Deeper Reflection
AS 1 SAMUEL DRAWS to a close, David was on his way toward fulfilling God’s call for him to be Israel’s next king (2 Sam 1-2). In his present circumstances, David needed to ensure and establish unity among (vv.21-25) and with (vv.26-31) the people who would follow and support him when he becomes king. Some “wicked and worthless men” among the 400 who fought the Amalekites with David were opposed to his idea of sharing the spoil equally with the 200 who were “too exhausted” to join them in battle (vv.9-10, 21-22). David needed to stop dissensions among his people. He did so by pointing them to God and His grace, that their victory over the Amalekites and the spoil they had acquired was because “the LORD has given us…has kept us and delivered into our hand” (v.23). And he called them to recognise “corporate equality”⁷, that the one “who goes to battle” and the one “who stays by the baggage” “share alike” (v.24). They were to recognise that “successful military operations require the performance of different tasks” and that “each job is vital to the success of the whole effort”⁸. This is also true for the Body of Christ in fulfilling God’s purpose (Eph 4:11-16). David sought to strengthen relationships with the elders of Judah and his friends by sending them gifts from the spoil (v.26). Strong relationships, built with humility, gentleness, patience and loving forbearance, are vital to diligent keeping of “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:2-3).

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⁷ Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, The New American Commentary (B & H, 1996), 279

⁸ Robert D. Bergen, 279