“And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man.” 2 Samuel 19:31-32
There is another lesson we learn as we read the story of the last days of David. After Absalom, David’s son, is killed (really murdered) in battle, David returns to his castle in Jerusalem He is a distraught and
defeated man, His own general disobeyed his order and killed his son yet David feels the weight of responsibility for all that has happened on his own shoulders. Yet as he travels back God provides support for his troubles soul.
Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim We have met
Barzillai (his name means “man of iron”) before in 2 Sam. 17:28-29.
When David was chased from the palace by Absalom’s rebellion he did not have the supplies he needed to provide for his people. Barzillai, an old but wealthy man, provided beds, food and earthen ware to sustain the king.
There is another point here. When Barzillai provided for David he did not know whether David would live or die at the hand of his rebellious son Absalom. Yet he honored the king’s position as given by God and supported him no matter if that meant he would die as a traitor later. He gave to David (really God) expecting nothing in return.
Finally, we see in Barzillai how wealth and Godliness go together. Jesus told the parable of the rich foolish man who laid up treasure for himself but was not rich (or wise) toward God. Barzillai used the wealth God gave him to lay up treasure in heaven. He was rich toward God by using his wealth to support God’s servants and God’s work.
Went across the Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. Upon hearing the king will return to Jerusalem Barzillai goes to escort him back to the Jordan River. This was Barzillai’s home area and he wanted to be sure the king traveled safely as he journeyed back. Why is this important? Barzillai knew God had made the Davidic Covenant with David. If David died and Absalom survived (a strong possibility when David arrived in Gilead), God’s promise
would not be fulfilled. So God led Barzillai to accompany his king and ensure His safe return to Jerusalem.
Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty years old. God makes it a point for us to know Barzillai’s age. Again there is a lesson here. It does not matter how old or how young one is, it is never too late to serve the living and true God. It may not be a role that others consider meaningful – just to come along side others God has called to do His work. But if God called you to do it, in His eyes, it is as meaningful as the work of the king.
What can we learn? We see two important lessons. Barzillai shows us the desire of God’s servant to be faithful to God’s word despite the circumstances of the time; a danger to us because of the age we live in. Barzillai teaches us that when God shows us a need, we should respond.
Second we see the situation from David’s eyes. He went from a king to a pauper. He lost everything he had. He could not even provide for those loyal to him. Yet in his destitute condition God fulfills His promise to provide his needs. We may be in desperate straits but God’s promises never fail. Be an encouragement to others like Barzillai was to King David.