1 Samuel 30:21-31
21 When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David and had been left behind at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them.
22 Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, “Since they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoils that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, so that they may lead them away and leave.”
23 But David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, for He has protected us and handed over to us the band of raiders that came against us.
24 And who will listen to you in this matter? For as is the share of the one who goes down into the battle, so shall be the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.”
25 So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoils to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Behold, a gift for you from the spoils of the enemies of the Lord:
27 to those who were in Bethel, to those who were in Ramoth of the Negev, to those who were in Jattir,
28 to those who were in Aroer, to those who were in Siphmoth, to those who were in Eshtemoa,
29 to those who were in Racal, to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,
30 to those who were in Hormah, to those who were in Bor-ashan, to those who were in Athach,
31 to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men walked.
A New Statute for Israel
Equal share
Dealing with post-war matters is always a significant issue, one of which is concerning the distribution of spoils. (1) Among David’s men, there were “wicked men,” who were individuals with criminal histories that gathered around David to escape punishment. (2) These men said spiteful things about the 200 who had stayed behind at the brook Besor, arguing, “Since they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoils that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, so that they may lead them away and leave.” In other words, they said that they could take back their families, but could not reclaim their belongings, even if they were their own. This would leave the 200 men unable to sustain their lives. (3) In response, David decreed that those who fought and those who stayed behind should share the spoils equally, as everything was achieved through God’s grace. This “law of grace” established by David became a long-standing statute and ordinance in Israel. This principle applies even in the New Testament time. Those who go into the battlefield represent missionaries and pastors who go out to mission fields, while those who stay behind are Christians who support the ministry through prayer and offerings. According to the “law of grace,” the reward received from the Lord in heaven will be the same for both groups. Let’s remember this principle and actively support missionary works.
Gift
Through what happens next, David’s kindness and generosity are displayed. (1) Instead of keeping the large amount of spoils (herds of livestock) for himself, he distributed it among the cities that had taken care of them during their time of fleeing. Moreover, he sent them saying, “Behold, a gift for you from the spoils of the enemies of the Lord.” Among these cities were likely those that had suffered from the Amalekites’ raids. (2) Jesus Christ is full of grace. Those who wish to be disciples of Jesus should not forget gratitude and should also be gracious to their neighbors. What can you learn from David’s generous attitude?
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. I place my trust in You today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.