God’s Word Translation
1 Kings 2:7
7“Be kind to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat at your table. They helped me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom.
1 Kings 2:7 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But deal loyally with the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for with such loyalty they met me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for so they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother.
Context of 1 Kings 2:7
5“You know what Joab (Zeruiah’s son) did to me and to the two commanders of Israel’s army—Abner, son of Ner, and Amasa, son of Jether. Joab killed them. When there was peace, he shed blood as if it were wartime. With their blood he stained the belt around his waist and the shoes on his feet. 6Use your wisdom. Don’t let that gray-haired, old man go to his grave peacefully. “Be kind to the sons of Barzillai from Gilead. Let them eat at your table. They helped me when I was fleeing from your brother Absalom. 8“Shimei, son of Gera from Bahurim in Benjamin, is still with you. He cursed me repeatedly when I went to Mahanaim. But when he came to meet me at the Jordan River, I took an oath by the Lord and said, ‘As long as I’m king, I won’t have you killed.’ 9Now, don’t let him go unpunished. You are wise and know what to do to him: Put that gray-haired, old man into his grave by slaughtering him.”
Read all of 1 Kings 21 Kings 2:7 word by word
וְלִבְנֵ֨י בַרְזִלַּ֤י הַגִּלְעָדִי֙ תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־חֶ֔סֶד וְהָי֖וּ בְּאֹכְלֵ֣י שֻׁלְחָנֶ֑ךָ כִּי־כֵן֙ קָרְב֣וּ אֵלַ֔י בְּבָרְחִ֕י מִפְּנֵ֖י אַבְשָׁל֥וֹם אָחִֽיךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But shewעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- kindnessחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
- unto the sonsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Barzillaiבַּרְזִלַּיbarzillay · BarzillaiH1271
- the Gileaditeגִּלְעָדִיgil‛âdîy · GileaditeH1569
- and let them be of those that eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
- at thy tableשֻׁלְחָןshûlchân · tableH7979
- for so they cameקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126
- to me when I fledבָּרַחbârach · to fleeH1272
- becauseפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- of Absalomאֲבִישָׁלוֹם'ăbîyshâlôm 'abshâlôm · AbsalomH53
- thy brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
Cross-references for 1 Kings 2:7
- 2 Samuel 17:27When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi, son of Nahash from Rabbah in Ammon, and Machir, son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai from Rogelim in Gilead
- 2 Samuel 19:31Barzillai, the man from Gilead, came from Rogelim with the king to the Jordan River to send him on his way.
- Proverbs 27:10Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend. Do not go to a relative’s home when you are in trouble. A neighbor living nearby is better than a relative far away.
- 2 Samuel 9:7“Don’t be afraid,” David told him, “I will certainly show you kindness for your father Jonathan’s sake. I will give back to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
- 2 Samuel 19:28You could have killed anyone in my entire family, Your Majesty. Instead, you’ve seated me with those who eat at your table. So I no longer have the right to complain to the king.”
- Luke 12:37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will change his clothes, make them sit down at the table, and serve them.
- Luke 22:28“You have stood by me in the troubles that have tested me.
- Revelation 3:20Look, I’m standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll eat together.
- 2 Samuel 15:13Someone came to tell David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7But show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai - See the notes on 2 Samuel 19:31; (note), etc.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7One of the sons of Barzillai here intended was probably Chimham (see the margin reference). Who the others were is not known. The family continued down to the return from the captivity, and still held property in Israel (compare Ezra 2:61 and Nehemiah 7:63).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-11Verses 5-11 These dying counsels concerning Joab and Shimei, did not come from personal anger, but for the security of Solomon's throne, which was the murders he had committed, but would readily repeat them to carry any purpose; though long reprieved, he shall be reckoned with at last. Time does not wear out the guilt of any sin, particularly of murder. Concerning Shimei, Hold him not guiltless; do not think him any true friend to thee, or thy government…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7at your table: Like he did for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:6–13), David took care of Barzillai and his family. This privilege ensured their continued loyalty.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-111Ki 2:1-11. David Dies. 1. David ... charged Solomon his son--The charge recorded here was given to Solomon just before his death and is different from the farewell address delivered in public some time before (1Ch 28:2-9). It is introduced with great solemnity.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 2:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Kings 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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