Day4
1Samuel 30
Week 48
“And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before the other livestock. And they said, “This is David’s spoil.” Then David came to the two hundred men, who were too exhausted to follow David, whom they left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people, he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless ones from the men who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them anything from the spoil that we have rescued, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.” Then David said, “You will not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, for He has preserved us, and has delivered into our hand the raiding party that came against us. And who will listen to you in this matter? Indeed as the share is of the one going down to battle, so will be the share of the one staying with the equipment. They will share equally.” So it was so from that day forward, that he set it as a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.”
1 Samuel 30:20-25 MEV
Cross references
1Samuel 30:26;
1 Samuel 30:10;
Numbers 31:27,
Joshua 22:8
Quick To Judge
Do you ever feel like you are doing all the work?
The Kingdom of God is not like our way of thinking.
We can be quick to judge a situation or a person without understanding the whole matter.
Remember David’s men were a rough bunch. They were all in debt, distress and bitter in soul. I am sure this spoil would have been a great relief for them. They worked hard for it.
(1 Samuel 22:2)
If I was in their shoes, I may have felt the same way.
What if you did the work and risked your life to go to battle while your friends stayed behind and rested?
God’s ways are not like our ways.
The next time you find yourself quick to judge someone, consider this lesson. A lesson in mercy, compassion and generosity.
Action Step
Did you align with David’s decision and agree that the 400 men who went to battle were wicked or did you empathize with their attitude towards the weak men who stayed behind?
Ask God to help you see things like He sees them.
Lord help us to sow mercy so that we can reap mercy.
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