Barzillai the Gileadite בַּרְזִלַּי הַגִּלְעָדִי
he fed the fleeing king and refused the reward
A wealthy man of Rogelim in Gilead. When David, fleeing from Absalom, reached Mahanaim, Barzillai with two others brought the troops couches, basins and earthenware, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans and lentils, honey, curds, a flock and cheese—"for they said: the people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness" (II Samuel 17:27–29).
The refusal. On the return the king called him along: "Cross over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem." Barzillai answered: "How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am this day eighty years old; can I tell between good and bad? Can your servant taste what he eats or what he drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?" (19:34–36).
In his place he sent Chimham. And David, dying, charged Solomon: "To the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite show kindness, and let them be among those who eat at your table" (I Kings 2:7).
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Tanakh
- Shmuel II 17:27–29 — the provisions brought to the troops at Mahanaim
- Shmuel II 19:32–40 — the eighty years, the refusal to go to Jerusalem, and Chimham in his place
- Melachim I 2:7 — David's charge concerning Barzillai's sons
Basis: stated in the Tanakh.