Barzillai, a Man of Faith

When word comes that Absalom is dead, David grieves deeply, though Absalom was the son who had rebelled against him. Joab rebukes him for it and even threatens him, insisting that he go out and encourage his men. As the king returns to his palace, two men come out to meet him: Shimei, begging for his life, and Barzillai, who in his old age had served David.

David had shown Joab forgiveness and given him chance after chance, yet Joab never turned from his ways, and in the end David set him aside and appointed Amasa in his place. Shimei, too, only pretended to seek pardon because he was overpowered; his heart remained unchanged, and later he came under judgment. Barzillai, by contrast, stood faithfully by David both when the king was brought low and when his power was restored, and he declined the riches of the palace in Jerusalem, choosing to remain in his own town.

Those who do not forget the grace they have received and repay it with thanksgiving bear different fruit from those who are forgiven and still do not turn. Barzillai carried good seed and bore the fruit of eternal life; Shimei carried evil seed and bore the fruit of death. A life that keeps God at its heart and serves him in humility is, in the end, the blessed life of faith.