David recruited history’s greatest warriors. Jashobeam killed 300 with a spear. Eleazar and David stood back-to-back and slew a Philistine army. Benaiah killed a lion and killed an 8-ft giant with the giant’s own spear. Saul’s relatives could use either spears or slings and fight equally well with their right or left hands. Another group was “expert with shield and spear, their faces the faces of lions, and they were swift as gazelles… the least was a match for a hundred, the greatest for a thousand” 1 Chronicles 12:8, 14. The man who slew Goliath could recruit fighters as well as anyone.
But the thing about fighters is—they FIGHT. Many of these had been loyal to David, but the relatives of Saul had fought AGAINST David. This was not a feud, it was a civil war.
Only David could fix it. He went to Saul’s troops in a spirit of unity:
“If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies … may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge” 1 Chron.12:17. The men swore their allegiance to the young king and he “received them and made them leaders of his troops” v.18.
Finally, the fighting between Saul and David was over. It was time for peace in Israel (and for fighters to focus on foreign enemies).
Jesus values unity. He said “blessed are the peacemakers” Matt.5:9. You can be a mighty warrior—but don’t fight your own team! Christians should not fight each other over politics, vaccines, or church doctrine. Sure, these issues matter. But lay down your weapons and have a conversation in love, unity, and godliness. It’s not a bitter civil war. Remember the story David Self told about Grandpa: when deacons’ meetings went from civil to bitter, he spoke up—not taking sides but calling his brothers to unity.
“By THIS shall all men know that you are My DISCIPLES: if you love one another” John 13:35.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 