1 Kings 2:7 But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at your table… Barzillai's truly Highland courtesy, also, is abundantly conspicuous in the too-short glimpse we get of the lord of Rogelim. For, how he anticipated all David's possible wants! How he put himself into all David's distressed place! How he did to David as David would have done to him! How he came down from his high seat, with all his years on his head, in order with his own hand to conduct the king over Jordan! And, then, with what sweetness and music of manner and of speech he excused himself out of all the royal rewards and honours and promotions David had designed and decreed to put upon him! The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing, pays itself. Your Highness' part Is to receive our duties; and our duties Are to your throne and state children and servants, Which do but what they should, by doing everything Safe towards your love and honour. The rest is labour which is not used for you.The humility, also, of that Old Testament hero is already our New Testament humility in its depth and sweetness and beauty. In my spare hours this winter I have been delighting myself with Plutarch's Lives in Thomas North's Bible English. But how often as I read one noble name after another have I exclaimed, Oh, if some of those great men of old had only been among the Greeks who came to Philip, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus! Had they only seen Jesus, or even heard or read Paul! Then what ornaments would they have been in all New Testament nobleness and courtesy and humility. (Alex. Whyte, D. D.) 1 Kings 2:8, 9 Vers. 8, 9. And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei, the son of Gera. Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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