Barzillai
“Of iron, that is, strong”
Summary
A wealthy Gileadite who showed remarkable loyalty and generosity to David during his flight from Absalom, and whose name was later adopted by a priestly family.
☩Support During David's Flight
When David fled from Absalom across the Jordan to Mahanaim, Barzillai of Rogelim was among those who brought beds, provisions, and supplies for the king and his weary followers. This wealthy eighty-year-old Gileadite distinguished himself by loyal and disinterested service during David's most desperate hour.
☩Humble Refusal
Upon David's triumphant return, Barzillai escorted the king as far as the Jordan. David offered to bring him to Jerusalem and provide for him at court, but Barzillai declined, pleading his advanced age and preference for dying among his own people. Instead, he commended his son Chimham to receive the king's favor. David granted this request and on his deathbed charged Solomon to show kindness to Barzillai's sons.
☩Other Bearers of the Name
A Barzillai of Meholath was the father of Adriel, who married Saul's daughter Merab. Another Barzillai was a priest who married a daughter of the Gileadite and adopted that family name; his descendants after the exile could not prove their genealogy and were excluded from the priesthood.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Barzillai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Barzillai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Barzillai," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).