1 Samuel 30:11-13 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;… You have here a lively picture of Satan's cast off servant, "And they found an Egyptian in the field." Unable any longer go be actively employed for his master, he is left go linger out a miserable existence. Never shall one of Christ's happy servants say, "My master left me." David now finds that he had been feeding a former enemy, that this man was one of the company who had pillaged and destroyed Ziklag: but never was any David a loser by ministering to an enemy. This Egyptian is now become his guide, and leads him to the spot where the Amalekites were feasting upon what they had carried off from Ziklag. "And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth." Having been three days without any pursuers, they conclude that all is now safe, and as if the world were their own, they are spread abroad upon all the earth. Do you know the set time when sinners are to be destroyed? It is just when they say, "Peace and safety" (1 Thessalonians 5:3), when they feel most secure, and in an hour when they think not. So was it with these miserable revellers. Oh! when David's Lord comes upon His enemies like a mighty man — when He comes to recover all the spoil, when He brings the solemn charge, "Ye have robbed God" — when all is restored to its rightful owner, then shall judgment return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart shall follow it (Psalm 94:15). Do you think David could forget his two hundred faint soldiers? Not if David had any of the mind which is in Christ. No, the first act is to return to them, and salute them, or ask them how they did. But all who follow David are not like David: they would "thrust the weak with side and shoulder," and fain have all themselves. Oh! when you feel this greedy, covetous spirit, this rising fear, and jealous eye, lest another, whom you do not think so deserving, should get as much as you, remember it is the mark of an unclean animal, it is the feature of the children of Belial. Very different is the language of David and his true followers. "Then said David, Ye shall not do so," etc. Lovely law! worthy of King David, and of David's Lord! Yea, blessed be the God of all grace, "it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day." She that tarrieth at home still divides the spoil — her God reckons it her act, if it is only in her heart; yea, he graciously says, "The desire of a man is his kindness" (Proverbs 19:22). They shall part alike! the same Christ, the same Comforter, the same free gift, the same heaven. Neither did David forget any of his former friends. All who had ministered be him in his straits and difficulties shall find that he is not forgetful, nor ungrateful. To all places whither he and his men ware wont to haunt, is a present sent. "For God is not unrighteous go forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10). (Helen Plumptre.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; |
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