May the Lord help each of us to have the spirit of Barzillai in seeking to help each other when passing through trials and failures in life. David had sinned grievously in the matter of Uriah’s wife and the cold-blooded murder of his faithful soldier. Through Absalom, God was chastising him and at the same time testing the fidelity of all the children of Israel to His anointed. What was the result? At this juncture, when the fortunes of David were at the lowest ebb, Barzillai met him and ministered to his needs. He did not concern himself with what others might do. Had not David dishonored the throne and perverted the fountain of justice? But He was the Lord’s anointed, and so he ministered to his need. It was a right act, for it was in accordance with God’s thoughts. He and others “brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse, and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty.” David was to be chastised, but his needs were not to be ignored. Barzillai’s age did not hinder him from helping, and he acted without any thought of reward. He only thought of the king in his need and did what he could to succor him.
Christian Truth (adapted)