Barzillai is a notable figure in the Old Testament, recognized for his loyalty and generosity towards King David during a time of great need. He is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Barzillai was a wealthy Gileadite from Rogelim, a region east of the Jordan River, in the territory of Gilead.

Support for King David

Barzillai's most significant contribution is recorded during the rebellion of Absalom, David's son, who sought to usurp the throne. As David fled Jerusalem to escape Absalom's forces, he and his followers found themselves in dire need of provisions. Barzillai, along with other supporters like Shobi and Machir, provided essential supplies to David and his people. The Bible records in 2 Samuel 17:27-29 :

"When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim brought beds, basins, and pottery items. They also brought wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, 'The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.'"

This act of kindness and support was crucial for David and his followers, providing them with the sustenance needed to endure the hardships of their flight.

Meeting with David

After Absalom's defeat and David's return to Jerusalem, Barzillai met the king at the Jordan River to escort him back. David, in gratitude for Barzillai's support, offered to take him to Jerusalem and provide for him there. However, Barzillai, being an elderly man of eighty years, declined the offer, preferring to stay in his own land. He expressed his contentment with his life and requested that his servant Chimham be taken in his stead. This encounter is detailed in 2 Samuel 19:31-39 :

"Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan. He was a very old man, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim. The king said to Barzillai, 'Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.' But Barzillai replied, 'How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him what seems good to you.' The king replied, 'Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever seems good to you. And whatever you desire from me, I will do for you.' So all the people crossed the Jordan, and when the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai and blessed him. And Barzillai returned to his home."

Legacy

Barzillai's legacy is further acknowledged in 1 Kings 2:7 , where David, on his deathbed, instructs Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai: "But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom."

Barzillai's actions exemplify loyalty, generosity, and humility. His support for David during a critical period in the king's life highlights the importance of steadfast friendship and the impact of selfless service. His account serves as a testament to the enduring bonds formed through acts of kindness and faithfulness.Barzillai

son of contempt; made of iron

Barzillai

(iron, i.e., strong).

1. A wealthy Gileadite who showed hospitality to David when he fled form Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:27) (B.C. 1023.) He declined the king's offer of ending his days at court. (2 Samuel 19:32-39)
2. A Meholathite, whose son Adriel married Michal, Saul's daughter. (2 Samuel 21:8) (B.C. before 1062.)
3. Son-in-law to Barzillai the Gileadite. (Ezra 2:61; Nehemiah 7:63,64) (B.C. before 536.)

Barzillai

1. Of Meholah in Simeon; father of Adriel, who married Merab, the daughter of Saul, 1 Samuel 18:19 2 Samuel 21:8

2. An aged and wealthy Gileadite, a friend of David when he was in exile during Absalom's rebellion. He sent a liberal supply of provisions, beds, and other conveniences for the use of the king's followers, 2 Samuel 17:27 19:32. On David's return, Barzillai accompanied him as far as Jordan, but declined, in consequence of his great age, to proceed to Jerusalem, and receive the favors the king had intended for him. David, in his final charge to Solomon, enjoined upon him to show kindness to Barzillai's family, and to make them members of the royal household, 1 Kings 2:7

3. A priest who married a daughter of the above, Ezra 2:61 Nehemiah 7:63.

Of iron.

(1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel (2 Samuel 21:8).

(2.) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king's followers (2 Samuel 17:27). David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended Barzillai's children to the care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:7).

(3.) A priest who married a daughter of the preceding (Ezra 2:61).

BARZILLAI

bar-zil'-a-i, bar-zil'-i (barzillay; Berzelli, "man of iron" (BDB, but compare Cheyne, Encyclopedia Biblica)):

(1) A Gileadite of Rogelim who brought provisions to David and his army to Mahanaim, in their flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27-29). When David was returning to Jerusalem after Absalom's defeat, Barzillai conducted him over Jordan, but being an old man of 80 years of age, he declined David's invitation to come to live in the capital, and sent instead his son Chimham (2 Samuel 19:31-39). David before his death charged Solomon to "show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai." (1 Kings 2:7). Cheyne in Encyclopedia Biblica, without giving any reason, differentiates this Barzillai from Barzillai the Gileadite (Ezra 2:61 = Nehemiah 7:63). See (2) below.

