24. Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
25. When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Mephibosheth, why didn’t you come with me? ”
26. “My lord the king,” he replied, “my servant Ziba betrayed me. Actually your servant said: ‘I’ll saddle the donkey for myself so that I may ride it and go with the king’ — for your servant is lame.
27. Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the Angel of God, so do whatever you think best.
28. For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table. So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king? ”
29. The king said to him, “Why keep on speaking about these matters of yours? I hereby declare: you and Ziba are to divide the land.”
30. Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has come to his palace safely, let Ziba take it all! ”
31. Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan.
32. Barzillai was a very old man — 80 years old — and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
33. The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”
34. Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king?
35. I’m now 80 years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
36. Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward?
37. Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham: let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”
38. The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.”
39. So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.