1 Samuel 30:13-15
Verse 15b He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”
David needs to know that they are on the right trail so after getting some food and water into the Egyptian they had found, David asks the all-important questions, “Who are you?” and “Where do you come from?” God’s faithfulness is once again proven, He has provided a source of information to confirm they were on the right trail.
This abandoned slave hadn’t had the hope of making it through this illness when there was no guarantee that he would be found. He had no one to care for him or about him, he was simply someone’s cast off property. Left as no more than trash by one man, this man’s life takes on new value when he is discovered by David’s men. It may have been concerning to him at first as he didn’t know their motive in helping him but anything was better than dying alone.
This man may not have known who David and his men were but there would have been signs as he regaled them with the activities he had been a part of prior to getting sick. Imagine how his heart would have sunk when he saw their reaction to the news that he was part of the raiding group that had burned Ziklag. That look on their faces and the exchanged angry glances may have had him wondering if he would be killed now that they knew his role in the capture of their wives and children.
That is when the big question was asked of him, “Will you lead us to those raiders?” This put him in a tight spot. If they planned on taking him along he would likely die, one or both of the sides would be aiming for him. If he didn’t take these people to the other men, they would make life horrible for him or possibly kill him. Even if he did take him and he didn’t get killed, if his master would capture him, he would have been held accountable for leading these 400 men to his master and his raiding party. Yes, it sounded like he was in a bad place no matter which scenario played out.
With those concerns in his mind the Egyptian knows he must make try making a deal that will ensure his future safety. He presents his plea and his conditions with sincere hope and desperation that they be agreed to. He knew his life depended on it.
Making It Personal
When have you felt hopeless in life? How did God work out good for you in that situation? Does knowing God’s faithfulness in the past, give you hope for the future no matter what may come?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever had a time when you felt like everything was going badly? How did Jesus help you make it through? Does knowing Jesus helps in those hard times make you feel safe about the future?
Closing Prayer
Father, we praise You for Your faithfulness. You are always near and ready to help us no matter how bad things seem. Please give us hearts that seek You and rest in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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