“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gil‘adi. Include them with those who eat at your table, because they came and stood with me when I was fleeing from Avshalom your brother.”-1 Kings 2:7
Onward, in contrast to what David ordered Solomon concerning Joab, David’s instructions now take a positive turn.
David next tells Solomon to show CHESED (loving kindness) to the sons of Barzallai.
These sons are to be given special access and even allowed to dine in the royal court.
Recall that Barzallai was a wealthy but elderly gentile who resided in the Trans-Jordan.
He showed great kindness to David when David was fleeing from his rebel son Absalom.
Barzallai provided David and his family with food and shelter for a couple of months.
This allowed David to rest up and prepare for a counter-attack.
After Absalom and his forces had been defeated, David invited Barzallai to return with him to Jerusalem.
Barzillai declined due to his old age:
“How much longer can I live, that I should go up with the king to Yerushalayim? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell good from bad? Can your servant even taste what he eats or drinks? Can I hear the voice of men and women singing anymore? Why should your servant burden my lord the king?”-2 Samuel 19:35-36
However, Barzallai accepted the King’s generous invitation on behalf of his sons.
So what takeaway can we glean from this?
Simple, whether Jew or Gentile, faithfulness to the Jewish Messiah (which is what David was) brings great rewards, almost to the point where ethnicity doesn’t matter.
Barzallai’s gentile sons would have direct access to the innermost parts of David’s kingdom and even be allowed to dine at the royal table.
Whereas the Hebrews, Joab, and Shimei would be put to death for their betrayal of the Son of God.
So we can see that the dividing line is really whether or not you will be faithful to the Lord’s anointed, even if it may cost you dearly.
Ya feel me?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Whoever receives you receives Me”
“He who receives Me receives Him”
“A cup of cold water given”
“He will by no means lose reward”
— Matthew 10:40–42
“God shows no partiality”
“In every nation, one who fears Him”
“Works righteousness is accepted by Him”
“Through Messiah, forgiveness is proclaimed”
— Acts 10:34–43
“Many will come from east and west”
“Recline with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob”
“Sons of kingdom cast into darkness”
“There will be weeping and gnashing”
— Matthew 8:11–12
“You are no longer strangers, foreigners”
“Fellow citizens with the saints”
“Members of the household of God”
“Built on apostles and prophets”
— Ephesians 2:19–20
“If you belong to Messiah”
“Then you are Abraham’s offspring”
“Heirs according to the promise”
“There is neither Jew nor Greek”
— Galatians 3:28–29
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