Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=1Samuel+030
CHAPTER 30 (ESV)
21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” 23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. 24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” 25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.
REFLECTION:
- When David led his troops to rescue his people captured by the Amalekites, four hundred men went with him. Two hundred exhausted men stayed behind. When they returned victoriously with their people and booty, David perceived that some of the four hundred didn’t want to share the spoils of war with those stayed behind.
- David recognized and acknowledged to everyone that God was behind their victory including preserving their lives and handing their enemies to them. Therefore, David announced that everybody, both those went to war and those stayed behind, were equal and would share everything equally.
- The closeness we cultivate with God will result in our acts in love, compassion, justice and righteousness. How do I react to news of disasters? To the oppressed?
PRAYER:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27)
Lord, I want to be like David, to love You and to be close to You; and to love others as I love myself.
