2 Samuel 17:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,

NIV: When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

NASB: Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,

CSB: When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim

NLT: When David arrived at Mahanaim, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash, who came from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and by Makir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and by Barzillai of Gilead from Rogelim.

KJV: And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

NKJV: Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,

Here, this story comes full circle. Years prior, Nahash, king of the Ammonites, died. David sent messengers with condolences to his son Hanun, the new king. The princes convinced Hanun that the messengers were really spies, come to find weaknesses in their defenses (2 Samuel 17:1–3). Hanun humiliated the men (2 Samuel 10:4–5), setting off a war that ended when he locked himself in a fortified city (2 Samuel 10:14).

When the time was right, David sent Joab and the army to finish the war. While Joab set siege works around Rabbah and Hanun, David took advantage of his warrior Uriah's absence and slept with his wife Bathsheba. When Bathsheba became pregnant and David couldn't hide the fact the baby wasn't Uriah's, he had Joab kill Uriah in battle (2 Samuel 11:1–17). In response, God cursed David to experience what he'd done to Uriah but worse: betrayal by someone close to him and the loss of his wives to another (2 Samuel 12:9–12). The curse was fulfilled when David's son Absalom took Israel from him and then slept with his concubines (2 Samuel 15:10–11, 37; 16:20–22).

David and his people have fled from Absalom's army and reached Mahanaim on the eastern edge of Israel (2 Samuel 17:24). They met Shobi, Hanun's brother. We're not sure what role Shobi has; David may have installed him as governor or king. As a vassal of Israel, it's proper for Shobi to meet David in his time of need. But the fact that he doesn't join Absalom against David speaks well of him.

David also meets Machir. After Saul and Jonathan died in battle, Machir took in Jonathan's son Mephibosheth who had deformed feet. David would have been culturally justified in killing all of Saul's heirs, but he didn't for two reasons. He tried hard not to battle other Israelites; he'd rather trust God for his reign no matter how long it took or how short it lasted. And he'd promised Jonathan that when he became king, he wouldn't harm him or his family (1 Samuel 20:14–17). When David heard about Mephibosheth, he brought him from Lo-debar, gave him Saul's estate, and made him a courtier (2 Samuel 9:1–8).

We have less background on Barzillai. He must be rich as he provides beds, washing basins, and all the food David's people need to recover from their flight from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 17:28–29). David is so appreciative that when the battle is over, he invites Barzillai to move to Jerusalem. Barzillai, 80 years old, points out he's too old to enjoy the luxuries David would provide. He sends his son Chimham, instead (2 Samuel 19:31–40).

Second Samuel 17:24–29 records Israel preparing for civil war. Absalom has taken Jerusalem. David's friends sabotaged Absalom's planning so David's people can reach Mahanaim. There, allies greet them with beds and food. Despite the delay, Absalom and his army are encamped on the west side of the Jordan River, ready for war. The battle will last one day. At the end, thousands will be dead, including Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). David will have to heal a nation Absalom spent four years tearing apart (2 Samuel 19).

David's cunning plan to thwart Absalom works. David enlisted Hushai's help to counter Ahithophel's advice (2 Samuel 15:31–37). Ahithophel wants to take a small force and move immediately to kill only David while he is still fleeing. Hushai suggests they wait, gather a larger army, and destroy David's men. Absalom agrees with Hushai. Hushai sends warnings through the priests and their sons, and David and his people safely cross the Jordan River. As Absalom reaches the Jordan, local leaders care for the exiles. David's army has time to get organized and prepare for battle (2 Samuel 18:1–15).

God's prior instruments of judgment see justice done to themselves. Absalom and Ahithophel rebelled against David, but now God's curses against David are complete (2 Samuel 12:9–13; 16:13, 20–23). The advisor Ahithophel watches helplessly as David's spy Hushai undermines his authority. Seeing the end, Ahithophel kills himself. Hushai helps David and his people to flee to safety. David has time to organize his fighting forces and send them into battle. In one day, they defeat Absalom's army. Against David's will, they also kill Absalom (2 Samuel 18:1–15). Now, David must do the hard work of reconciling the nation.