David’s faithful supporters united across personal and cultural boundaries to sustain him in a time of crisis.
The verse tells us, 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 (v.27). David, who reigned as king over Israel from about 1010-970 BC, found himself in a dire situation after fleeing from his son Absalom’s rebellion. Mahanaim was located east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead—a fertile but hilly area often deemed a place of refuge (Genesis 31:49). By arriving here, David sought both strategic protection and the goodwill of local allies in a territory that had historically provided safety for God’s people.
Within this verse, three men come forward: Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai. Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of Ammon indicates that David still had support among the Ammonites, even though relationships with Ammon had sometimes been marked by tension and warfare (2 Samuel 10). Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar calls to mind an earlier act of kindness when Machir had cared for Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:4-5). Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim was an elderly and wealthy landowner in Gilead who faithfully supplied David’s company with provisions. Their presence demonstrates that God used people from varying backgrounds and regions to meet David’s physical needs, reflecting the broader biblical theme of the LORD’s provision.
As a man after God’s own heart, David repeatedly experienced moments of peril followed by tangible expressions of God’s sustaining mercy (see also 1 Samuel 23:14). In this instance, even as he faced internal upheaval and betrayal from his own family, David found loyal allies in Gilead. Their support underlines the principle that God can prompt generosity and hospitality from unlikely places, foreshadowing Jesus’ teaching that those who show kindness reflect God’s own compassionate nature (Matthew 25:40).
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2 Samuel 17:27 meaning
The verse tells us, 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 (v.27). David, who reigned as king over Israel from about 1010-970 BC, found himself in a dire situation after fleeing from his son Absalom’s rebellion. Mahanaim was located east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead—a fertile but hilly area often deemed a place of refuge (Genesis 31:49). By arriving here, David sought both strategic protection and the goodwill of local allies in a territory that had historically provided safety for God’s people.
Within this verse, three men come forward: Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai. Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of Ammon indicates that David still had support among the Ammonites, even though relationships with Ammon had sometimes been marked by tension and warfare (2 Samuel 10). Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar calls to mind an earlier act of kindness when Machir had cared for Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:4-5). Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim was an elderly and wealthy landowner in Gilead who faithfully supplied David’s company with provisions. Their presence demonstrates that God used people from varying backgrounds and regions to meet David’s physical needs, reflecting the broader biblical theme of the LORD’s provision.
As a man after God’s own heart, David repeatedly experienced moments of peril followed by tangible expressions of God’s sustaining mercy (see also 1 Samuel 23:14). In this instance, even as he faced internal upheaval and betrayal from his own family, David found loyal allies in Gilead. Their support underlines the principle that God can prompt generosity and hospitality from unlikely places, foreshadowing Jesus’ teaching that those who show kindness reflect God’s own compassionate nature (Matthew 25:40).