For about the last week or so I’ve been dwelling on a heartbreaking event in King David’s life. Actually, this event occurred before he had been crowned king.
King Saul was ruthlessly pursuing David and trying to kill him and his men. David found favor with the king of the Philistines. (Remember, David had killed Goliath just a few years earlier, so this was quite amazing.) David and his men and their families lived in the town of Ziklag.
Achish, the Philistine king, was going to battle against King Saul. David and his 600 men volunteered to fight with them but the commanders of Achish’s army refused to fight with David, so Achish told David to take his men and go home.
In the 3 days it took for David and his men to return to Ziklag, his town had been attacked, burned to the ground and all the livestock plus the women and children had been stolen by the Amalekites. When David and his men saw what had happened to their families they were devastated, overcome with grief, immobilized by sorrow.
“Then David and the people with him cried out in a loud voice until they had no more strength to cry…6 And David was very troubled because the people talked about killing him with stones. For all the people were very angry in their sorrow for their sons and daughters. But David got his strength from the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:4-6 NLV
Everything was lost. They were dejected, angry and ready to lash out. BUT, David drew on God’s strength and wisdom.
” 8 Then David asked the Lord, “Should I go after this army? Should I meet them in battle?” The Lord said to him, “Go after them, for you will catch them for sure. And you will be sure to save all the people.” I Samuel 30:8 NLV
David and 400 of his men went in pursuit of the Amalekites, 200 men were too weary to fight so they stayed behind. With God’s help, the Amalekites were killed and David “recovered all” that had been stolen.
“ David took back all that the Amalekites had taken, and saved his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, small or large, sons or daughters, food or anything that had been taken. David returned with all of it. 20 And he took all the sheep and cattle. The people drove those animals in front of him, and said, “This is what belongs to David.” verses 18-20 NLV
Jesus said this about a thief, about the devil.
“The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV
And the Apostle Paul said this.
“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 NLV
I was thinking about things that have been stolen – peace of mind, hope, security, joy, relationships, health, finances… Like David, we seek the Lord and He will fight for us. He will make the thief repay and He will bless us with a great full life!