Barzillai Berzelli

(made of iron) — the name of three persons: a) (2 Sam. 21:8) father of Adriel, whose five sons by Michal, Saul’s daughter, were delivered by David into the hands of the Gibeonites and hanged by them; b) (Ezra 2:61; Neh. 7:63) a priest who took to wife one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called by his name; c) (2 Sam. 17:27; 19:31; 1 Kings 2:7) a wealthy Gileadite, of Rogelim, and a close friend of David when he fled during Absalom’s rebellion. The rebellion was suppressed, and David was returning to Jerusalem.

Barzillai accompanied the king, together with others, across the Jordan itself. The grateful king invited the old man to go with him to Jerusalem and spend the rest of his days at court. Barzillai declined the king’s gracious invitation, pleading his advanced age and the infirmities of old age, but his son Chimham went with David in his father’s place. The conversation that took place between King David and Barzillai on this occasion is without doubt one of the most touching that one may read on the pages of Biblical history (2 Sam. 19:31–39).

David, even shortly before his own death, took thought for the sons of Barzillai, commending them to the special care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:1–7), and even made them members of his royal household.