Barzillai: The Man WHo Grew Old Gracefully - 2 Samuel 17, 19, 1 Kings 2 - May 3, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Barzillai: The Man Who Grew Old Gracefully – May 3, 2009

This begins a new series of study entitled “Profiles in Character.”

We will have five (5) lessons studying five (5) different people in the Bible:

May 3 – Barzillai – A man in his eighties who brought provisions to King David and his men.

May 10 – Hannah – Hannah was barren and prayed for a son whom she promised to give back to GOD. GOD granted her requests and she gave birth to Samuel.

May 17 – Abigail – Abigail was a gracious woman who was married to a foolish, evil man.

May 24 – Barnabas – Barnabas was a great encourager.

May 31 – Philip – Philip loved to tell the Good News to others

Our scripture is 2 Samuel 17:27-29; 19:31-39; 1 Kings 2:1,7

As I prepared for this lesson, it brought back memories of people in my early developing years for whom I had great respect. They were “salt of the earth” type people who were wise and would give you the shirt off their backs. Sharing was a way of life and so was honesty and hard work. A person’s word was his/her bond.
Over the years we have all seen “greed” run rampant.

Our lesson today focuses on a man named Barzillai (bahr ZIL igh). His name means “made of iron.” He is eighty (80) years old and is wealthy. King David’s son, Absalom, led a rebellion against his father. Absalom had great appeal to the people and was very handsome. He had charisma. He convinced the people that he could rule better than his father King David. Absalom secretly plotted a revolt. King David learned of the plot and fled to Mahanaim (may huh NAY im) which is beyond the Jordan River. (Mahanaim is mentioned in Genesis 32:2.) There may have been a fortress in Mahanaim and that is why King David took his loyal army there. David likely had several thousand people in Mahanaim. They had left in a hurry so when they got to Mahanaim they needed provisions. This brings us to the role of three (3) men willing to help David. Our focus will be on Barzillai.

Since Absalom was pronounced king by his followers and he controlled Jerusalem, those helping David could be considered traitors. Yet they all took the chance. It could mean (speculation) that these men considered David as king because he was anointed by GOD and Absalom was not. For whatever reason, they took a chance of becoming an enemy of Absalom by helping David.

Barzillai saw the need of King David and took provisions to them a number of times while they were in Mahanaim. Barzillai was a wealthy man and he shared his wealth. This reveals the heart of Barzillai.

Absalom was counseled to launch a full scale attack on King David to assure victory. Absalom took that advice but in doing so, it allowed King David time to assemble a loyal army. Absalom was anointed king. Absalom appointed Amasa as the captain of his army and they crossed the Jordan to fight his father’s army. King David had an experienced army and they defeated Absalom’s army. Absalom tried to flee and his beautiful long hair got caught in the terebinth tree. King David had requested that Absalom be spared but Joab, King David’s captain, killed him. King David grieved over the death of his son.

Let’s read 2 Samuel 17:27-29:

27 When David came to Mahanaim (may huh NAY im), Shobi (SHOH bigh) son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir (MAY kihr) son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai (bahr ZIL igh) the Gileadite (GIL ih uh dight) from Rogelim (ROH guh lim) 28 brought beds, basins,[13] LXX reads brought 10 embroidered beds with double coverings, 10 vessels and pottery items. [They also brought]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,[14] LXX, Syr; MT adds roasted grain 29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese[15] Hb obscure from the herd for David and the people with him to eat. They had reasoned, “The people must be hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the desert.”

The three (3) men who provided provision to David and his army were Shobi, Machir and Barzillai. The provisions are listed in verses 28 and 29. The reason they provided them with these provisions was because they were hungry, exhausted and thirsty. Simply there was a need and they met their need.

I know after the Katrina hurricane, our church worked with a number of local people to provide shelter, furniture, clothes, food, transportation or fuel for several displaced people. It was to meet a need.

There are needs all around us every day. Some people depend on the generosity of others to live and others simply cannot provide for themselves. Mobile Meals provides food to people who cannot provide for themselves or would simply not eat because they could not prepare their food. The list of organization that help others is numerous and are hurting during these poor economic times.

After King David and his army had killed Absalom and defeated his army they could return to Jerusalem.

Let’s read 2 Samuel 19:31-37a:

31 Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim and accompanied the king to the Jordan River to see him off at the Jordan. 32 Barzillai was a very old man—80 years old—and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the needs of the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.[16] 2 Sm 17:27–29 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I’ll provide for you[17] LXX reads for your old age; Ru 4:15 at my side in Jerusalem.” 34 Barzillai replied to the king, “How many years of my life are left that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I’m now 80 years old. Can I discern what is pleasant and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Since your servant is only going with the king a little way across the Jordan, why should the king repay me with such a reward? 37 Please let your servant return so that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother.

Barzillai came down from Rogelim to bid farewell to David and his army. It is here we learn that Barzillai is eighty (80) years old. Life expectancy in that day is not known but thought to be between seventy (70) and eighty (80) years old. We know that King David was seventy (70) when he died and we know Barzillai was eighty (80).

King David invites Barzillai to come to Jerusalem with him and he would take care of him for the rest of his life. Barzillai tells David that since he is old and the typical aliments associated with aging had taken their toll on him – he could not taste what he eats or drinks and his hearing was gone – he did not want to be a burden to the king. Plus Barzillai did what he did for David and his army without expecting anything in return. He just wanted to stay close to his home town and die there.

David offered him the honor to live worry free for the rest of his life. The response of Barzillai again revealed his heart.

Let’s read 2 Samuel 19:37 b-39:

But here is your servant Chimham: let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.”[18] Lit what is good in your eyes 38 The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you,[19] Lit what is good in your eyes and whatever you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned to his home.

Instead of receiving the honor himself, Barzillai offered an alternative. He has a son named Chimham (KIM ham) and he can go with the king. King David agreed to take Chimham with him to Jerusalem. Barzillai and David bid farewell. Chimham went with David and Barzillai returned to his home.

A period of time goes by and David is on his death bed. He is instructing his son, Solomon, who will be the new king.

Let’s read 1 Kings 2:1,7:

1 As the time approached for David to die, he instructed his son Solomon,[1]

7 “Show loyalty to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table because they supported me when I fled from your brother Absalom.[8] 2 Sm 15:19–22

King David is on his death bed and is instructing Solomon and he gives specific instructions regarding the sons of Barzillai. The phrase “let them be among those who eat at your table” does not mean they will literally eat every meal at Solomon’s table but see that they are provided for. Make sure they have land to grow food, raise animals, a dwelling to live in because they took care of me and my men when they did not have too.

When we see a need, respond to that need. We may never receive recognition for doing the right thing while we are upon earth but GOD sees all, even a cup of cold water given to another, and it pleases HIM that we reach out to others. Most of us do not want to receive recognition for what we do but what we do reveals the character of our heart. GOD sees our heart and it pleases HIM when HIS children are obedient.
Growing old gracefully - As we grow older are we getting more crotchety or do we allow the love of GOD to flow through us?