Barzillai

Biblical Account

Barzillai is introduced in 2 Samuel as "Barzillai the Gileadite." Gilead was a region east of the Jordan River, and he came from Rogelim in that region.

When Absalom rebelled, David fled to Mahanaim. There Barzillai, together with Shobi of Rabbah of the Ammonites and Machir of Lodebar, came to the aid of David and his company (2 Samuel 17:27–29). They brought beds and vessels, along with food such as wheat, barley, beans, honey, and sheep. The text explains that they did so because they said, "The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."

After the rebellion was put down, Barzillai came down to the Jordan to escort the king on his way (2 Samuel 19:31–40). The text describes him as "a very aged man, even fourscore years old," and as "a very great man," that is, a man of great wealth. David offered to take him to Jerusalem and provide for him. Barzillai declined, saying that he was already old: he could no longer discern between good and evil, could not taste what he ate or drank, and could no longer hear the voice of singing. He wished to be buried in his own city beside the grave of his father and mother, and he sent Chimham with the king in his place. David kissed him and blessed him.

Before his death, David charged Solomon to let the sons of Barzillai be among those who ate at the king's table (1 Kings 2:7). The lists of those who returned from exile also include a priestly family called "the children of Barzillai" (Ezra 2:61–63; Nehemiah 7:63–65). The ancestor of this family had married one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name. Because they could not find their genealogical record, however, they were excluded from the priesthood until a priest should arise to decide the matter with the Urim and Thummim.

The "Barzillai the Meholathite" mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:8 is a different person who bore the same name.

Significance Within the Bible

Barzillai is portrayed as one who helped the king in his time of crisis without seeking any reward. The kindness he showed was remembered as a debt to be repaid, extending from David into the reign of Solomon. Barzillai is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretations and Debates

• The name is generally understood to be related to the Hebrew word for "iron."
• In the text, Chimham is referred to only as the king's servant ("thy servant Chimham"). On the basis of expressions such as "the sons" in 1 Kings 2:7, he is commonly presumed to have been Barzillai's son.
• Some interpreters connect "the habitation of Chimham" (Geruth Chimham) in Jeremiah 41:17 with land that David gave to Chimham. The text, however, does not state this directly.
• Many sermons interpret his open support of a king fleeing during a rebellion as loyalty at the risk of his life. The text, however, does not record any danger he faced.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching, Barzillai is chiefly presented as an example of hospitality and of service that expects nothing in return. The scene in which he declines David's offer is also cited as a text on the wisdom of old age and on knowing when to step aside. Because Machir, who helped David alongside Barzillai, was from Lodebar, he is sometimes discussed together with the story of Mephibosheth.