32. Barzillai was eighty years old. He was very rich and had sent food to David in Mahanaim.
33. David said to him, “Cross the river and go to Jerusalem with me. I will take care of you.”
34. Barzillai answered:Your Majesty, why should I go to Jerusalem? I don't have much longer to live.
35. I'm already eighty years old, and my body is almost numb. I can't taste my food or hear the sound of singing, and I would be nothing but a burden.
36. I'll cross the river with you, but I'll only go a little way on the other side. You don't have to be so kind to me.
37. Just let me return to my home town, where I can some day be buried near my father and mother. My servant Chimham can go with you, and you can treat him as your own.
38. David said, “I'll take Chimham with me, and whatever you ask me to do for him, I'll do. And if there's anything else you want, I'll also do that.”
39. David's soldiers went on across the river, while he stayed behind to say goodbye to Barzillai and to wish him well. Barzillai returned home, but
40. Chimham crossed the river with David.All of Judah's army and half of Israel's army were there to help David cross the river.
41. The soldiers from Israel came to him and said, “Why did our relatives from Judah sneak you and your family and your soldiers across the Jordan?”
42. The people of Judah answered, “Why are you so angry? We are the king's relatives. He didn't give us any food, and we didn't take anything for ourselves!”
43. Those from Israel said, “King David belongs to us ten times more than he belongs to you. Why didn't you think we were good enough to help you? After all, we were the first ones to think of bringing him back!”The people of Judah spoke more harshly than the people of Israel.