Barzillai was described as a wealthy man from Rogelim. In 2 Samuel
17:27 we are told that he was one of those that brought provisions for David as
he was making his escape from Absalom. Together with Shobi the son of
Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel
from Lo-debar, Barzillai 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 (David), to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry and weary
and thirsty in the wilderness.”
In these nine verses, Barzillai, one of those three benefactors of David,
came to the Jordan to accompany the king across the Jordan. Being grateful for
all that Barzillai had done for him while he was at Mahanaim and for his
presence now, the king invited the 80 years old Barzillai to join him in
Jerusalem. David wanted to reciprocate his kindness and to take care of him for
the remaining years of his life. But Barzillai courteously declined the offer. While
he appreciated the king’s offer, he turned down the kind gesture. At his age,
the pleasures of life no longer appealed to him. He was contented with the
ordinary things of life for he only wanted to live a simple life. So he
requested the king to let him return to his own land where he could die
peacefully and be buried in his father’s land.
However, he requested David to take Chimham, his son with him to
Jerusalem. The king agreed to take Chimham with him to reciprocate what
Barzillai had done for him. He will show kindness to Barzillai’s son
and promised to do for that son whatever the father deemed appropriate.
David then bade farewell and blessed Barzillai with a kiss and sent him away,
before he returned to his place.
David showed himself to be a
grateful person. What he offered Barzillai reminds us of the proverbs, “one
good turn deserves another.” We must seek to return a favor to someone who had
been kind to us. This in essence is a demonstration of one’s gratitude. We must
seek to live life gratefully. Life really changes when we make gratitude a way
of life. It changes our focus from ourselves to the people who have blessed us.
Let us be grateful people. This would require that we pause often and give
thanks to God and the people who have contributed and impacted our lives. An
attitude of gratitude will always bring joy into our hearts!
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