(2) The father of a family of priests who in Ezra's time, after the return of the exiles, could not trace their genealogy. "Therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood." This Barzillai had taken "a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite," and had adopted his wife's family name (Ezra 2:61, 62 = Nehemiah 7:63, 64). His original name is given as Jaddus (the King James Version Addus) (1 Esdras 5:38). (See ZORZELLEUS; the Revised Version, margin "Phaezeldaeus.")

(3) Barzillai the Meholathite, whose son Adriel was married to Saul's daughter, either Michal (2 Samuel 21:8) or Merab (1 Samuel 18:19).

T. Rees

1271. Barzillay -- "man of iron," three Israelites
... "man of iron," three Israelites. Transliteration: Barzillay Phonetic Spelling:
(bar-zil-lah'-ee) Short Definition: Barzillai. ... NASB Word Usage Barzillai (12). ...
/hebrew/1271.htm - 6k

Barzillai
... BARZILLAI. BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, MA, DD. ... It is to such an aged traveller that
we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barzillai.htm

Barzillai
... THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL BARZILLAI. 'And Barzillai said unto the king, How long
have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 35. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/barzillai.htm

"The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
... LV. "THE KING KISSED BARZILLAI." 2 SAM. xix. 39. And no wonder ... be alone.
What did Barzillai care for Absalom's popularity? David ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/lv the king kissed barzillai.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... How David, When He Had Recovered His Kingdom, Was Reconciled To Shimei, And To Ziba;
And Showed A Great Affection To Barzillai; And How, Upon The Rise Of A ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... vigor again is destroyed by the same means; nor does luxury itself afford the same
pleasure in old age, as is evident from the case of Barzillai: [325] the ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... A LOYAL VOW. ITTAI OF GATH. THE WAIL OF A BROKEN HEART. BARZILLAI. DAVID'S HYMN
OF VICTORY. THE DYING KING'S LAST VISION AND PSALM. THE ROYAL JUBILEE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/

Broken Bread
... SMITTEN OF GOD. LIV. THE FAN. MATTHEW iii. 12. LV. "THE KING KISSED BARZILLAI."
2 SAM. xix. 39. LVI. "THEN THE FIRE OF THE LORD FELL." 1 KINGS xviii. 38. LVII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/

Contents
... SIN PUNISHED (2 Samuel 15:1-12) A LOYAL VOW (2 Samuel 15:15) ITTAI OF GATH (2 Samuel
15:21) THE WAIL OF A BROKEN HEART (2 Samuel 18:18-33) BARZILLAI (2 Samuel ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/contents 2.htm

What Charge David Gave Tohis Son Solomon at the Approach of his ...
... I also commit to thee the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, whom, in order to gratify
me, thou shalt have in great honor, and take great care of; for we have not ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 what charge david.htm

Letter Lxxii. (AD 404. )
... Or rather, to quote an instance from Scripture: Barzillai of Gilead, when he declined
in favour of his youthful son the kindnesses of King David and all the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxii a d 404.htm

Barzillai (10 Occurrences)
... David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended Barzillai's children
to the care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:7). ... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BARZILLAI. ...
/b/barzillai.htm - 12k

Barzil'lai (10 Occurrences)
Barzil'lai. Barzillai, Barzil'lai. Basaloth . Multi-Version Concordance
Barzil'lai (10 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 17:27 And it came ...
/b/barzil'lai.htm - 9k

Gileadite (10 Occurrences)
... was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of
Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of ...
/g/gileadite.htm - 9k

Koz (5 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children
of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of ...
/k/koz.htm - 8k

Jaddus
... jad'-us (Codex Vaticanus, Iaddous; Codex Alexandrinus, Ioddous): the King James
Version has "Addus" = Barzillai (Ezra 2:61 Nehemiah 7:63). ... Compare BARZILLAI. ...
/j/jaddus.htm - 6k

Rogelim (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Fullers, a town of Gilead, the residence of Barzillai
the Gileadite (2 Samuel 17:27; 19:31), probably near to Mahanaim. Int. ...
/r/rogelim.htm - 7k

Chimham (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Pining, probably the youngest son of Barzillai the
Gileadite (2 Samuel 19:37-40). The "habitation of Chimham ...
/c/chimham.htm - 10k

Habaiah (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children
of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of ...
/h/habaiah.htm - 7k

Hakkoz (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children
of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of ...
/h/hakkoz.htm - 9k

Hobaiah (2 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children
of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of ...
/h/hobaiah.htm - 8k

Who was Barzillai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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