Reading: I Samuel 28 – 31
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike(I Sam. 30:23-24).
David had amassed quite a following while in exile. His initial band was made up of misfits and malcontents with nowhere else to turn (I Sam. 22:2), but it soon expanded to include trained fighting men who had become dissatisfied with the leadership of Saul (I Chr. 12:1-40). Eventually, every tribe in Israel was represented in the army of David. By the time of Saul’s last, fatal run-in with the Philistines, the men under David’s command numbered at minimum 600 (I Sam. 30:9).
Exile with David had proven profitable for these men. From their new home in Ziklag, they successfully launched raids on the Geshurites, Gezrites, and the Amalekites (27:8-9). They used the spoils and provisions gained in these raids to provide for their families and make a comfortable life for themselves, far out of the reach of Saul. When it became apparent that battle between the Philistines and the armies of Saul was imminent, this quiet, comfortable life was threatened. They had no desire to go to war against their fellow Israelites, but they stood to lose everything if they refused to fight. In the end, they did not have to choose. The Lord rewarded David’s faithfulness and trust by having them sent away from the battle (29:6-11).
Their joy at having been spared from the frontlines of the battle with Saul turned quickly to anguish when they arrived back home and discovered that the city had been raided in their absence and that all of their families had been taken captive. As one man, they turned to pursue the Amalekite raiders, but the prolonged chase soon caused the differences in the ages, training, and conditioning of David’s mixed band to be readily apparent. At the brook of Besor, 200 of his men succumbed to exhaustion and were left behind to guard the camp (30:9-10).
David's men were victorious over the Amalekites. They retrieved every captive alive and unharmed, and they also stripped their enemies of everything of value, resulting in a large quantity of plunder. Those who fought the actual battle felt entitled to the spoils. They looked down on their fellow countrymen who had stayed behind. David, however, viewed things differently: as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
Contrary to frequent misinterpretations, this verse is not meant to be a ringing endorsement of socialism. While Scripture does indeed teach us that God expects us to share what we have with those in need, that is also not the lesson that is being imparted here. Today’s lesson is meant to underscore the importance of teamwork.
David viewed his fighting men as a cohesive unit. Each individual member was highly valued and necessary for the wellbeing of the whole. Consequently, he believed that all should share in the victories, just as all would shoulder the responsibility for defeat. Centuries later, the Apostle Paul applied this same principle to those who had joined to form the body of Christ (the Church). What was true then is still true today. Together, we serve the Lord. Together, we receive His blessings.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it(I Cor. 12:26).
Thought For Today:If the soul is truly willing, though the body is weak, God is no less satisfied.
Christ Revealed:Through the Urim (I Sam. 28:6), which was used to determine the will of God. Today Christ speaks to us through His Spirit and when we read His Word. (Heb. 1:1-2). (John 16:13).
Word Studies:28:2 keeper of mine head = permanent captain of my bodyguard; 28:7 familiar spirit = demonic spirit that works through a medium, spiritualist, witch, or fortune-teller (Lev. 19:31; 20:6,27; Deut. 18:9-12); 28:14 mantle = robe.
Pray For Staff:Gilbert Palafox • Country: Kazakhstan (17,736,896) Central Asia • Major Languages: Kazakh, Russian • Religious tolerance • 70.2% Muslim; 23.9% Russian Orthodox; 2.3% Other Christian; 0.1% Buddhist; 0.2% Other; 2.8% Atheist; 0.5% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to work in your life in whatever way pleases Him (Heb. 13:21).
Optional ReadingActs 11