The next thing David mentioned in his advice to Solomon was a recommendation of kindness to the sons of Barzillai. Along with their father, they had shown kindness to David at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. Specifically, they had provided food for David and his followers after they fled from Jerusalem.
David attempted to reward Barzillai at the time of the king’s return to the capital, but Barzillai refused the honour. He used his advanced age and inability to appreciate the offer as reasons for his decline. Still, David had remembered the kindness and wanted to reward the sons of this supporter (2 Samuel 19:31–39).
Eating at the king’s table corresponded to the modern reception of a pension or a government subsidy. It also demonstrated an act that would treat these men as if they were part of the king’s family.
The inclusion of such advice in David’s instructions to Solomon demonstrates to us that this portion of the passage cannot truly be characterized as a self-serving and unjust attempt at an act of brutal personal revenge. The true message is that the justice that the Lord’s anointed should dispense both punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous.
Far from a reason to criticize David for cruelty or brutality, this kindness extended to the sons of Barzillai serves as a reminder of the importance of returning kindness to those from whom kindness is received. Such remembrance is often lacking in human relationships. Human nature is quick to seek retribution but not so quick to seek opportunities to repay goodness with goodness (Proverbs 14:22; Colossians 3:12).
Some might say that David did not owe Barzillai (or his sons) anything because as the king, he deserved the loyalty that he received. Nonetheless, it was an act of kindness, and David was right in believing that it deserved a reward from him and his son, Solomon.
David, in his exhortation concerning Joab, was acting the part of the judge, who was righteously dispensing penal justice. He was following nothing less than the principle of justice in rewarding the sons of Barzillai.
7 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.