BARZILLAI


A. "AND IT CAME TO PASS WHEN DAVID WAS COME TO MAHANAIM THAT SHOBI THE SON OF NAHASH OF TABBAH OF THE CHILDREN OF AMMON AND MACHIR THE SON OF AMMIEL OF LO-DEBAR, AND BARZILAI THE GILEADITE OF ROGELIM, BROUGHT BEDS AND BASONS, AND EARTHEN VESSELS AND WHEAT, AND BARLET, AND FLOUR, AND PARCHED CORN, AND BEANS, AND LENTILS AND PARCHED PULSE, AND HONEY, AND BUTTER, AND SHEEP, AND CHEESE OF KINE, FOR DAVID AND FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WERE WITH HIM, TO EAT; FOR THEY SAID, THE PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY AND WEARY AND THIRSTY IN THE WILDERNESS" - 2 SAM. 17:27-29
  1. In reading the words of our text, one cannot help but feel that you are in the presence of a man of God in the truest sense of the word:
    1. A man whose heart was filled with joyous benevolence
    2. The deeds of Barzillai remind us of the words of our Lord, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - Acts 20:35
    3. Wrote the Psalmist, "Save thy people and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever" - Ps. 23:9
  2. There is so much in the story of Barzillai that reminds one of the great Benefactor to whom all eyes look for his blessings
B. BARZILLAI
  1. Who he was:
    1. He was a wealthy Gileadite of Rogelim
    2. And he was a close friend to David - 2 Sam. 17:27-29; 19:31-40; I Kings 2:7
  2. Note these immortal virtues of Barzillai:
    1. His courageous loyalty - when David sorely needed support during the rebellion of Absalom, Barzillai rallied to his side
    2. Like a true man of iron he offered David indomitable loyalty - 2 Sam. 17:27-29
  3. His reverence of character:
    1. Barzillai was drawn to David because of the virtues he manifested
    2. At the time David was unpopular; but Barzillai looked deeper and saw that God was with David
  4. Barzillai was a great man - 2 Sam. 19:32
  5. The greatness of this man of God is seen:
    1. Not only in the benevolence toward those who were hungry
    2. But, also, in his ability to realize that he would die; just like all men die, "The grave is ready for me; let me go out and get ready for it" - 2 Sam. 19:27
    3. At the age of eighty, he still was the loving child, wanting to be buried where his parents had been buried
    4. In memory of what Barzillai did to David and his band; David admonished Solomon not to forget that dear old man - I Kings 2:7
C. WHAT A WONDERFUL LESSON CAN BE GATHERED OUT OF THE STORY OF THE LIFE OF BARZILLAI
  1. He had heart void of selfishness:
    1. How different was Nabal, the husband of Abigail - I Sam. 25:4-11
    2. Or King Ahab who was so selfish that he had Naboth murdered to get possession of his vineyard - I Kings 21:1-16
    3. In this he reflected the benevolent Giver of all good gifts - James 1:15-17
  2. He was a faithful and loyal friend:
    1. Like Jonathan toward David - I Sam. 20:41-42
    2. How different was Judas
    3. How true it is to say, "A friend in need is a friend indeed"; or "a friend sticketh closer than a brother" - Prov. 18:24
  3. Barzillai was a humble man:
    1. He thought that his services were trivial and unworthy of special notice or recompense
    2. That is a wonderful spirit to have, not inclined to magnify either what we are or what we do for others - as the Pharisee did that went to the temple to pray - Luke 18:11-12
    3. Barzillai's attitude reminds us of the admonition of the Master, "But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth" Matt. 6:3
  4. It would be a special blessing for the people of God:
    1. If all its members were blessed with the spirit of Barzillai; giving would be a pleasure; "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver" - 2 Cor. 9:7
    2. We need more Barzillais than Achans


Design © John Bryant 2011