2 Samuel 19:31-33: And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim and went across the
Jordan with the king, to escort him across the Jordan. Now Barzillai was a very aged man, eighty
years old. And he had provided the king with supplies while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a
very rich man. And the king said to Barzillai, “Come across with me, and I will provide for you while
you are with me in Jerusalem.”
There are times when it’s entirely appropriate to get even with someone— not, however, with
those you think have wronged you, but with those you know who have helped you. David practiced
this kind of “getting even” with Barzillai.
When the king fled from his son Absalom, he had been unable to gather the supplies needed to
support himself and his followers in the wilderness. Hearing of this, a Gileadite from Rogelim
named Barzillai and his friends brought “beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and
flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of
the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, ‘The people are hungry
and weary and thirsty in the wilderness’” (2 Sam. 17:28-29). When the crisis was over and David
was ready to return, his first desire was to “get even” with such kindness. He offered Barzillai the
opportunity to feast at the king’s table for as long as he was in Jerusalem.
What an impact we Christians would have for good in this world if we tried to get even with those
who have been kind to us. Instead of taking for granted the blessings God brings to you through
other people, seek a way to return that kindness with kindness. That’s the kind of vengeance God
approves of.
Have you been blessed today? Then get even. And if you can’t get even with the one who blessed
you, pass the blessing on to someone else.
GET EVEN WITH SOMEONE TODAY—GOD’S WAY