“David was in serious trouble: the people were talking about stoning him to death, because all the people were in such deep grief, each man over his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in Adonai his God.”-1 Samuel 30:6
David was in BIG trouble.
Upon returning to Ziklag and finding out the Amalekites had kidnapped their wives and children, the men were about to stone him.
Did David deserve to be blamed?
I hate to say this but the truth is he did.
It was David’s deceit and lies that led to this situation.
While David was off leading his men to fight against God’s people, the Amalekites took advantage of their absence and launched their attack.
There’s a huge lesson here that can be summed up in these words of Yeshua:
“No one can serve two masters;
for either, he will hate the one and love the other,
or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and wealth.”
-Matthew 6:24
David had tried to play both sides and now he and his men were paying the price.
The men couldn’t legitimately lay all the blame on David however.
It’s not like they were captives or slaves David forced to accompany him into battle.
They could of resisted but they didn’t.
Nevertheless, they were so outraged and shocked they decided on the spot to stone David.
Fortunately, the men soon came to their senses and realized that killing their leader wouldn’t make the situation any better.
Verse 6 tells us that David strengthened himself in Adonai.
We can see here that despite all of his imperfections, David was a man whose heart was after God.
There’s a major takeaway here.
During times of serious trouble, the first thing we should do is bring it to the Lord.
Notice I said the FIRST thing you should do…
Not the second or third thing.
Unfortunately, too many of us treat God as the last resort after exhausting every other option on the planet.
Let those who have ears to listen, SHEMA!
You need to edit one sentence, where you mention how in verse 6 David strengthened himself in Adonai, you have “God” there instead of David. 😉
And, Yes! God should always be the first place we go to for help, but since we humans are self-centred and obstinate and want to feel that we are in control of our lives. Not to mention so many of the worldly “guru’s” who tell us we should be empowered…oh, yeah, and the best of all is that lie straight from Sheol; you know, the one that goes “God helps those who help themselves”?
What a crock!
God helps those who call on him! That’s what David knew, and that is what your lesson tells us.
Edit done. Thanks for the heads up!
Yes, I love how you debunked the common and false idea that “God helps those who help themselves” and replaced it with the truth that God helps those who call on Him.
I find that so much more inspiring.
Be blessed brother!
“Verse 6 tells us that God strengthened himself in Adonai.”
I think it should read “Davud strengthened himself in Adonai.”
I fixed it. Thanks.