Barzillai by J. Clarke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Aug 26, 1862

Barzillai

By J. Clarke

Was a man of great wealth, and seeing his good king driven from his home by the wretch, Absalom, his good old heart was stirred, and opening his stores he "brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, 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 is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness." 2 Sam. xvii, 27, 29; xix, 31-40.

But though many then, as now, arose as traitors against the government which had fostered them, yet the right prevailed; and when infatuated Absalom had met his deserts, and the great and noble David had mourned his unnatural son with many bitter tears, and was returning in triumph, then good old Barzillai would (as well he might) participate with the friends of order in escorting the king of their choice a little way, as he returned to the rescued city of Jerusalem.

Then, when David had with princely generosity and gratitude invited his tried friend to make his home at Jerusalem, the true old patriot thus replies:

"And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old; and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore should thy servant be yet a burden unto my Lord the king! Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father, and of my mother."

Then, having seen his good prince safe across the river Jordan, his work of love was completed. He had seen him a fugitive from treason, had befriended him in his greatest need, had proved his truthful loyalty, and now he returns to his ancestral possessions and home, now sweetened and made acceptable by good deeds. David with loving heart kissed Barzillai, and blessed him, and returned unto his own place.

One cannot help thinking that if some of the susceptibilities of Barzillai were impaired by age, his good sense and noble qualities of character had rather matured by it. Shohi is also an ally of David in this narrative. See chap. xvii, 27. J. CLARKE.