שמואל ב, פרק י״ט, פסוק ל״ו

An aging loyalist respectfully declines a royal invitation to relocate to the palace, explaining that his advanced years bring physical and mental limitations that would make the move pointless for everyone involved. At eighty years old, his strength has faded, and his remaining time is short [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He presents a twofold argument to the king, reasoning that a life at court would offer no practical benefit to the monarch and no personal pleasure to himself [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].

Addressing the potential benefit to the crown, he questions his ability to distinguish between good and bad. The primary approach among commentators suggests that if the king intends to honor him with a seat on the royal advisory council, his mind is no longer sharp enough to offer sound counsel [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, [רש״י] interprets this lack of discernment not as a loss of wisdom, but simply as an inability to tell the difference between good and bad food. This perspective also notes a tradition from the Sages that his severe aging came upon him suddenly as a consequence of a life driven by lust.

Regarding his own potential enjoyment, he explains that the rewards of royal luxury are lost on him because his physical senses have dulled [מלבי״ם]. He can no longer taste or appreciate fine food and drink [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, his hearing has severely deteriorated due to the frailties of old age, leaving him unable to enjoy the melodies of male and female singers [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Given these profound limitations, he concludes that moving to the palace would not only fail to bring him joy, but it would also reduce him to an unnecessary burden on the king [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].