1 Samuel Chapters 29 & 30
1 Samuel 29: The Philistine army is set for battle and David and his men march at the rear with King Achish. But the Philistine commanders wanted David and his men to leave. Achish tells them David has been with him for years, but the commanders were angry and told the king to send David back. They didn't want to take a chance that David would turn against them in battle and he was the same man whom the women of Israel sang about in their dances and who had slain tens of thousands. So Achich gave in to his commanders and summoned David. He told David he and his men were the finest he had met, but he had to ask them to go back quietly. David argued, but King Achish insisted, so David headed back to the land of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 30: Three days later David arrived at his town of Ziklag to find the Amalekites had raided it and burned it to the ground. They carried off the women, children but didn't kill anyone. David and his men wept until they could weep no more. David's two wives were among those captured. David's men were bitter at losing their families and talked of stoning David. But David found strength in the Lord.
David asked Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and asked the Lord if he should chase the Amalekites, and if so, would he catch them. The Lord told him ,"Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" So David and his six hundred men set out and came to Besor Brook. Two hundred of his men were too exhausted to continue, but David and four hundred of his troops continued the pursuit.
Along the way, David's troops found an Egyptian man in a field. They brought him to David and fed him and gave him water to drink. When his strength returned, David asked who this man was. The man replied that he was an Egyptian slave of an Amalekite and his master left him behind because he was sick. They had just burned David's town and the man promised David he would lead them to the Almalekite's encampment.
When David and his men arrived, the Amalekite's were spread out across fields, eating and drinking and dancing with joy at the amount of plunder they had taken from the Philistines. David and his men rushed in and slaughtered them through the night and next day. All were killed except four hundred young men who fled on camels. David got back everything the Amalekites had taken and rescued his two wives. His troops rounded up all the livestock, which was a reward for David.
When David and his troops reached the Besor Brook and met the two hundred men who had been too tired to go with them, David greeted them joyfully. But some of his men said the men who stayed behind didn't deserve to share in the plunder and wanted to just give them back their families and tell them to go.
But David refused and said for them not to be selfish with what the Lord gave them. The Lord had kept them safe and helped them defeat the enemy and they should all share alike- those that go into battle and those that guard the equipment. David made this the law of Israel for all of Israel. And when he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the leaders of Judah, who were his friends.
BIBLE NOTES SHOW: God used King Achish's commanders' anger to keep David from having to fight against Saul and his countrymen. Later when his own men looked for someone to blame for losing their families, David thankfully found his strength in the Lord and began to look for a solution. He couldn't go to the tabernacle because it was in Saul's territory, so he asked for the ephod, the only tabernacle-related object he possessed. It held the Urim and Thummim which were in a pouch.
HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? David used a servant of his enemy to find their camp. He gave him kindness and respect. We should always treat those we meet with dignity no matter insignificant they seem. You never know how God will use them to help you or haunt you.
David made a law that those who guarded equipment were to be equally treated with those who fought in battle. In our day, it takes several people to support the services of every soldier in battle. Church and other organizations provide support, as do bookkeepers, trainers, administrators etc. Are you on the front lines? Don't forget those who back you up. Your position may not be glamorous, but it may be vital to the work of an entire group. Help out any way you can.
Yours in Christ,
Mary
Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, is now able to speak and is working on rehab for paralysis. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.
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