I Samuel 30:22-24

I Samuel 30:22-24 Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, … Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand, but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. When David and his 600 men went after the Amalekites, there were 200 men who just couldn’t go on. They just had to stop and rest. So the other 400 warriors left their extra stuff with them and took off after the enemy. But when the 400 won the battle and came back, they didn’t want to share with those who had stayed behind and guarded the stuff. But David wouldn’t hear of it! David demanded that each man of the 600 should share in all of the spoils that had been taken from the Amalekites. A good lesson for us. Who is more important: the astronaut in space, or the engineer at the desk watching the computer? That’s right - both are important. Who is more important: the police in the squad car racing to the crime scene or the dispatcher who gets the officer there quickly and accurately? That’s right - both are important. We all have a job to do. No job is unimportant. All jobs are necessary. Do your job as best you can.

I Samuel 30:6-8

I Samuel 30:6-8 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. David and his 600 men were out fighting the Philistines when the Amalekites snuck in behind them and captured their women folk and their children. So when the soldiers came back home and all their families were gone, they were overcome with grief! They were ready to kill their leader, David. But David encouraged himself with the Lord! David devised a plan and pursued it. Soon, everyone was back with their family. David asked Abiathar, the priest, “Shall I go after the Amalekites? Can I safely re-capture our families?” And God answered, “Go after them. You will win because I will be with you!” And He was! Isn’t it great to know that God is with you?

I Samuel 28:5-7

I Samuel 28:5-7 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her… Saul was used to asking advice from the prophet Samuel. But Samuel was dead. And Saul didn’t know what to do. He was at a loss, because he wasn’t used to asking god himself. And when he did, God didn’t answer because Saul had sin in his life. And God won’t hear us when we have sin in our lives! Saul tried dreams. Nothing. Saul tried special spiritual devices. Nothing. Saul even tried other prophets. Nothing at all from God. So Saul tried witchcraft. And that was a bad idea. Contact God through a witch?! That is craziness! But Saul tried it. Hey, how about you? When you have a spiritual problem, do you ask you parents? Do you ask your Granddaddy? Do you ask your preacher? These are not bad ideas, but these are not the best idea. You should ask God yourself. Don’t depend upon others - ask God yourself! Saul didn’t, but you can. When you need an answer, ask God.