Barzillai

Barzillai

2 Samuel 19:31”Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, being eighty years old; and he had sustained the king while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.”

Here is the feast that Barzillai gave to king David in the wilderness, at a time when David’s son Absalom was hounding for his father’s blood – it was extremely risky time too. Selfish friends would abandon you during such times; however, what you do for people during their bad times is what counts! Don’t you hear people say, “true colors of people are revealed during the worst times of your life?” Hold on to people who had helped you in your wilderness experience! One such man with a heart of gold is Barzillai, the list of the feast he gave David must be mentioned here:

2 Samuel 17: 28 - Barzillai brought “beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, 29 honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness." (Very thoughtfully planned feast!)

Barzillai, was not only great in wealth but also had a great heart! Now David was not going to forget this kindness of Barzillai. When David got old and his son Solomon becomes king, David told Solomon:1 King 2:7” show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for they assisted me when I fled from Absalom your brother.” We have record in the Bible that Barzillai’s son Chimham accompanied the king and went with him. (2 Samuel 19:40)Glory to Jesus! If a king can do this, how much more can God do for His children who are loyal to Him, tell me?

When we relocated our ministry to Hyderabad in 2009, along with children and family, my elder daughter Shalina had finished her inter- college and we were seeking for admission in Engineering College because that was her aggressive passion. Since we were from another State, admission was tough, we refused to pay bribe and waited upon God for admission with fasting and prayer. Miraculously she not only finished her computer Engineering but also completed MBA from Osmania University and she would be completing her Masters in Divinity in a couple of months. God is faithful to His servants and keeps His Word of promise!