The Faithful Friend of the King | Prophetic Song of Barzillai the Gileadite | 2 Samuel

🌾 When David fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 15–19), many abandoned him. But Barzillai the Gileadite stepped in with quiet courage—bringing beds, food, and care at Mahanaim (2 Sam 17:27–29). Later, when David returned, Barzillai refused reward, asking that Chimham (likely his son/servant) go instead (2 Sam 19:31–39). This is covenant loyalty in action: generosity without fanfare, humility without self-promotion, and an intergenerational vision that passes honor forward. 👑🌾

Prophetic takeaway: God’s Kingdom is upheld not only by visible warriors, but by hidden sustainers. In times of exile and shaking, the Spirit highlights those who carry the King by serving His people. Barzillai’s “no” to prestige and “yes” to faithfulness is a model for end-time disciples—honor without hype, legacy without ego. 🕊️

📖 Original Text (2 Samuel 17:27–29; 19:31–39, WEB)
When David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, brought beds, basins, earthen vessels, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, roasted grain, honey, butter, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, “The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness.” … Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim; and he went over the Jordan with the king, to conduct him over the Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very old man, even eighty years old. He had provided the king with sustenance while he stayed at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man… The king said to Barzillai, “Come over with me, and I will sustain you with me in Jerusalem.” Barzillai said to the king, “How many are the days of the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am eighty years old today. Can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be yet a burden to my lord the king? … Please let your servant go back again, that I may die in my own city, by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold, your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good to you.” The king answered, “Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him what shall seem good to you; and whatever you shall require of me, that will I do for you.” All the people went over the Jordan, and the king went over. The king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned to his own place.

🎶 Lyrics —The Faithful Friend of the King

Verse 1
When David fled from Absalom’s hand,
The crown lay heavy across the land.
Hungry and weary, his people came,
With nowhere to turn but the Lord’s great name.

Barzillai of Gilead, aged and wise,
Brought bread, lentils, and meat for their lives.
No trumpet sounded, no banners flew,
But mercy rose up in the faithful few. 🌾

Chorus 1
Not for riches, not for fame,
He stood by David in the day of shame.
An old man’s hands, but a loyal heart—
The faithful remain when the proud depart. 🕯️

Verse 2
When the river Jordan lay cold and wide,
Barzillai walked at the King’s side.
David said, “Come dwell with me,
Share in my table, eat royally.”

But the old man answered with grace so true,
“My years are many, my strength is through.
Take Chimham instead, let the young man go—
I’ve given my heart, that’s all I owe.” 👴➡️👦

Chorus 2
He gave bread to the hungry,
A bed to the worn,
Stood with the King when the crown was torn.
No trumpet sounded, no scroll was read—
But heaven remembers the life he led. 📜✨

Verse 3
Not by sword, not by might,
But by quiet service in the night.
A prophet’s honor, a servant’s song,
Strength made perfect when the weak are strong.

The King was carried on faithful ground,
By hearts that give when the world turns ’round.
Barzillai’s name may fade from men,
But the story of love is told again. ❤️

Chorus 3
The King was carried by the faithful few,
Not by the mighty, but the humble and true.
Barzillai’s name may fade on earth,
But it shines in the book of eternal worth. 📖🔥

Bridge (spoken / blues riff)
When the crown was broken, he brought bread.
When the King was weary, he gave rest.
When the river waited, he walked near.
A faithful friend, a heart sincere. 🤝

Final Chorus (Chorus 1 reprise)
Not for riches, not for fame,
He stood by David in the day of shame.
An old man’s hands, but a loyal heart—
The faithful remain when the proud depart. 🕯️👑

📲 Follow / Connect
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidSangtheBlues
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidsangtheblues/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/DSTBlues
Odysee: https://odysee.com/@DavidSangTheBlues:9

💖 Support the Music & Mission
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DavidSangTheBlues

SEO / Hashtags:
Barzillai the Gileadite, The Faithful Friend of the King, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 19, Chimham, prophetic worship