|
FIRST
SAMUEL
First Samuel was taught by Dr. James Modlish
CHAPTER
THIRTY
OUTLINE OF THE
CHAPTER:
I. THE AMALEKITES
PILLAGE, SPOIL AND BURN ZIKLAG - (1-10)
II. DAVID OVERTAKES THE
AMALEKITES - (11-20)
III. DAVID DIVIDES THE SPOIL
- (21-31)
I. THE AMALEKITES PILLAGE,
SPOIL AND BURN ZIKLAG - (1-10)
It is certainly true
that one's failures often return to haunt him later in
life. The Bible principle is called sowing and reaping.
Unfortunately, others often reap along with the guilty
offender. The Amalekites attack Ziklag while the men are
away. It was this very group that Saul failed to destroy
when commanded of the Lord. "Now go and smite Amalek, and
utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them
not..." (1 Sam. 15:3). If Saul would have been obedient
to the Lord's command, the Amalekites would have been but
a part of history. Here David and his people pay for
Saul's blunder. Yet, in (2 Sam. 1:8,13), we see that it
is an Amalekite that takes the credit for striking the
death blow to Saul the king. Sin and disobedience require
a "payday" someday.
Verse six teaches us the
seriousness of the leadership position. We all know that
a leader receives much credit for things that are
accomplished with which he has little or nothing to do
with. On the other hand, the leader often is the "goat"
when things are going poorly. It is not at all unusual to
see the professional athletic coach in the unemployment
line following a losing season. The people considered
stoning David; from the penthouse to the outhouse, oh,
now quickly one can make the journey!
"David encouraged himself in
the Lord" (vs. 6). "In God I will praise his word, in God
I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do
unto me." - (Psa. 56:4). There are times in our lives
when we cannot go to any other human being for comfort
and encouragement - no one else really understands. The
Lord brings all of us to places like this, under many,
many different sets of circumstances, so that we will
turn to and trust him.
David calls for Abiathar and
the ephod. He inquires at the Lord (see notes on 1 Sam.
23), God answers telling him to "Pursue." The Lord
assures David that he will recover all that has been
taken. The six hundred begin their advance on the enemy,
but the pace is much too arduous for all. Some of the
troops cannot keep up and must stay behind as they
approach the brook Besor (vs. 10).
II. DAVID OVERTAKES THE
AMALEKITES - (11-20)
As David pursues the
Amalekites, he comes across some of their refuse. A
sickly Egyptian servant is found, who had been abandoned
by the main body, after all, he was expendable. David
seeking information and direction, feeds the young man.
... His spirit came again to him..."? (vs. 12) (Gen.
45:27; Judg. 15:19); the man is revived and interested in
cooperating with David to repay his former
employer.
The Amalekites have been
very successful in their raids and are caught "partying"
late Friday afternoon, after a long weeks work. (The
scene is very common in these United States.) If Russia
ever attacks the U.S. they would be wise to pick one of
three advantageous times: Monday morning when no one
wants to do anything; Friday afternoon, when half the
country is 'schnokered' (old German for "bombed"); or
Sunday morning when everyone is sleeping. (Check with
Pearl Harbor, the 'Japs' were not uninformed of American
sleeping habits). David's band of men sings 500 verses of
"The party's over, for the battle went on for nearly 24
hours (vs. 17). Four hundred Amalekites escape. As God
promised David and his people they recovered all (vss.
18,19).
III. DAVID DIVIDES THE SPOIL
- (21-31)
David decides to
divide the spoils evenly amongst all of his people. A
select group of wicked men, men of Belial (Deut. 13:13; 1
Sam. 2:12), are enraged when they learn that the two
hundred, who did not go to battle (vs. 10) are going to
receive a share of the booty. David is a very wise man.
First of all, he realizes that all that they have
procured is a gift from God (23). Secondly, David
understands and invokes the biblical principle of
division of the spoils. See (Num. 31:27 and Psa.
68:11,12). Those that "tarry by the stuff" deserve equal
portion with those that have actually entered into
combat. The principle serves as a great lesson to us
today. Not all Christians are pastors, evangelists,
missionaries, etc. Not all serve on "the front lines."
Yet, many a prayer warrior and those that have supported
those on the front lines over the years, will receive a
portion of the results. Many wives of the "champions of
the faith" are unknown to this day and will remain
unknown. They are known to God. Their contributions will
be rewarded as they take part an equal share of their
husband's ministry.
The word "wont" of (vs. 31)
means "accustomed to." David displays his generosity as
he "spreads the blessings" around in (vs.
26-31).
Back
To Index |
Chapter
31
|
