And the king answered, Chimham shal goe ouer with me, and I will doe to him that which shall seeme good vnto thee: and whatsoeuer thou shalt require of me, that will I doe for thee. 2 Samuel 19:38 (KJV)
This verse belongs to the narrative of King David’s return to Jerusalem after the disastrous rebellion of his son Absalom. The background is set in 2 Samuel 17, where Absalom’s revolt forced David to flee across the Jordan, and the climax of the conflict, including Absalom’s death, is recorded in 2 Samuel 18:6‑17. After the battle David mourned his son, and in 2 Samuel 19 Joab, commander of the army, urged the king to cease grieving and go back to the capital, where loyal supporters awaited him.
One of those supporters was Barzillai, an elderly and wealthy man from Gilead. Earlier, in 2 Samuel 17:27‑29, Barzillai had supplied David and his men with food and provisions while they were in exile. His generosity earned David’s deep gratitude. In response, David promises to honor Barzillai by inviting him to accompany the king to Jerusalem and by pledging to fulfill whatever Barzillai may request.
The verse specifically mentions Chimham. Both drafts note that the biblical text names Chimham, while later tradition often identifies Chimham as a son, relative, or servant of Barzillai. Draft 1 suggests Chimham may have been Barzillai’s son or companion who had traveled with him during the exile, whereas Draft 3 points out that the name does not appear in the immediate biblical context and is an extra‑biblical association. Regardless of the precise relationship, David’s inclusion of Chimham demonstrates his desire to extend honor not only to Barzillai but also to those closely connected with him.
David’s assurance, “whatever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee,” underscores a royal commitment to reward loyalty and kindness. The passage serves as a reminder that leaders should recognize and reciprocate the faithful support of others, valuing both the giver and his household. In the broader story, the invitation to Barzillai and Chimham illustrates the restoration of order after turmoil and the importance of gratitude in covenant‑faithful relationships.
