2 Samuel 19: 31-40
And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. (vs. 38)
Welcome to February, God has been faithful to have kept us to witness the first Sunday in the month. May His grace be sufficient to see us through this month and beyond in Jesus’ name. May you receive double honour as you progress in this month in Jesus’ name.
Last week, we started a series on ‘From obscurity to limelight’. God‘s grace is able to lift and shoot a man from darkness into light and from miry clay, to solid rock ‘He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings’ (Psalm 40:2). God’s manifold grace is able to transform a slave to a queen (Esther 2: 15), a ‘vagabond’ to a deliverer of his clan (Judges 11: 5-8) and a slave/prisoner into a prime minister (Genesis 41: 37-44). What is it the God cannot do? Hannah testified that God controls the affairs of the earth and transform the poor to the rich (I Samuel 2:8).
In today’s message, we shall look into the case study of a man who came from being infamous to someone who dines and wines with the king. Barzillai is described as a wealthy man from Rogelim in Gilead who lived during the time of King David (2 Samuel 17:27). Barzillai means ‘iron-like’. He is best known for his loyal service to David when David was forced to flee Jerusalem during a revolt by his son Absalom. During this brief time of exile, Barzillai was one of several key people who provided for the needs of David’s household (2 Samuel 17:27–29; 19:32).
When the rebellion ended and David was restored to the throne, Barzillai accompanied him and his entourage to the shore of the Jordan River where they would cross back into Judah on their way to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 19:31). At the time, Barzillai was 80 years old. David offered for Barzillai to return to Jerusalem with him so he could return his kindness and care for his needs. Barzillai respectfully turned down David’s offer, seeking to live out the rest of his days in his own land instead. However, Barzillai asked for his son Chimham to go over instead: ‘But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish’ (2 Samuel 19:37). David granted his request and kissed and blessed Barzillai as they parted.
Despite Barzillai’s strange and unknown name, he was a man with great reputation for loyalty to God and to his king and kindness to those under his care. Despite being a man of wealth, he used his influence for the benefit of others and lived a simple life. He offers a powerful example of the legacy one person can have by loving God and serving others during difficult times.
What are Biblical lessons from the life of Barzillai?
- Law of giving and receiving. This truth came to bear on the attitude of Barzillai. His generosity to David was reciprocated by the king. Little did he know that he will thus be compensated for his little kindness. (Luke 6:38; 19:17). Barzillai gave and he was rewarded.
- Principle of causa proxima. Principle of Causa Proxima or the Principle of Proximate (i.e Nearest) Cause, means when a loss is caused by more than one causes, the proximate or the nearest or the closest cause should be taken into consideration to decide the liability of the insurer. Barzillai was to be direct beneficiary of the good he did to David, but because of his health and age, he transferred that benefit to his son. ‘… But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee’ (vs. 37b).
- Help God’s people when you can. David and his men set up their camp at Mahanaim and became a government-in-exile. Absalom and his army pursued David and camped in Gilead, north of Mahanaim. David found himself without provisions and food, but the Lord provided. Wealthy men of the region (including Barzillai) ‘brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery” … for David and his people to eat’ (vv. 28-29). Barzillai helped David because he saw they were in the desert with nothing. By helping David, he was at risk of being discovered by Absalom. He was willing to accept the risk in order to help someone in need (Gal. 6:10; Heb. 13:16). He used his wealth for the common good.
- He was a realist. Barzillai was plain and realistic about his strength and weaknesses. He knew he was old and fragile and might not possess the strength to follow the king back to Jerusalem; he was truthful and not the selfish type; he was a man who knew his limitations (2 Samuel 19: 34-35).
- Chimham rode to limelight on the shoulder of his father (Barzillai). Who could have believed that a child will be accorded such privilege of going to dine with the king? Barzillai decided to use his influence to elevate his son and made a move that changed Chimham’s life forever. He asked David to allow Chimham to take his place, to receive the place of honor David had offered to Barzillai. In a way, Barzillai became a sponsor for Chimham’s career, opening up doors that he never could have opened by himself. Barzillai’s influence and sponsorship of Chimham placed him in a position of wealth, prominence, power and influence unparalleled as one who sits at the table of the King. Chimham crossed the river with David and headed back to Jerusalem as one of the King’s inner circle. How are you using your stewardship of influence? ‘In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ (Jeremiah 31:29).
God can use anyone to lift you up. All it requires is that you are faithful and loyal in your service because you never know what situation God will use to bring you to limelight. Shalom!
