33. David said to Barzillai, “Cross the river with me. Come with me to Jerusalem, and I will take care of you.”
34. But Barzillai answered the king, “Do you know how old I am? Do you think I can go with you to Jerusalem?
35. I am 80 years old! I am too old to taste what I eat or drink. I am too old to hear the voices of men and women singers. Why should you be bothered with me?
36. I am not worthy of a reward from you. But I will cross the Jordan River with you.
37. Then please let me go back so I may die in my own city. Let me die near the grave of my father and mother. But here is Kimham. Let him go with you, my master and king. Do with him whatever you want.”
38. The king answered, “Kimham will go with me. I will do for him anything you wish. And I will do anything for you that you wish.”
39. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned home. And the king and all the people crossed the Jordan.
40. When the king crossed the Jordan to Gilgal, Kimham went with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel led David across the river.
41. Soon all the men of Israel came to the king. They said to him, “Our brothers, the men of Judah, stole you away. They brought you and your family across the Jordan River with your men! Why did they do this?”
42. All the men of Judah answered the Israelites, “We did this because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry about it? We have not eaten food at the king’s expense! He did not give us any gifts!”
43. The men of Israel answered the people of Judah, “We have ten tribes in the kingdom. So we have more right to David than you do! But you ignored us! We were the first ones to talk about bringing our king back!”But the men of Judah spoke even more unkindly than the men of Israel.