, and his relish for his food was gone: he therefore appears to have been not only an old man, but an infirm old man. Besides delicate meats and drinks, we find that vocal music constituted a principal part of court entertainments: male and female singers made a necessary appendage to these banquets, as they do in most Eastern courts to the present day. As David was a most sublime poet, and emphatically styled the sweet singer of Israel, he no doubt had his court well supplied with vocal as well as instrumental performers; and, probably, with poets and poetesses; for it is not likely that he was the only poet of his time, though he undoubtedly was the most excellent.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 35. I [am] this day fourscore years old , etc.] Not that that day was precisely his birthday, but that he was about such an age, very little under or over; very probably he was full that age: [and] can I discern between good and evil ? signifying, either that his intellectual powers were impaired, and could not distinguish what was right and wrong, and so could be of no service to David in his privy council, or any court of judicature, he was fit for no post or office under him; or that his natural senses were not quick to distinguish between good and bad, particularly between good and bad food, which he could neither discern by smell nor taste, as follows: can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink ? have any gust or relish of, or take any delight or pleasure in eating and drinking; so that the most delicious food, and richest wines, and all the dainties of a king’s table, would signify nothing to him: can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women ? either being so deaf that he could not hear them at all, or however not with any delight; the evil days being come upon him, in which he could take no pleasure in the diversions of a court: wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king ? he could neither take any pleasure himself, nor be of any service to the king, but on the contrary a burden to him; not only on account of his sustenance, and being obliged to have servants to attend him, which might be the least part of his burden, but his company would be disagreeable and troublesome, through the infirmities of old age upon him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 31-39 - Barzillai thought he had done himself honour in doing the king an service. Thus, when the saints shall be called to inherit the kingdom they will be amazed at the recompence being so very far beyond the service, Mt 25:37. A good man would not go any where to be burdensome or, will rather be so to his own house than to another's. It is goo for all, but especially becomes old people, to think and speak much of dying. The grave is ready for me, let me go and get ready for it.
Original Hebrew
בן 1121 שׁמנים 8084 שׁנה 8141 אנכי 595 היום 3117 האדע 3045 בין 996 טוב 2896 לרע 7451 אם 518 יטעם 2938 עבדך 5650 את 853 אשׁר 834 אכל 398 ואת 853 אשׁר 834 אשׁתה 8354 אם 518 אשׁמע 8085 עוד 5750 בקול 6963 שׁרים 7891 ושׁרות 7891 ולמה 4100 יהיה 1961 עבדך 5650 עוד 5750 למשׂא 4853 אל 413 אדני 113 המלך׃ 4428
