Returning Over Jordan. So all the people crossed over the Jordan. When the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place. 2Sa 19:39
THE REIGN OF DAVID
INTRODUCTION
The Second Book of Samuel is devoted entirely to the reign of David. His coronation, first by Judah and then by all of the tribes, his wars and conquests, his care for the religious life of the people, his sins, and the calamities he suffered, are impartially set forth in vivid and convincing narrative.
“A very notable thing in the books of Samuel,” says James Robertson, “is the prominence given to music and song. There is in these books an unusual number of poetical pieces ascribed to this period, and all the indications put together give ample justification for the fame of David as the sweet singer of Israel, and for the ascription to him of the origin of that volume of sacred song which never ceased in Israel, and has become embodied in the Psalms.”
41. How did David’s return become an occasion of jealousy between the tribes?
RETURNING OVER THE JORDAN
Now Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan.
Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old; and he had provided the king with food while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very great and wealthy man.
The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and I will provide for you in Jerusalem with me.”
But Barzillai said to the king, “How much longer have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
I am this day eighty years old. Can I [be useful to advise you to] discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or drink? Can I still hear the voices of singing men and women? Why then should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
Your servant would merely cross over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king compensate me with this reward?
Please let your servant return, so that I may die in my own city [and be buried] by the grave of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham [my son]; let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what seems good to you.” [1Ki_2:7]
The king answered, “Chimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you; and whatever you ask of me, I will do for you.”
So all the people crossed over the Jordan. When the king had crossed over, he kissed Barzillai and blessed him, and he returned to his place.
Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him; and all the people of Judah and also half the people of Israel accompanied the king.
And all the men of Israel came to the king and said to him, “Why have our brothers (relatives), the men [from the tribe] of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him over the Jordan [instead of waiting for us to arrive]?”
Then all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is a close relative to us. So why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Or has anything been taken for us?”
Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten [tribes’] shares in the king, and we have more claim on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt and ignore us [by rushing ahead]? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than those of the men of Israel.
RETURNING OVER THE JORDAN
David would willingly have taken Barzillai to his palace, but the famous Gileadite respectfully declined the invitation, alleging the infirmities of old age. However, the overtures which he refused for himself he gladly accepted for his son Chimham, who accompanied the king to the city and was treated with every consideration. In himself, the youth had no claims upon David, but he stood in the merits of another-his father. His title to the king’s favor consisted entirely in his being the son of Barzillai. Similarly the believer in Jesus, who is united to Him by a living faith, is “accepted in the beloved.” We are as near and as dear to God as Jesus is, and for His sake may stand in the palace.
The invitation for David’s return had originated in the ten tribes, but, through some mismanagement, the actual welcome was given by Judah. This led to a renewed manifestation of the rivalry that at length brought about the division of the kingdom.
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