"RIGHT PRIORITIES" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 10/21/25

“Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.” (II Samuel 19:37)

Barzillai was a devout man, and like every truly devout soul, he had his priorities well in order. These words, which essentially make up his response to a most gracious offer made to him by his beloved, King David, are sufficient to show that he “had it all together.” David, along with many of his loyals, who stood by him through perhaps the most devastating and painful trial of his life and reign, is now returning to his city and his home. We watched him as he crossed over the Brook Kidron with his loyal followers, having been forced to abdicate his throne to his wicked, rebellious son. The return was bittersweet. He had suffered betrayal by dear friends, cursing by enemies who remained loyal to the house of Saul, and most heart-rending of all (right or wrong), the death of his beloved son, Absalom. His mourning was so bitter and long that it adversely affected people, so that in returning, they appeared as though they were mourning a loss, instead of celebrating a victory.

As we come to our present passage, King David has now collected himself, perhaps largely due to the stinging rebuke delivered by his captain, Joab, at the beginning of this chapter. Joab felt that David was disrespecting his loyal friends and supporters, who had been faithful through thick and thin, and had made great sacrifices to see the insurrection put down and the usurper put to death. Joab may have overstepped in speaking to the King as he did: “I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.” In any case, David received the rebuke and sent encouraging messages to the people. The men of Judah then took the lead in bringing the king home again.

Here we have the names of certain individuals to whom David showed particular kindness on this day of celebration. Shimei received a pardon for his cursing of the king. Abishai, one of David’s loyal “Mighty Men,” asked for permission to take his head off when it happened, but David disallowed it. Though perhaps he deserved to die for so speaking to the Lord’s anointed, David received it as from the Lord, and spared Shimei’s life. Now Shimei asks for and receives the king’s gracious pardon. Mephibosheth was allowed the opportunity to set the record straight regarding what appeared to be, and was reported to be, an act of unthinkable betrayal of the king, who had been so kind and generous to him, making him as one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had all of his inheritance restored and was treated again as a son.

And then, there was Barzillai, who, in spite of his old age and feebleness, made his way down to Rogelim in Gilead. This man had no cloud over his head, as did the others. He had never been anything other than loyal to King David and had willingly put himself in jeopardy in order to show kindness and give support to the king. This he did at great expense to himself, and also at great risk of life. David was not one to allow a good deed to go unrewarded, and especially so, when such actions flowed from a heart of love. King David was very conscientious about returning kindness for kindness, but Barzillai represents those who serve out of true love and loyalty, and who seek not a recompense of reward.

In his response to David’s proffer, Barzillai exemplifies truly devout souls who have their priorities in perfect order. Notice, he clearly felt that his days were few, and that he could be of little use to his King in the high and honorable place he was offered. Thus, he was perfectly content to decline and live out his life where he could be of better service. It isn’t about titles and positions, but rather, it is about faithful service. Notice also that seeing his own mortality, he wanted to see to the future well-being of his son.

Let us see it as a top priority to see our children in the King’s service. Then, we can die in peace, knowing that our children are in the service of the Lord. May we, as dying men, have wisdom to give first priority to things eternal, not merely with respect to our own soul, but to the souls of our family.