2 Samuel 19:31-41 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.… Barzillai was indeed a noble old man. He loved his country, he loved his king, and in perilous times and days of turbulence and anarchy stood forward the friend of the distressed, the consoler of fallen greatness, and the constant and determined supporter of the rightful government and ancient institutions of his land. I wish you to mark two features of the character thus brought before you — the loyalty and the piety of Barzillai. In the midst of the rampant successes of rebellion he would not forsake the cause of his rightful sovereign, and the interests of his country. And his loyalty was disinterested. He looked for no return, he would accept no reward. You have seen that the reinstated sovereign proffered to him all the splendours of a residence with a royal family in the imperial city. And this in general estimation was no worthless boon. It embraced all that most men court, all that the world with such anxiety is toiling for. He would be admitted to the highest circles in the realm; men would bow down to him, and do him reverence; every luxury would be at his command; he was to sit at the king's table; chariots and horsemen, stately attendants, rich and costly clothing, worldly power, honour, magnificence — all that is dazzling in earthly grandeur, all that is enchanting to a worldly mind was within his grasp. But mark his piety. He declined it all! He would not now distract his mind with the dissipating round of earthly vanity. He would rather end his days in peaceful retirement; and, in the simplicity of country life, mature his soul for heaven. I. I REMIND YOU THAT LOYALTY IS PART OF RELIGION, AND MUST SPRING FROM A PRINCIPLE OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD, WHO IS THE SOVEREIGN RULER OF ALL WORLDS. II. Again, SUCH A LOYAL SPIRIT AS THAT WHICH ANIMATED BARZILLAI, WILL LEAD TO A CHEERFUL DEVOTION OF OUR SUBSTANCE, SO FAR AS IT MAY BE NEEDED, FOR THE USUAL PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT, OR THE OCCASIONAL EXIGENCIES OF THE STATE. The good old man hastened of his own accord to bring his ample supply to David and his people in their extraordinary reverses. And let us cheerfully contribute to the maintenance of good government, by rendering those imposts which the wisdom of the legislature has arranged. III. AND LET OUR TRUE LOYAL FEELING FIND ITS EXPRESSION IN FERVENT PRAYER TO HIM WHO SITS ENTHRONED ABOVE — "the King of kings and Lord of lords." "I exhort," saith the apostle, "that prayers be made for kings and all that are in authority: that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty." IV. In conclusion, CULTIVATE, ABOVE ALL, THAT PIOUS SPIRIT WHICH BARZILLAI MANIFESTED IN HIS THOUGHTFULNESS OF DEATH; HIS DISREGARD OF WORLDLY GREATNESS; AND HIS ANXIETY TO HAVE REPOSE IN HIS LATTER DAYS TO PREPARE FOR HEAVEN. (A. Bumstead, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. |
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