The dying king was cold. So cold, in fact, that no amount of bedclothes could warm him. His concerned servants called for a teen virgin, her sole purpose to generate some body heat and bring him relief from his trembling. Nestled beside him, the beautiful Abishag was thrilled to serve her king. Gently, her young hands would grasp his aged ones, rubbing the arthritic knuckles and massaging his palms.
His hands, now bent and gnarled, once yielded shield, sword, and sling.
As eager as he was to meet his Lord at last, he knew he must endure this earth a little longer to finish the task God had set before him: making sure Solomon was his successor and not Adonijah, and giving Solomon his last instructions.
With little time, he prayed that Solomon would seek wisdom. Speaking was labored; hopefully, Solomon would remember all he had learned from his father about shepherding God's chosen people. At this time, there was only breath enough to warn him of a few remaining enemies.
"You also know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me . . . Act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head descend to Sheol in peace."
"Keep an eye on Shimel son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River and I swore to him by the Lord: 'I will never kill you with the sword' . . . So don't let him go unpunished . . . "
His mind fading, he searched and grasped for more.
"Show loyalty to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table because they supported me when I fled from your brother Absalom."
Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.**
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I could have done a word search for Barzillai's name and found out whether he was mentioned in scripture again, but it has been much more delightful to find him this way! Because of my involvement in other Bible studies, my reading of the Bible (front to back then front again) is going at a slower pace. It's a luxury to not be in a hurry, to read only a chapter and digest it before moving on.
Barzillai again!
His was such a simple act of hospitality, yet it wasn't. He found the king's favor to such a degree that the dying king summoned the strength to mention him to his son, Solomon, with his last wish being favor towards the sons of Barzillai. Remember, Barzillai was already 80 when he aided the king so he couldn't possibly be living still, but that didn't mean the king had forgotten or was no longer grateful.
If I can't serve the father with my thanks, I will serve the sons.
Still hopeful to be found practicing hospitality!
**1 Kings 2:1-12
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