2 Samuel 19:32

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, [even] fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he [was] a very great man.

Now Barzillai {H1271} was a very {H3966} aged {H2204} man, even fourscore {H8084} years {H8141} old {H1121}: and he had provided the king {H4428} of sustenance {H3557} while he lay {H7871} at Mahanaim {H4266}; for he was a very {H3966} great {H1419} man {H376}.

Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old; he had provided for the king's needs when he was staying at Machanayim; for he was a wealthy man.

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.

Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king with sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.

Commentary

2 Samuel 19:32 introduces Barzillai, a pivotal figure in King David's life during a tumultuous period. This verse highlights his advanced age and significant contribution to David's survival and well-being.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative describing King David's return to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom's rebellion. David is at the Jordan River, preparing to cross, and many loyalists are coming to meet him. Barzillai, a wealthy and influential Gileadite, had previously shown immense loyalty and generosity to David when the king was fleeing from his son Absalom and found refuge in Mahanaim. While David was in exile and vulnerable, Barzillai, along with others, provided crucial provisions, demonstrating unwavering support when David needed it most. This verse serves as a summary of Barzillai's character and his past actions, setting the stage for David's interaction with him in the subsequent verses.

Key Themes

  • Loyalty and Faithfulness: Barzillai exemplifies profound loyalty, supporting King David when many others had turned against him or wavered. His actions were not for personal gain but out of genuine devotion.
  • Generosity and Provision: The verse emphasizes that Barzillai "had provided the king of sustenance." This act of providing food, bedding, and other necessities (as detailed in 2 Samuel 17:27-29) was vital for David and his company during their time of distress.
  • Esteem and Influence: Described as "a very great man," Barzillai was not just wealthy but also a person of high standing, respect, and influence in his region. This status made his support even more significant to David.
  • Wisdom of Age: At "fourscore years old" (80 years), Barzillai's actions reflect the wisdom and steadfastness often associated with advanced age, serving as a pillar of support and stability.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "fourscore years old" simply means eighty years old, a common way of expressing age in that era. The term "sustenance" (Hebrew: ืžึดื—ึฐื™ึธื”, michyah) refers to provisions for living, including food, drink, and other necessities. The description "a very great man" (Hebrew: ืึดื™ืฉื ื’ึธึผื“ื•ึนืœ ืžึฐืึนื“, ish gadol me'od) signifies not just wealth but also significant social standing, influence, and perhaps moral character, implying that his greatness was recognized by others.

Practical Application

Barzillai's story offers timeless lessons for contemporary life:

  • Support in Adversity: It highlights the importance of standing by others, especially leaders or friends, during their most challenging times. Barzillai's selfless support for David is a powerful example of true friendship and loyalty.
  • Honoring the Elderly: David's subsequent desire to honor Barzillai (as seen in 2 Samuel 19:33) and his later instruction to Solomon (see 1 Kings 2:7) underscore the biblical principle of respecting and caring for those of advanced age, especially those who have contributed significantly.
  • Using Resources for Good: Barzillai used his wealth and influence not for personal gain during David's weakness, but to provide essential aid, demonstrating a stewardship of resources that aligns with biblical principles of generosity and compassion.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 25:2 (5 votes)

    ยถ And [there was] a man in Maon, whose possessions [were] in Carmel; and the man [was] very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

  • Proverbs 16:31 (4 votes)

    ยถ The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.

  • Job 1:3 (4 votes)

    His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

  • Deuteronomy 34:7 (4 votes)

    And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

  • Genesis 9:29 (3 votes)

    And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.

  • Genesis 47:28 (3 votes)

    And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.

  • Genesis 25:7 (3 votes)

    And these [are] the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.