1 Kings 2:7

KJV

But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

KJV (with Strong's)

But shew {H6213} kindness {H2617} unto the sons {H1121} of Barzillai {H1271} the Gileadite {H1569}, and let them be of those that eat {H398} at thy table {H7979}: for so they came {H7126} to me when I fled {H1272} because {H6440} of Absalom {H53} thy brother {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gil'adi. Include them with those who eat at your table, because they came and stood with me when I was fleeing from Avshalom your brother.

Berean Standard Bible

But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

American Standard Version

But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table; for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom thy brother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King David, on his deathbed, issues a final charge to his son and successor, Solomon, emphasizing justice, faithfulness, and the proper treatment of allies and adversaries. Among these instructions, 1 Kings 2:7 stands out as a poignant command to extend enduring kindness and provision to the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite. This directive is rooted in David's profound gratitude for Barzillai's selfless aid during the perilous time of Absalom's rebellion, underscoring the king's commitment to honoring loyalty and fulfilling past promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of King David's final, solemn charge to his son Solomon, recorded in [1 Kings 2:1-9](/1_kings/2-1 "1 Kings 2:1-9 - David's Final Charge to Solomon"). David's instructions are multifaceted, encompassing theological admonitions to walk in God's ways ([1 Kings 2:3](/1_kings/2-3 "1 Kings 2:3 - David's Charge to Obey God's Law")), practical advice on kingship, and specific directives regarding individuals who had either supported or opposed him. The command concerning Barzillai's sons stands in stark contrast to David's instructions regarding Joab and Shimei ([1 Kings 2:5-6](/1_kings/2-5 "1 Kings 2:5-6 - David's Instructions Regarding Joab and Shimei"), [1 Kings 2:8-9](/1_kings/2-8 "1 Kings 2:8-9 - David's Instructions Regarding Shimei")), whom Solomon is instructed to deal with for their past treachery. This juxtaposition highlights David's meticulous attention to justice and gratitude, ensuring that both loyalty and disloyalty receive their due, even from beyond the grave.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events referenced in [1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - David's Command Regarding Barzillai's Sons") harken back to the traumatic period of Absalom's rebellion, detailed in [2 Samuel 15-18](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins"). During David's desperate flight from Jerusalem, Barzillai the Gileadite, a wealthy and influential man from Transjordan, provided crucial sustenance and hospitality to David and his weary entourage ([2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Aid to David")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hospitality was a sacred duty, and providing refuge and provisions to a fleeing king, especially one in such dire straits, was an act of profound loyalty and courage. To "eat at thy table" was a significant cultural honor, signifying not merely sustenance but inclusion in the royal household, protection, and guaranteed provision, akin to being adopted into the king's extended family. It was a mark of supreme favor and trust, often extended to loyal servants or even conquered kings as a sign of their submission and the victor's clemency.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - David's Command Regarding Barzillai's Sons") richly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **gratitude and loyalty**, demonstrating David's unwavering commitment to remembering and rewarding those who stood by him in adversity. Secondly, it exemplifies **covenantal kindness (חֶסֶד, *chesed*)**, a steadfast, loyal love that extends beyond mere obligation to a deep-seated commitment, here shown intergenerationally. David's command is a fulfillment of a promise made earlier ([2 Samuel 19:31-39](/2_samuel/19-31 "2 Samuel 19:31-39 - David's Promise to Barzillai")), highlighting the theme of **integrity and fulfilling promises** as a cornerstone of righteous kingship. Finally, the directive to "eat at thy table" reinforces the theme of **royal provision and honor**, illustrating how kingship, when exercised justly, involves caring for and elevating those who have demonstrated faithfulness, echoing David's earlier care for Mephibosheth ([2 Samuel 9:7](/2_samuel/9-7 "2 Samuel 9:7 - Mephibosheth at David's Table")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kindness (Hebrew, חֶסֶד, _chesed_):** This powerful Hebrew term denotes more than simple benevolence; it signifies loyal love, steadfast mercy, covenantal faithfulness, and enduring commitment. It describes an active, unwavering loyalty that goes beyond what is expected, often in the context of a relationship or covenant. David's command to "shew kindness" to Barzillai's sons is not a suggestion for a polite gesture, but a solemn obligation to extend the same loyal, steadfast love that Barzillai showed to David, ensuring their well-being and honor. This *chesed* is meant to be an enduring, intergenerational expression of gratitude.
