2 Samuel 19:39

19:31-39 Barzillai thought he had done himself honour in doing the king any 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 good 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.

And all the people went over Jordan,.... That were with David: and when the king was come over; over Jordan, had got to the other side of it, whither Barzillai accompanied him: the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; took his leave of him with a kiss, as friends were wont to do at parting, thanked him for all his favours, wished him well, and prayed to God to bless him with all blessings temporal and spiritual: and he returned to his own place: his own city Rogelim, having crossed over again the river Jordan.

The "people" is the term especially applied in this narrative to David's followers 2 Samuel 15:17 ; 2 Samuel 16:14 ; 2 Samuel 17:2 ; 2 Samuel 18:1-2 ; 2 Samuel 19:2-3 . They crossed by the ford, while David and his household, accompanied by Barzillai and Chimham, came over in the ferry.

Of my bone ... - Render as in preceding verse, "art thou not my bone and my flesh?" It is curious to note how the phrase is used in 2 Samuel 5:1 of common descent from Israel, in 2 Samuel 19:12 of the closer kindred of the tribe of Judah, and in this verse of the yet nearer kindred between David and Amasa his sister's son. Captain ... in the room of Joab - It is very plain that David felt the weight of Joab's overbearing influence to be very oppressive (compare 2 Samuel 19:22; 2 Samuel 3:39; 2 Samuel 16:10). He was, at this time, very angry with Joab for killing Absalom; and so, thinking it of vital importance to win over Amasa and the army of Judah, he did not scruple to offer him Joab's high post.

Thus all the people went over the Jordan; and when the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai (to take leave of him: vid., Ruth 1:9 ); and he (Barzillai) blessed him, and turned to his place (returned home). Barzillai only escorted the king over the Jordan, and the conversation ( 2 Samuel 19:31-38 ) probably took place as they were crossing.