1 Samuel 30: Greed Shows An Ungrateful Heart

1 Samuel 30 Summary

David and his men (around 600 of them) arrive home to find that the Amalekites have raided their camp, stolen all they own and kidnapped their wives and children. After a prayer for guidance, asking God if he should launch at attack to get them back, David and his men pursue and retrieve all that was taken.
Some of the men who had been to exhausted to go the entire distance had stopped half way to the battle and watched over the supplies. The men who had gone to battle did not want to share the riches that had been gained from the victory, but David would not hear of it. Here is what David said, 1 Samuel 30:23

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. 24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”

David then also took some of the riches and sent it to select places in Judah where he and his men had formerly roamed.

My Take Away:

David was grateful for the victory God had given. He realized that all good things come from God. Being greedy was a sign that his followers credited themselves with the victory instead of God. David also realized that God could choose to give or take whatever he deemed best for those He loves.
David led his men to follow God instead of himself, and deflected all praise to the true Savior.

Read 1 Samuel 30:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+30&version=NIV

Hope Wirta