When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim. When David came to MahanaimThe name "Mahanaim" means "two camps" in Hebrew, indicating a place of division or duality. Historically, Mahanaim was a significant city east of the Jordan River, serving as a refuge for David during Absalom's rebellion. This location symbolizes God's provision and protection, as it was a place where Jacob also encountered angels ( Genesis 32:2). In times of distress, God provides sanctuaries for His people, reminding us of His constant presence and care. Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites
"Shobi" is a lesser-known figure, yet his actions speak volumes about loyalty and support. The mention of "Nahash" connects Shobi to a lineage that had complex relations with Israel. Rabbah was the capital of the Ammonites, a people often at odds with Israel. Shobi's support for David highlights the unexpected alliances God can orchestrate, showing that God can use even those from outside the covenant community to fulfill His purposes. Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar
"Machir" is noted for his generosity and support of David. "Lo-debar" means "no pasture" or "barren," indicating a place of desolation. Despite this, Machir's actions demonstrate that God can bring forth abundance and blessing from places of barrenness. Machir previously cared for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, showing his consistent character of kindness and loyalty. This reminds believers of the call to be generous and supportive, even when resources seem scarce. Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim
"Barzillai" is a name meaning "iron-hearted," reflecting his strength and steadfastness. As a "Gileadite," he hailed from a region known for its balm, symbolizing healing and restoration. "Rogelim" is a place whose name means "fullers," those who cleanse and purify. Barzillai's support for David in his time of need exemplifies the role of the faithful in providing strength and healing to others. His actions encourage believers to be steadfast and generous, offering support and comfort to those in distress. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom during a time of rebellion. 2. MahanaimA city in the region of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, which becomes a place of refuge for David. 3. Shobi son of NahashAn Ammonite from Rabbah, who shows loyalty to David despite being from a nation often at odds with Israel. 4. Machir son of AmmielA resident of Lo-debar, previously known for sheltering Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. 5. Barzillai the GileaditeA wealthy and influential man from Rogelim, who provides for David and his men during their time of need. Teaching Points God's Provision through OthersGod often uses people from unexpected places to provide for His servants. Just as David received help from Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai, we should be open to receiving support from diverse sources. Loyalty in Times of CrisisTrue loyalty is demonstrated in times of adversity. The support David received from these men during his flight from Absalom is a testament to their steadfastness and courage. The Importance of CommunityIn difficult times, having a supportive community is crucial. David's experience at Mahanaim underscores the value of building and maintaining strong relationships. Generosity and StewardshipBarzillai's generosity serves as a model for using one's resources to support God's work and His people. We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Cross-Cultural RelationshipsShobi's assistance to David highlights the potential for positive relationships across cultural and national boundaries, reminding us of the universal nature of God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the support David received from Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai reflect God's provision in your own life? 2. In what ways can you demonstrate loyalty and support to those in leadership or in crisis within your community? 3. Reflect on a time when you received help from an unexpected source. How did this experience shape your understanding of God's provision? 4. How can you use your resources to support others in need, following the example of Barzillai? 5. What steps can you take to build and strengthen cross-cultural relationships in your own life, inspired by Shobi's actions? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 11Provides background on Nahash, the father of Shobi, and his interactions with Israel, highlighting the complex relationships between Israel and the Ammonites. 2 Samuel 9Describes Machir's previous kindness to Mephibosheth, illustrating his character and willingness to support David. 1 Kings 2:7Later, David instructs Solomon to show kindness to the sons of Barzillai, acknowledging Barzillai's loyalty and support. People Abiathar, Abigail, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Ahithophel, Amasa, Ammiel, Ammonites, Arkite, Barzillai, Dan, David, Hushai, Ithra, Jesse, Jether, Joab, Jonathan, Machir, Nahash, Shobi, Zadok, ZeruiahPlaces Bahurim, Beersheba, Dan, En-rogel, Gilead, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Lo-debar, Mahanaim, Rabbah, RogelimTopics Ammiel, Am'miel, Ammon, Ammonite, Ammonites, Barzillai, Barzil'lai, Bene-ammon, David, Debar, Gileadite, Lodebar, Lo-debar, Machir, Mahanaim, Mahana'im, Makir, Nahash, Pass, Rabbah, Rogelim, Ro'gelim, Shobi, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 17:27-28 5268 cooking 2 Samuel 17:27-29 4404 food
4456 grain
4532 vegetables
4542 wheat
5212 arts and crafts
8447 hospitality, examples Library "The King Kissed Barzillai. " 2 Sam. xix. 39
And no wonder, for David could appreciate a real man when he saw him, and so does David's Lord. I.--LOYALTY IS PRECIOUS TO THE KING OF KINGS. In the days when the son of Jesse had but few friends, it was a precious thing to be treated in the style Barzillai and his neighbours entertained him (see 2 Sam. xvii. 27-29). They were rich farmers, and had land which brought forth with abundance, so were able to act with princely hospitality to the fugitive monarch. But plenty may live with avarice, and …
Thomas Champness—Broken BreadThe Nations of the South-East
Israel was cut in two by the Jordan. The districts east of the Jordan were those that had first been conquered; it was from thence that the followers of Joshua had gone forth to possess themselves of Canaan. But this division of the territory was a source of weakness. The interests of the tribes on the two sides of the river were never quite the same; at times indeed they were violently antagonistic. When the disruption of the monarchy came after the death of Solomon, Judah was the stronger for the …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Barzillai
BY REV. GEORGE MILLIGAN, M.A., D.D. "There is nothing," says Socrates to Cephalus in the Republic, "I like better than conversing with aged men. For I regard them as travellers who have gone a journey which I too may have to go, and of whom it is right to learn the character of the way, whether it is rugged or difficult, or smooth and easy" (p. 328 E.). It is to such an aged traveller that we are introduced in the person of Barzillai the Gileadite. And though he is one of the lesser-known characters …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Continued.
In addition to the psalms already considered, which are devoted to the devout contemplation of nature, and stand in close connection with David's early days, there still remains one universally admitted to be his. The twenty-ninth psalm, like both the preceding, has to do with the glory of God as revealed in the heavens, and with earth only as the recipient of skyey influences; but while these breathed the profoundest tranquillity, as they watched the silent splendour of the sun, and the peace of …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Mr. John Bunyan's Dying Sayings.
OF SIN. Sin is the great block and bar to our happiness, the procurer of all miseries to man, both here and hereafter: take away sin and nothing can hurt us: for death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal, is the wages of it. Sin, and man for sin, is the object of the wrath of God. How dreadful, therefore, must his case be who continues in sin! For who can bear or grapple with the wrath of God? No sin against God can be little, because it is against the great God of heaven and earth; but if the sinner …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Letter xxxvi (Circa A. D. 1131) to the Same Hildebert, who had not yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope.
To the Same Hildebert, Who Had Not Yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope. He exhorts him to recognise Innocent, now an exile in France, owing to the schism of Peter Leonis, as the rightful Pontiff. To the great prelate, most exalted in renown, Hildebert, by the grace of God Archbishop of Tours, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, sends greeting, and prays that he may walk in the Spirit, and spiritually discern all things. 1. To address you in the words of the prophet, Consolation is hid from …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 17:27 NIV2 Samuel 17:27 NLT2 Samuel 17:27 ESV2 Samuel 17:27 NASB2 Samuel 17:27 KJV
2 Samuel 17:27 Commentaries
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