* **Eat at thy table (Hebrew, יֹאכְלֵי שֻׁלְחָנֶךָ, _yokhelê shulḥāneḵā_):** This phrase is a significant idiom in ancient Near Eastern culture, symbolizing intimate fellowship, guaranteed provision, protection, and high honor. It implies inclusion into the royal household, sharing in the king's resources and prestige. For Barzillai's sons, it meant a life free from want, under the direct care and patronage of the king, a privilege often reserved for family members or the most trusted officials. This was the highest form of royal favor, elevating them from ordinary citizens to honored guests and dependents of the crown.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite,"**: This opening clause establishes a clear contrast with the preceding instructions regarding Joab and Shimei, marking a shift from judgment to grace. David specifically names Barzillai, emphasizing the personal nature of his gratitude and the direct lineage to whom this favor is to be extended. The command to "shew kindness" (rooted in *chesed*) underscores the deep, loyal love and faithfulness that David expects Solomon to reciprocate towards Barzillai's family, acknowledging their past loyalty.
* **"and let them be of those that eat at thy table:"**: This phrase specifies the tangible expression of the commanded kindness. It is not merely a general benevolence, but a concrete act of royal provision and honor. To "eat at the king's table" was a profound privilege, signifying a permanent place within the royal court, guaranteed sustenance, protection, and a share in the king's prestige. It was a public declaration of their esteemed status, ensuring their welfare and elevating their social standing.
* **"for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother."**: This final clause provides the explicit rationale for David's command, grounding the future kindness in a past act of loyal service. It refers to the desperate period of Absalom's rebellion ([2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Aid to David")), when Barzillai provided crucial provisions and support to David and his weary followers. The phrase "Absalom thy brother" serves as a stark reminder to Solomon of the precariousness of kingship and the vital importance of loyalty, even from within one's own family, thereby reinforcing the value of Barzillai's unwavering support.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Most notably, there is a powerful **Contrast** established between the instructions concerning Joab and Shimei (to be dealt with for their treachery) and the command regarding Barzillai's sons (to be shown kindness). This stark juxtaposition underscores the principles of justice and gratitude that David wishes to instill in Solomon's reign. The phrase "eat at thy table" functions as rich **Symbolism**, representing not just physical sustenance but also honor, protection, inclusion, and royal favor, a cultural idiom that would have been immediately understood by the original audience. Furthermore, David's command carries an element of **Foreshadowing**, setting a precedent for Solomon's rule where past loyalties are remembered and rewarded, ensuring stability and a just administration. The very act of David giving these final instructions from his deathbed imbues the words with a solemn **Weight and Authority**, emphasizing their critical importance for the future of the kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - David's Command Regarding Barzillai's Sons") is a profound testament to the enduring principles of gratitude, loyalty, and covenantal faithfulness, reflecting God's own character. David's insistence on remembering Barzillai's kindness, even to his descendants, mirrors the divine *chesed*—God's steadfast love and faithfulness that extends to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. This passage teaches that true leadership, especially in a divinely appointed monarchy, involves not only administering justice but also cultivating a memory for past acts of loyalty and ensuring that promises are kept. It highlights the intergenerational impact of righteous deeds, where the faithfulness of one person can bring lasting blessings upon their lineage, serving as a model for how God's blessings often flow through families.

