2 Samuel 19:31 - Meaning and Application

David had already honored the joy of his return by forgiving the wrongs done to him. Here he honors it again by giving a generous reward for the kindness shown to him. Barzillai the Gileadite, a leading man from Rogelim near Mahanaim, had been the most faithful and generous supporter David had among the nobles of that region. If Absalom had won, Barzillai likely would have suffered for his loyalty. But since David was restored, he and his family would not lose anything for what they had done.

Barzillai showed great respect to David, not only as a good man, but as his rightful king. He had supplied David and his household with plenty to eat while David stayed at Mahanaim (2 Samuel 19:32). God had given Barzillai a large estate, because he was a very wealthy man, and he seems to have had an equally large heart to use it well. That is what a large estate is for. When greatness is reduced, generosity should make us ready to help. When goodness is under pressure, duty should make us especially kind, as far as we are able. Barzillai also showed that he was not tired of David, though David had been a heavy burden, by escorting him to the Jordan and crossing over with him (2 Samuel 19:31). Subjects should learn from this to give honor where honor is due and pay what they owe to whom it is owed (Romans 13:7).

David then gave Barzillai a kind invitation to come to court (2 Samuel 19:33). “Come over with me,” he said. He invited him for two reasons. First, David wanted the pleasure of his company and the value of his counsel, for Barzillai was surely wise and good as well as rich. Real greatness is found more in what a man is than in what he owns. Second, David wanted a chance to repay his kindness: “I will provide for you with me.” Barzillai would eat as richly as the king himself, and this would be at Jerusalem, the royal and holy city. David did not treat Barzillai’s kindness as a debt that must be paid back, as proud rulers often do. Instead, he received it as a favor and rewarded it as such. We should always make it our aim to be grateful to our friends, especially to those who have helped us in trouble.

Barzillai’s answer shows both humility and good sense. First, he admires the king’s generosity in making the offer and in treating so small a service as worthy of such a large reward (2 Samuel 19:36). He asks, in effect, why the king should repay it so richly. A servant who only does his duty cannot expect special thanks. Barzillai thought he had already been honored enough simply by being allowed to help the king. In the same way, when believers are called to inherit the kingdom because of what they have done for Christ in this life, they will be amazed at the difference between the service and the reward (Matthew 25:37).

He then declines the invitation, asking the king’s pardon for refusing such kindness. He would count himself happy to be near the king, but he gives two reasons for staying home. First, he is old and no longer fit to move, especially to court. He is too old for the work of court life, whether in counsel, war, finance, or justice. He has little time left (2 Samuel 19:34). He is also too old for the pleasures of court, which would be poorly spent on one who can enjoy them so little (2 Samuel 19:35). As in Moses’s time, so in Barzillai’s time, and still today, if people live to eighty years, their strength is often only labor and sorrow (Psalm 90:10). These are years in which people say they have no pleasure (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Food loses its taste when desire fades, and songs mean little to an old ear, as little as songs sung to a heavy heart. So let older people learn from Barzillai to grow less attached to bodily pleasures. Grace should support nature and help us accept what age brings. Barzillai also thinks he would be a burden to the king, not an honor to him. A good person does not go anywhere to be a burden. If burdened at all, he would rather be so at home than to another family.

Second, Barzillai is dying and must begin to think about his last journey, his leaving this world (2 Samuel 19:37). It is good for all of us, and especially fitting for older people, to think and speak often about death. “Talk of going to court,” Barzillai says in effect. “Let me go home and die in my own city, near my father’s grave, so my bones may rest quietly beside my father’s.” He is ready for the grave, and he wants to go home and prepare for it. He would rather die in his own nest.

Barzillai also asks the king to show kindness to his son Chimham. Let Chimham go with the king and receive honor at court. Whatever is done for Chimham, Barzillai will count as done for himself. Older people should not begrudge younger people the enjoyments they themselves can no longer have. They should not hold them back from opportunities. Barzillai returns home himself, but he does not force Chimham to return with him. Though he could hardly spare him, he is willing to part with him if it will help and advance him.

David then gives Barzillai a warm farewell. He sends him back to his country with a kiss and a blessing (2 Samuel 19:39). In this way David shows that he loves him and will pray for him, because of Barzillai’s kindness. He also promises that whatever request Barzillai may later make, he will gladly grant it (2 Samuel 19:38). What is the great value of power, except that it gives a person more ability to do good?

David also brings Chimham forward with him, leaving his future placement to Barzillai’s choice. “I will do for him what seems good to you” (2 Samuel 19:38). It seems Barzillai, who had found the peace and safety of quiet life, asked for a country home for Chimham near Jerusalem, but not inside the city. Long afterward, we read of a place near Bethlehem, David’s city, called the habitation of Chimham. It was likely given to him, not from royal land or seized property, but from David’s own family estate.