1 Sam
30: ~ 18-25 (ESV) David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, . . .
David brought back all. . . .
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.
NOTE: David made
good decisions in regards to people. And by doing so, he prevented roots of
bitterness from springing up. It is more likely for the 200 to be bitter for
not sharing in the reward than for the 400 to be bitter because there gain was
a little less. Not only did the group get their stuff back, but they captured
the loot from other Amakelite forays during the time of the raids on David's
home. David treated people with respect and with mercy. He was gentle,
compassionate, forgiving, and humble. He did not make harsh commands that sound
good and reasonable but really just tear others down. He shows a depth of
maturity that is unusual for his age. He already is a servant leader. I have to
believe that God has made him into the man that he is. His time with God has
transformed him as a person. His experience of pain, sorrow, battles,
exaltations, and joy have made him a stronger man. His emotions and passion,
which will be his weakness, are also his greatest strength. The key is keeping
the line of relationship with God so that his strength does not become his
weakness. Ultimately, he will fail in this respect at time. But he repents and
continues forward, broken, but still walking with God.
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