BEYOND ME

READING: 1 SAMUEL 30:21-25

Verse 24: “For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.”

The way we see ourselves, what we truly think of ourselves compared to others, sometimes shows up in unexpected ways. Verse 24 above provides an example of this. David and his men had just won a  battle and took great riches from the enemy. Some of the men did not actually fight in the battle because they had become exhausted while pursuing the enemy. These men were left behind to guard the supplies. Those who had gone on to fight wanted to exclude those who had stayed behind from sharing the spoils. However, David commanded that all soldiers in his army deserved the same reward. No matter what function they had performed, they were all to be included together.  Obviously, those who were in combat considered themselves to be exclusively more worthy and deserving. David’s wisdom exposed those attitudes as self-serving. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will be to us today as David was to his men. If there is any selfcenteredness or exclusiveness to be found in us, may the Spirit of the Lord cause it to be exposed. May we be corrected so that righteousness and justice will prevail in us as faithful people of God. That’s a thought- about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What defense of David’s decision are you able to offer?

2. What does this situation teach about majority rule?