The Spoils Are Divided
21 When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, “Because they did not go with [q]us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.” 23 Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. 24 And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.” 25 So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Behold, a [r]gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord: 27 to those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the [s]Negev, and to those who were in Jattir, 28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, 29 and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, 30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor-ashan, and to those who were in Athach, 31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”
I love how it introduces the rascals in David’s band as “all the wicked and worthless men”. Remember David’s men comprised of all the outcasts, possibly criminals and other folks. While some had likely been uplifted by David and been changed for the better, there were still some who retained their old wicked ways.
But David wasn’t about to be swayed by such men and their greedy selfish attitudes. His heart was generous, and overfilled by the blessings of God. So not only did he make a rule that the spoils would be shared with those who stayed behind, but he sent spoil to many of the cities in Judah.
True generosity (not the stuff done for show) is a good indicator of the heart. When you are selfish, it shows in your attitude, the way you treat others. But when you are generous, your heart is lifted up, and it lifts up the people around you, even if they don’t know about your gift (and they normally shouldn’t).
Be generous, let God use you as a conduit for His blessings. Don’t hoard the blessings, or you’ll be like a stream stopped up and stagnant.