04.20.2015 Old Testament: 1Sa 30.26–31

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 30.26–31 on April 20, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Why does God bless us? The Scriptures show that He blesses us that we might bless others, even as David did,

Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord”—to those who were in Bethel, those who were in Ramoth of the South, those who were in Jattir, those who were in Aroer, those who were in Siphmoth, those who were in Eshtemoa, those who were in Rachal, those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, those who were in the cities of the Kenites, those who were in Hormah, those who were in Chorashan, those who were in Athach, those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to rove (1 Samuel 30.26–31). 

David did not fight these people to enrich himself, but the Lord wanted them exterminated because of their grievous sins, and they had made themselves enemies of the Lord and righteousness.

Therefore, David did not merely keep the spoils of war for himself, but he passed them on to the rest of Israel.