“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,”
My Notes
What Does 2 Samuel 17:27 Mean?
"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." David, fleeing Absalom's rebellion, arrives at Mahanaim exhausted and humiliated — a king driven from his throne by his own son. Three unlikely providers appear: Shobi (an Ammonite, from a nation David conquered), Machir (who had been sheltering Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son), and Barzillai (an elderly Gileadite). They bring beds, food, and supplies for David's entire company.
The providers are unlikely because they have every reason not to help. Shobi is from a conquered nation. Machir had been caring for the previous dynasty's survivor. Barzillai is an eighty-year-old man with no obligation to a fleeing king. Yet all three show up with exactly what David needs.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who has been your 'unlikely provider' — someone who showed up for you when they had no obligation to?
- 2.How do you respond to God's provision when it comes through unexpected sources?
- 3.What Mahanaim moment in your life revealed who your true friends were?
- 4.How do you honor the people who helped you in your wilderness after the crisis is over?
Devotional
The king is running for his life. Driven from Jerusalem by his own son. Exhausted. Humiliated. Arriving at Mahanaim with a ragtag company of loyalists. And three unlikely people show up with everything he needs.
Shobi — an Ammonite. His nation was conquered by David. He has every reason to watch David fall and enjoy it. Instead, he brings supplies. Machir — the man who sheltered Mephibosheth, Jonathan's crippled son. He'd been caring for the remnant of the previous dynasty. He shows up for the current one too. Barzillai — an eighty-year-old man from Gilead. No military obligation, no political advantage, just a wealthy old man who sees a king in need and acts.
God's provision in your darkest moments often arrives through the least expected people. Not your inner circle — they might be with Absalom. Not the obvious allies — they might be calculating odds. The Ammonite, the caretaker, and the old man. The people nobody would have predicted.
When you're at Mahanaim — when you've lost your throne, when your own family has turned on you, when the people who should be with you aren't — look for the unlikely providers. They're already on their way. God sends beds and bread through people who have every reason not to help but show up anyway.
David never forgot this. He asked Barzillai to come back to Jerusalem with him (2 Samuel 19:33). He provided for Machir's household. Loyalty in the wilderness creates bonds that the palace can't produce.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And honey and butter,.... Honey was much in use with the ancients; Homer (b) speaks of it as a part of the provisions at…
Shobi’s father may have been the king of the Ammonites, and Shobi appointed by David as tributary king or governor of…
Here is, I. The transporting of David and his forces over Jordan, pursuant to the advice he had received from his…
Loyal reception of David at Mahanaim
27. when David was come to Mahanaim The narrative is continued from 2Sa 17:17. What…
Cross References
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