Who was Barzillai in the Bible?

Gileadite of Rogelim, who liberally supplied David with provisions when he fled from Absalom. For his faithful services David invited him to return with him to Jerusalem; but being 80 years old he pleaded his great age and declined the honour, but requested that Chimham might go in his stead. 2 Sam. 17:27; 2 Sam. 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:7.

And what was the cause of this shame and degradation? Why could these persons not trace their genealogy? Long years before, one of their forefathers married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite. No doubt it was considered a very good match for the young priest, and doubtless it brought with it wealth, riches and honour; for we have seen that Barzillai was a very great man, a very noble character (his very name meant "Iron of the Lord" to indicate he was "most firm and true"), and he was so immensely wealthy, that as we have seen, he could from his own private means take care of the king during his rejection.

At this juncture, when the fortunes of David were at the lowest ebb, Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai declared themselves on his side, as they met him and his company at Mahanaim, and brought with them what they felt must be needed. David had not summoned them to entertain him: no superior force compelled them to yield up to the king what they possessed. They brought of their own accord such things as were suited for the occasion. David was at Mahanaim, but Machir belonged to Lo-debar, and Barzillai to Rogelim. What distance there was between these two places and the Levitical city, the scene of Jacob's meeting with the angels of God, has not been ascertained: but this at least is clear, these three men made advances to David, and Barzillai apparently surpassed them all as he "provided the king of sustenance whilst he lay at Mahanaim." Very marked then was their attitude at this time, most acceptable to David, and we may surely add, pleasing to the Spirit of God, who has seen fit so fully to notice it.

But who are these who rise to the surface at such a moment, and choose to come forth and take sides with him who suffers reproach so patiently? Shobi is of the Ammonites, the inveterate enemies to the people of God, whose forefathers were forbidden to the tenth generation to enter the congregation of the Lord, because they despised and neglected Israel as they came out of Egypt (Deut. 23:3). But here is a descendant who seems to retrieve their character, and who seizes the opportunity of showing his love and loyalty to God's king, and to his own victor; for David had conquered "the city of waters" - a little faint gleaming of "when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." Machir issues from a place of "no pasture," but he too found something to bring to the king in his calamity. Then the aged Barzillai from Gilead, a worthy countryman of the restorer of the ten tribes - Elijah the prophet; veritable descendant of him who was separated from his brethren - Joseph, the ruler of Egypt. These all come from various parts of the country, drawn from home comforts and relationships by the all-absorbing influence of one person, that one man, and that man in the worst of circumstances of weariness - hunger and thirst. But why not join the ranks of the usurper, whose forces were accumulating with the hour, and who to sight had it all his own way? Because faith, which pierces the present, and looks at the future, knew that that rejected one, in distress lying at Mahanaim, was God's king, however much appearances belied the fact; and hence they seize the opportunity to have fellowship with the chosen of God, and to minister what is most acceptable; for affection always understands its object's needs.

Barzillai was a great man, a man of note and substance in the land of Gilead, beyond the Jordan. But he never appears in the history till David is distressed; and he is willing to disappear as soon as that distress is over. He was the friend in need. But though unknown before, his mind had been that of a man of God, in secret, like many in every day of Israel's or the church's history; for he takes the path of the Spirit in a moment when nature in even some of its refined and moral judgments would have gone astray. He treats David's sorrow as a sacred thing, and adds not to the grief of him whom God in holy gracious discipline is wounding. He heartily joins Machir and Shobi in sending to David in his hunger and thirst and nakedness. (See 2 Sam. 17, 2 Sam. 19)

Now Shobi and Barzillai come forth to minister to him and his men with princely liberality. In short, the thoughts of many hearts were revealed in the season of David's sorrow. It was manifest who loved David for his own sake; and, no doubt, he returned to his house and his throne with a fuller and deeper confidence in the genuine affection of those around him.

There is always an Abigail to own the fugitive David as the anointed of Jehovah, and to supply him with food in the wilderness. And when David's royal rights are disowned in Jerusalem, Barzillai, the aged Gileadite, brings lavishly of his substance to the impoverished and exiled king.

David was much more king in his treatment of Barzillai, whose devotedness brought him to show his thankfulness for David's return, and accompany him over the Jordan (v.31). His riches had enabled him to furnish David with supplies during his exile from Jerusalem, and now David wants to return his kindness by providing for Barzillai at Jerusalem. But Barzillai wisely declines this. At his advanced age of 80 years there was no good reason for his leaving his accustomed home to seek to enjoy the pleasures of royal living. He would go across the Jordan in order to enjoy the king's company for this brief time, but desired to return to his own home (vs.36-37). However, he asks that his servant Chimham should be given the favor of the king's kindness in this way. The younger man would no doubt have opportunity of advancement when brought to the king's court. Barzillai requests that David do for him as David saw fit. But David answers that he would do for Chimham whatever Barzillai desired, and anything more that he might request. Leaving David after crossing the Jordan, he would of course have to return back over the Jordan to his home in Gilead (v.39).

"Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old; and he had provided the king of sustenance while he was at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man." The king invites Barzillai to go with him to Jerusalem, "and I will feed thee with me." But Barzillai feels he is too old for this, and he had not served his rejected Master for reward or acknowledgement; it was love that so liberally gave of his substance 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), "And why should the king recompense it me with such a reward?" And then, though he would return home himself, he offers his son Chimham to go with the king; "and do to him what shall seem good unto thee." And the king answered, "Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee." (2 Samuel 19).

In contrast to Mephibosheth Barzillai (vv. 31-40) is tested by the offer of temporal blessings. He was very rich but very different from the young man whom “Jesus loved,” and he had placed his fortune at the king's disposition during his stay at Manahaim (v. 32). His great age had not hindered him from giving himself, body and goods, in service to David. David offers him a reward proportionate to his devotion: “Pass thou over with me, and I will maintain thee with me in Jerusalem” (v. 33). But Barzillai had not labored for a reward, and judging himself unworthy of it, he refuses. “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am this day eighty years old: can I discern between good and bad? can thy servant taste what I eat and what I drink? … why should thy servant be yet a burden to my lord the king?” (vv. 34-35). Let his son Chimham profit from the fruit of his labor: far from opposing this, Barzillai rejoices in it (vv. 37-38). Later, like Mephibosheth at David's table, Barzillai's sons eat at Solomon's table (1 Kings 2:7).