Today’s verse is on 1 Samuel 30, but before we go there, we have to start with 1 Samuel 29. As I started reading, I realized I needed further context. David had been on the battle field for well over a year. The princes of the Philistines started asking what David’s purpose was. Achish responded kindly and said that he had been with him for days and years, and he had never found a fault with him, however, the princes of the Philistines insisted that he and his army be sent home. David had been very successful in battle – while Saul had slain thousands, David had slain tens of thousands – so why was he being sent home? So while it was not Achish desire to send David away, to maintain peace, he sent him and his men home. Again, David was reluctant, but he was being let go, and he knew he didn’t have much choice but to obey.
Fast forwarding to 1 Samuel 30, David gets back to his camp on the 3rd day. When he returns, he finds that all the women and children, and all their stuff had been taken away. David and his men wept, and it says, until they had no more power to weep. Imagine the sight of these great men who had just returned from battle – weeping over the loss of their loved ones? While many of us would just run out and go to try to fight this great battle on our own, David stopped and enquired of the Lord. He asked him if he should pursue the troop and if he should overtake them. And God answered and gave his blessing and his promise that David would not only overtake them, but would recover all without fail.
The story continues – but what’s worth noting is that even in David’s distress of searching for his enemies, he was kind to the Egyptian who they found, and nursed him back to health – while his own master had left him for dead. Through kindness and a promise, David was able to get valuable information from this Egyptian, which led to him being able to overtake their entire army.
Lord, help me to understand that sometimes when doors are closed and I’m asked to leave or things don’t go the way I expected, that it may actually be for my benefit. Help me not to stay so focused on that closed door, that I miss the blessings of all the other doors opening around me. Help me to have such a relationship with you, that when I ask questions, I can hear your answer of you directing my path.