Share and Share Alike

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 30-31; 2 Samuel 1; 1 Chronicles 10

Abbreviated Reading: 1 Samuel 30

In today’s reading we find one little side note that, if noticed can speak volumes. David and his men had just arrived back from battle and found their homes ransacked and their families taken captive. (1 Sam 30:3) Their hearts filled with despair – David sought the Lord for instruction and God told him to pursue the enemy. They had just finished fighting and were exhausted. “But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Sam 30:6)

David and 600 men headed out to battle again. As they pursued their enemy they came across a ravine and 200 of the men were too exhausted to cross it (1 Sam 30:9), so they stayed behind with the supplies. David and the others continued on and were victorious. They conquered the Amalekites and rescued their families.

David and his men returned with a lot of plunder. The men who had found the strength to fight did not want to divide it with those who had stayed behind. But David is a wonderful example of how God is so gracious to us – David reminds his men that it was God who gave them the strength and the victory and instructs that “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” 1 Sam 30:24.

What a wonderful picture of our precious Jesus. When we were unable, He fought our battle for us, defeated our enemy, rose victorious and has made us co-heirs with Him (Rm 8:15-17). We did nothing, but share equally. Amazing!

So, if you find yourself exhausted today, rest in the Lord. He has fought the battle for you and is coming again and His reward is with Him (Rev 22:12).

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30