Bible Strands
2 Samuel 19:39
So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David completes his return across the Jordan River after his political restoration, personally seeing off his elderly patron Barzillai after the entire army has already crossed.
The words — וַ/יִּשַּׁ֨ק (va/i.yi.Shak) records the physical act of kissing, while עָבָ֑ר ('a.Var) describes the king’s literal passage over the river.
The thread — This sequence of crossing and blessing parallels Laban’s farewell kisses and blessings in Genesis 31:55, the parting kiss in Ruth 1:14, and Jacob’s blessing of Pharaoh in Genesis 47:7.
Why it lands — The verse documents the conclusion of a military and political transition through concrete actions rather than rhetoric, requiring the reader to note how royal authority is exercised through physical departure and formal blessing without elaborating on emotional or theological implications.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place.
Cross-references
- Genesis 31:55 Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home.
- Ruth 1:14 Again they wept aloud, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
- Genesis 47:7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
- Genesis 14:19 and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
- Genesis 28:3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.
- Genesis 45:15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.
- Genesis 47:10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from his presence.
- Numbers 24:25 Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
- 1 Samuel 24:22 So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.
- 2 Samuel 6:18 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts.