barzillai Summary and Overview

of iron. (1.) A Meholathite, the father of Adriel (2 Sam. 21:8). (2.) A Gileadite of Rogelim who was distinguished for his loyalty to David. He liberally provided for the king's followers (2 Sam. 17:27). David on his death-bed, remembering his kindness, commended Barzillai's children to the care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:7). (3.) A priest who married a daughter of the preceding (Ezra 2:61).

BARZIL'LAI (of iron, i. e. strong) was a wealthy Gileadite, and a fast friend of David when he was in exile on account of Absalom's revolt. 2 Sam 17:27. After the rebellion had been suppressed, Barzillai, on account of age, and probably also from natural and proper pride, declined David's offer to be a resident of the court, but proposed his son Chimham should go instead. 2 Sam 19:31-40. David, in his final charge to Solomon, enjoined it upon him to show kindness to Barzillai's family, and even to make them members of the royal household. 1 Kgs 2:7. 1. The Meholathite, father-in-law of Michal, Saul's daughter. 2 Sam 21:8. 2. The husband of a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite, whose descendants returned from Babylon, but in vain sought admittance to the priesthood. Ezr 2:61; Neh 7:63, Neh 7:64.

("iron".) A Gileadite chief. of Rogelim, whose friendship David probably made during his flight from Saul in that trans-Jordanic region. He ministered disinterestedly, sympathizingly, and liberally, to David's wants during the whole time of his stay at, Mahanaim in his flight from Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27-29; 2 Samuel 19:32-40). David in prosperity did not forget the friend of his adversity: "Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem." But Barzillai was unmercenary, and sought his reward simply in having done his duty.

Instead of grasping at honors and favors at court, he remembers his age, fourscore, "How long have I to live, that I should go P" and prefers to die among his own people, independent though in less grandeur. In the father's stead Chimham and other sons of his shared David's favor, and were commended by him to Solomon (1 Kings 2:7). Chimham's name appears ages subsequently in Jeremiah's time, "the habitation of Chimham by Bethlehem" being the gift of David to him out of his own patrimony, and bearing that name to late generations: an undesigned coincidence and mark of truth (Jeremiah 41:17)