Finding Grace in the Lord

1 Samuel 30:21–31

Paul J. Bucknell

Moral dilemmas | Difficult testings | Rewards and conclusion | Questions

Handling Rewards (1 Samuel 30:21-31)

Special Rule (1 Samuel 30:10,21-25)

There are two concluding insights regarding the spoils from the Amalekites that they acquired.

21 When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left 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 answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.” 23 Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.

24 “And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.” (1 Samuel 30:21-24).

Share and share alike. David insisted on rewarding equally those on the front lines and those staying back at the camp. Those who disagreed with David were called ‘wicked and worthless’ men (20:21). David was addressing greed among the people (Saul earlier refused to rebuke the people’s greed - 1 Samuel 15:19). They were willing to have their spouses and children returned but still wanted their goods. David recognized that true deliverance came from God (30:23). As a result, David established a new rule in the army - everyone shares alike. This has several helpful lessons for daily life and attitudes.

Application: Think of a mother at home nursing a child while the husband is visiting visitors. God will reward them both. When I travel or write, I am glad that God will reward us equally. This is also true in a church. Some might have seemingly more significant ministries, while it is easy to underestimate the prayers of a sick elderly widow. God knows we live as a body, serve together, and will be rewarded together.

Special Favors (1 Samuel 30:26-31)

26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Behold, a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD: 27 to those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negev, and to those who were in Jattir, 28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, 29 and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, 30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor-ashan, and to those who were in Athach, 31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”

On one hand, we see that David was not going to take any spoil for himself. He had done wrong and was not going to reward himself for his wrongdoing, even though the Lord made things turn out okay in the end. We see David doing similar things when he refused the offer of free property for an altar of God (2 Samuel 24).

Second, we see how David took the spoils he had and used them as gifts for elders in various Israelite cities. He realized he could no longer continue the deceitful game he had been playing for the past few years. That was the end. So, he began building good relationships with those in Israel again. He could see that things might not go well with Saul, as they indeed didn’t. He wanted to lay the groundwork for a good path back into leadership if this was the right time.

Conclusion

1 & 2 Samuel portray a beautiful picture of God’s incredible grace. The tests David faced were largely due to his sin. However, these were closely overseen by the Almighty God. The Lord rescued David and his men from the moral mess they were in. He perfectly timed their return so they would see the destruction and be humbled. The Lord ensured that the Amalekites did not kill the people but took them alive. He also made sure there was an Egyptian on the road who could show them where the Amalekites were. God disciplines. He is not focused on a general judgment but on effective training so we can better reflect God's wonderful mercy.

Moral dilemmas | Difficult testings | Rewards and conclusion | Questions