Definition: Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, [and be buried] by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 2 Samuel 19:37 together. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling verse in the Bible. Here's an explanation in plain language: The Basic Situation: This verse comes from the story of David’s life – after he becomes king of Israel. He’s facing a difficult situation where he’s being pressured to make a huge, potentially disastrous decision. Let’s unpack the parts: “Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again…” - This is David pleading with God to stop him from doing something incredibly risky and potentially dangerous. He's essentially begging for a chance to live his life without this huge mistake. “…that I may die in my own city, [and be buried] by the grave of my father and of my mother.” - This is the core of the problem. David is proposing he wants to die in his own city . He's wanting to be buried alongside his parents – a deeply poignant request. The "grave of my father and of my mother" is a very symbolic way of saying he’s asking for a peaceful, private burial in a place connected to his lineage. “But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.” – This is where it gets really complex and potentially unsettling. He's asking God to order the King, David’s successor, to handle things in a specific way for him. It means: “Please, let the King do this for me.” What does this mean? This passage suggests that David is deeply concerned about his own safety and well-being. He's worried that if he continues down this path – making a big, potentially reckless decision – it will put him in danger. He’s essentially asking God to protect him and ensure his survival, even at the cost of his own life. Important Context - It’s about a potential betrayal: This verse is often interpreted as a moment of profound regret and a plea for divine intervention. David was involved in a significant act of betrayal – he helped his brother-in-law, Absalom, who plotted against him, leading to the downfall of his reign. This verse could be seen as a desperate attempt to regain control and avoid further repercussions. In short: This is a moment of intense anxiety and a request for divine protection stemming from a situation where David feels he’s putting himself in danger. --- Disclaimer: I want to emphasize that this passage is complex and open to interpretation. Different theologians and biblical scholars have offered various explanations over the centuries. This explanation is based on generally accepted understanding of the text. Would you like me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail (e.g., its historical context)? Discuss the theological implications? Provide different interpretations?