2 Samuel 19:31–40

David measured out life to Shimei, and possessions in the land to Mephibosheth. For Barzillai it was nearness to the king's person, and eating with him. "Come over with me, and I will feed you with me at Jerusalem." Barzillai had served David when he was beyond the Jordan. Now David would have Barzillai beside him ever after, seeing his royal state, blessed with the favour of the Lord's anointed. "With me" — nothing less than this — was what he desired for Barzillai: with himself, and in Jerusalem. And as the words "with me" fall on the ear, do they not recall the language of David's Son, speaking to His Father in front of His disciples? "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am."

He had not worked with any view of reward, richly though he deserved it. He had thought of the king in his rejection, and had done what he could to help him... but to go to Jerusalem as a reward for his service was more than he felt able to take on. Most men act the other way round. They make an excuse to avoid the service, but grab at the reward! Barzillai was not like this; he thought of the king and acted at once.

Barzillai feels he is too old for this. He had not served his rejected Master for reward or thanks. It was love that gave so freely of his goods to the king in those darkest of days, and love does not give for reward. But he adds — as I suppose we all will add in that coming day — "Why should the king repay me with such a reward?" Then, though he would go home himself, he offers his son Chimham to go with the king: "do to him what seems good to you."

We find no mention of the "man of eighty years," Barzillai the Gileadite, in the battle. Perhaps he was too old for active service, we might say; but not too old to welcome the king on his return. Surely not; we may grow too old to preach the gospel, but never too old to welcome the King.

In contrast to Mephibosheth, the offer of earthly blessings puts Barzillai to the test. He was very rich, but very different from the young man whom "Jesus loved." During David's stay at Mahanaim he had placed his fortune at the king's disposal. His great age had not hindered him from giving himself, body and goods, in service to David... But Barzillai had not laboured for a reward, and judging himself unworthy of it, he refuses.

"Do to him what seems good to you" had been Barzillai's prayer. "I will do to him what seems good to you" was David's promise, reaching beyond what his servant had asked. And more than this, he told him he had gained the king's ear. What a place to occupy! Honour, wealth, rank are nothing compared with this.

Barzillai's age stopped David from doing all he wished for him, and his hasty action over Mephibosheth shows that we have only a man like ourselves here. But nothing can stop the Lord Jesus rewarding, as He will, all who have followed Him in His rejection, and no one will suffer injustice on that day... He will prove to have been in their thoughts, and they will be before His face when He takes the power to Himself and reigns.

To Shimei he measured out life. To Mephibosheth, possessions in the land. To Barzillai, nearness to the king himself and a place eating with him. "Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem." Barzillai had served David while the king was beyond the Jordan. Now David wanted Barzillai beside him for good, seeing his royal state, blessed with the favour of the Lord's anointed. "With me" — nothing less than this — was what he desired for Barzillai: with himself, and that in Jerusalem.

His great age had not stopped him from giving himself, body and goods, in service to David. David offers him a reward to match his devotion. But Barzillai had not worked for a reward, and since he judges himself unworthy of it, he refuses.

At 80 years old he had no good reason to leave the home he knew and go after the pleasures of royal living. He would cross the Jordan to enjoy the king's company for that short time, but he wanted to go back to his own home.

He had not worked with any thought of reward, though he richly deserved it… Court life did not suit a man like him, because his age kept him from enjoying the pleasures of the king's house. When David was in need in the wilderness, his age did not stop him from bringing help in person. When the king was to cross back over the Jordan, he did not let the weakness of age keep him away… Most men act the other way: they put forward an excuse to avoid the service, but grab eagerly at the reward! Barzillai was not like this; he thought of the king and acted at once.

It was love that gave so freely of what he owned to the king in those darkest days, and love does not give for reward. But he adds, as I think we all will add in that coming day, "Why then should the king repay me with such a reward?"

"Do for him whatever seems good to you" had been Barzillai's prayer. "I will do for him whatever seems good to you" was David's promise. It went beyond the small thing his servant had asked. And more than this, he told him he had gained the king's ear. What a place this was to occupy! Honour, wealth, rank are nothing compared with this.

He rewards that devoted old man far beyond his own wishes, through his sons. At first only Chimham was in view; now all the sons of Barzillai have a right to a place at the king's table, in return for the faithfulness of their father… Let us remember this in our families. The devotion of parents to Christ is repaid in their children.

The lesson of all this history is plain, and we can see why it has been kept for us. The likenesses are clear, and so are the contrasts. Barzillai's age stopped David from doing for him what he wanted to do… But nothing can hinder the Lord Jesus rewarding as He will all who have followed Him in His rejection, and none will suffer injustice in that day. He will confess them before His Father, and before His angels.