2 Samuel 19: 31 – 43 “Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and send him on his way from there. Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me, and I will provide for you at my side in Jerusalem.”
But Barzillai replied, “How many years of my life remain, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
Your servant could go with the king only a short distance past the Jordan; why should the king repay me with such a reward? Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.”
The king replied, “Chimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good in your sight, and I will do for you whatever you desire of me.”
So, all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and Barzillai returned home.
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham crossed over with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king.
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?”
And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?”
“We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?”
But the men of Judah pressed even harder than the men of Israel.”
When David fled to Mahanaim in the eastern part of Gilead, east of the Jordan, it was Barzillai the Gileadite who took care of the needs of David and his followers. Weary, distraught, and discouraged, David found Barzillai’s hospitality to be the refreshment he needed to go on. Now David has been restored to the throne and he wants to bless Barzillai for his kindness. Barzillai accompanies David and his followers across the Jordan, but then wishes to return home. David urges Barzillai to return with him to Jerusalem so that David can repay the kindness Barzillai has shown. But Barzillai at eighty is a very wise man indeed. Barzillai thanks David for his kind gesture; however, Barzillai feels that it would be far better for his son Chimham to accompany David.
Now that David has made it safely across the Jordan and is on his way back to Jerusalem, a new problem is arising. Even though Shimei and 1,000 men of Benjamin have helped David across the river and even though half the troops of Israel have also helped David cross, men from the other tribes come to David bringing complaints. These men from the other ten tribes of Israel begin accusing the men of Judah that they have taken David away secretly!
David is partially to blame for this mess because he did message the men of Judah to come help his followers and him cross the Jordan. Perhaps David appealed to the men of Judah because he wasn’t sure of his reception by the other tribes; however, it was a foolish and short – sighted move.
The men from the other ten tribes are embarrassed for having supported Absalom and are seeking a way to assuage their guilt. Now the men from these tribes are picking a fight with the Judeans and the Benjamites as a way of justifying themselves. At this point, David must have his hands to his head!
APPLICATION: David’s gratitude towards Barzillai illustrates why people were willing to follow him, despite his failings. Barzillai’s wise answers echo down the ages. For many of us, as we age, we realize that our wants and our needs become increasingly simpler. The things that seemed so vital and necessary at an earlier stage in our lives are no longer important. Barzillai has enjoyed everything his wealth could afford, but now he realizes that those things are of little importance. Perhaps Barzillai is becoming deaf or losing his sense of taste, but now all Barzillai wants is to live quietly and to be able to be buried at home.
Psalm 90:12 says, ‘So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom does not always accompany old age. We can choose to ignore the lessons that God wishes to teach us. But if we will humble ourselves and listen, God can purify us and refine our lives, giving us hearts of wisdom.
As this chapter ends, we get hints of potential tribal conflict with the men of Judah and Benjamin on one side and the men of the other ten tribes on the other. David himself has played the tribal card, and there is trouble ahead. Tribal conflicts are a burden and a curse! We will have to continue our study to see how David is going to handle the problems that are brewing.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Please teach us to number our days so that we can gain hearts of wisdom and refuse to sink to manipulation of people. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment