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BARZILLAI, MAN OF GRACE. DAD’S DAY. 6/21/20. II Samuel 17:27-29
II Samuel 17:27-29 [New King James Version (NKJV)]
27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, “The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.”
- A man of distinction
- Barzillai’s name pops up throughout the Old Testament
- Merab, daughter of Saul, was given to Adriel, son of Barzillai, instead of David
- II Samuel 21 later when David was king, Adriel and Merab’s 4 sons were given to the Gibeonites for execution for Saul’s sins against them
- Barzillai’s family was prominent
- A Gileadite = general name given for the trans-Jordan land given to Gad, Reuben, and one-half the tribe of Manasseh
- Barzillai aided David when he fled from Absalom, giving him food for his army
- Chimham, son of Barzillai goes with David instead of father and is given the inn in Bethlehem where Jesus will be born
- David places Barzillai’s children in care of Solomon on his deathbed (1 Kings 2)
- One of Barzillai’s daughters married a prominent priest (Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7)
- Merab, daughter of Saul, was given to Adriel, son of Barzillai, instead of David
- Barzillai was a very prominent man
- He was wealthy and well known
- David could not pay the dowry price for Saul’s daughter, Merab, so she was given to Adriel, Barzillai’s son
- Later, Barzillai brings food for all the men fleeing Jerusalem with David
- Barzillai’s name pops up throughout the Old Testament
- To whom much is given
- Wealth and influence = not have to mean pride
- Most men of wealth are self-absorbed, not believers, and never support Christian works (Besos, Gates, Steve Jobs, Bloomberg, Oprah…)
- I Corinthians 1:18-31 most believers are not wealthy
- Few prominent believers are spiritual and charitable (Joseph of Arimathea, Barnabas, Gaius…)
- Luke 12 wealth and influence are given to serve the Lord and to whom much is given much is required
- Matthew 25 more is expected of the 5 talent servant than of the 2 or 1 talent servant
- Solomon squandered his gifts while Tabitha expended hers wisely (Ac. 9; Jm. 2)
- Barzillai could have stayed out of the fight
- Barzillai decided to expend a considerable amount of his wealth to refresh David’s men
- Barzillai wanted to serve the servants of God
- A godly man is charitable and concerned for others
- Four parts to generosity: (1) knowing what resources and calling you have (2) recognizing needs you can meet (3) meeting needs (Proverbs 3:27-28) (4) expanding and developing resources to meet more needs
- Barzillai sought out the need and met it
- No man can meet all needs
- Every man can meet some needs
- What needs God calls you to meet he will supply all that is necessary to meet it
- As Barzillai was alert to needs which God laid upon his heart, so we must be led by Spirit to do same
- James 2 it is loving charity of helps and provision which enhances our testimony (sets us apart)
- Barzillai humbly served (using God’s things for him)
Key Verse: I Corinthians 1:18-31
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”