* [2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Provision for David")
* [2 Samuel 19:31-39](/2_samuel/19-31 "2 Samuel 19:31-39 - David's Promise to Barzillai and Barzillai's Response")
* [2 Samuel 9:7](/2_samuel/9-7 "2 Samuel 9:7 - David's Kindness to Mephibosheth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - David's Command Regarding Barzillai's Sons") offers timeless lessons for our lives today, personally and communally. It challenges us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude, not allowing the passage of time or changes in circumstances to diminish our appreciation for those who have supported us in our times of need. Just as David remembered Barzillai's loyalty during his most vulnerable moments, we are called to be mindful of our benefactors and to seek tangible ways to express our thanks, even extending kindness to their families or descendants. This verse also underscores the value of loyalty itself—both giving and receiving it. Barzillai's unwavering support for David, even when the king was in exile, serves as a powerful example of faithfulness that is ultimately rewarded. For leaders, it is a reminder that true strength lies not just in power, but in integrity, in keeping one's word, and in fostering a culture where loyalty is recognized and honored. It encourages us to consider the long-term impact of our actions, sowing seeds of kindness that may bless generations to come, much like God's own faithfulness to His covenant people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Who are the "Barzillais" in your life—those who have shown you extraordinary kindness or loyalty in your times of need? How can you tangibly express your gratitude to them or their families today?**
* **How does David's emphasis on fulfilling past promises challenge your own commitment to integrity and keeping your word?**
* **In what ways can you extend "kindness" (חֶסֶד, *chesed*) that goes beyond expectation, reflecting God's steadfast love to others?**
* **What does "eating at the king's table" symbolize for believers today in their relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why was Barzillai's kindness so significant to David?**

Answer: Barzillai's kindness was profoundly significant because it was offered during David's most vulnerable and desperate hour: his flight from Absalom's rebellion ([2 Samuel 17:27-29](/2_samuel/17-27 "2 Samuel 17:27-29 - Barzillai's Provision for David")). At a time when many abandoned David or even sought his downfall, Barzillai, a wealthy and influential Gileadite, risked his own safety and resources to provide crucial provisions—food, bedding, and vessels—to David and his weary entourage. This act was not merely hospitality; it was an extraordinary display of loyalty and courage, demonstrating unwavering support for the legitimate king when his throne was in jeopardy. David never forgot this selfless act, making it a point to honor Barzillai and his descendants, even on his deathbed, as a testament to the enduring value of such faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Kings 2:7](/1_kings/2-7 "1 Kings 2:7 - David's Command Regarding Barzillai's Sons"), with its emphasis on enduring kindness, royal provision, and the fulfillment of promises, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true King of Kings. David's command to provide for Barzillai's sons at the royal table foreshadows the Lord Jesus, who embodies perfect *chesed*—loyal, steadfast love—towards His people. Unlike earthly kings whose promises are limited by mortality, Christ's covenantal faithfulness is eternal. He is the one who, in His deepest humility, provided for His followers, and now, as the resurrected King, He invites all who believe to "eat at His table." This imagery is powerfully echoed in the New Testament through the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ([Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19 "Luke 22:19-20 - The Institution of the Lord's Supper")), where believers partake in fellowship with Him, receiving spiritual nourishment and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Just as Barzillai's sons received unmerited favor due to their father's loyalty, believers receive eternal life and adoption into God's royal family not by their own merit, but by the perfect obedience and sacrifice of Christ, who remembers and rewards the faithful, welcoming them into His everlasting presence and provision ([Matthew 25:34](/matthew/25-34 "Matthew 25:34 - Inherit the Kingdom Prepared for You")). He is the King who never forgets His own, extending boundless grace and an eternal invitation to His table.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 17:27

And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

2 Samuel 17:29

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 Samuel 9:7

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

2 Samuel 9:10

Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in [the fruits], that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

2 Samuel 19:31

¶ And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.

2 Samuel 19:40

¶ Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.

2 Samuel 19:28

For all [of] my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?