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[272]
But David desired Barzillai the Gileadite, that great and good man,
and one that had made a plentiful provision for him at Mahanaim, and had
conducted him as far as Jordan, to accompany him to Jerusalem, for he promised
to treat him in his old age with all manner of respect - to take care of
him, and provide for him. But Barzillai was so desirous to live at home,
that he entreated him to excuse him from attendance on him; and said that
his age was too great to enjoy the pleasures [of a court,] since he was
fourscore years old, and was therefore making provision for his death and
burial: so he desired him to gratify him in this request, and dismiss him;
for he had no relish of his meat, or his drink, by reason of his age; and
that his ears were too much shut up to hear the sound of pipes, or the
melody of other musical instruments, such as all those that live with kings
delight in. When he entreated for this so earnestly, the king said, "I
dismiss thee, but thou shalt grant me thy son Chimham, and upon him I will
bestow all sorts of good things." So Barzillai left his son with him,
and worshipped the king, and wished him a prosperous conclusion of all
his affairs according to his own mind, and then returned home; but David
came to Gilgal, having about him half the people [of Israel], and the [whole]
tribe of Judah.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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