“Barzillai”

October 13, 2018

“Barzillai”

Blessings folk!

Another “supporter” comes before King David…

2 Sa 19:31-39

Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim;
and he went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan.

Now Barzillai was very old, being eighty years old;
and he had sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.

The king said to Barzillai,
“You cross over with me and I will sustain you in Jerusalem with me.”

But Barzillai said to the king,
“How long have I yet to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?

“I am now eighty years old.
Can I distinguish between good and bad?
Or can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink?
Or can I hear anymore the voice of singing men and women?
Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?

“Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king.
Why should the king compensate me with this reward?

“Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. However, here is your servant Chimham, let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”

The king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what is good in your sight; and whatever you require of me, I will do for you.”

All the people crossed over the Jordan and the king crossed too.
The king then kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.

Barzillai had supplied King David with food/supplies when David fled.

2Sa 17:27-29

Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,

brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds,
honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”


He had sustained the King.
He was a great man.

Now David was returning to Jerusalem as King.
He wanted Barzillai to go with him.
Yet, Barzillai refused.

Why?

He did not want to be a burden.
He was old…80.
He had lost much of his sight…discerning good/bad.
He had lost his taste.
He had lost much of his hearing.

All he could do was be with David.

Barzillai offered his servant Chimham.
It looks as if Chimham was a liaison between David and Barzillai.
David told Barzillai that whatever was required he would provide.

David would now help Barzillai?

Barzillai asked for permission to return home.

David granted permission.

All the people now crossed over the Jordan.
David blessed Barzillai.
Barzillai returned home…for the balance of his life.

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