2 Samuel 19:32, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to the history of David's reign that records Absalom's rebellion, the death of Absalom, David's lament, and David's return to Jerusalem. It stands in the account of David's victory over Absalom and his return to Jerusalem. That account closes the longer account running from the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David in 2 Samuel 3 through 2 Samuel 20.

It belongs to the history in 2 Samuel 11-19 showing David receiving back in kind for his wicked conduct toward Uriah. Retribution followed through all the rest of his life, principally in his own family in the sad history of Amnon and Tamar and in the rebellion and unnatural crimes of Absalom, extended even to Adonijah's rebellion and death. This proves that what a man sows he reaps and that sin is repaid in its own kind.

Barzillai was eighty years old and a man of great wealth and prominence. He had supplied food and other necessities to David and his people while they lay at Mahanaim, when they were hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness during David's flight from Absalom. His provision was an act and example of loyal support for the king.

At eighty Barzillai was unfit for the entertainments of an earthly prince's court. His age ended fitness for active, working service but did not end service to God. Old servants are still required and accepted and are not cast off in old age and must not desert His service. When infirmity makes them unable to be working servants, they continue as waiting servants, quietly giving honor to God and receiving comfort from Him while still relishing the pleasures of God's courts as much as ever. Those whose active well-doing is ended need patience to wait until they inherit the promise, with God Himself growing dearer as the waited-for happiness draws nearer, as the One they wait on and hope shortly to be with eternally.