Bible Strands
1 Kings 2:7
But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David, preparing to die, commands his son Solomon to extend loyalty to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite. This directive follows an order concerning Joab in 1 Kings 2:6 and precedes an instruction regarding Shimei in 1 Kings 2:8.
The words — The text employs חֶסֶד (chesed), rendered as "loyalty" or "loving devotion," alongside תַּעֲשֶׂה (ta'aseh), "you will do." It explicitly commands Solomon to place Barzillai's sons among those who eat at the king's table.
The thread — This command mirrors David's earlier covenantal kindness to Jonathan's family in 2 Samuel 9:7 and 2 Samuel 9:10, and recalls the provisions Barzillai and others supplied when David fled to Mahanaim in 2 Samuel 17:27.
Why it lands — The verse requires a successor to reward past support with sustained material provision rather than political calculation. It establishes a standard of reciprocal obligation where former allies receive ongoing access to royal resources.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 17:27 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.
- 2 Samuel 9:7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
- 2 Samuel 9:10 You and your sons and servants are to work the ground for him and bring in the harvest, so that your master’s grandson may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
- 2 Samuel 19:31 Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and send him on his way from there.
- 2 Samuel 15:13 Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28 For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”
- Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
- Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.
- Luke 22:28 You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.
- Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.