In responding to the work of Jesus, we can look to the example of David’s men for our application. Specifically we can discern a call to trust God’s King with our lives, and a call to share his spoil with others.

 Firstly let us consider the matter of trusting God’s King with our lives. This was essentially the call to David’s men when he commanded them to follow him south. It was a risky business. With your home destroyed and your family lost, you must be fully convinced that God’s king will triumph over his enemies despite appearances to the contrary. It’s easy to have that confidence when things are going well. When there is success and prosperity – it is hard to do so, however, when life is a mess or when obedience is costly. But our King knows what is best and he remains in control no matter appearances. He is building his church. He is working all things for the good of those who love him. Because he resurrected from the grave, we can be confident that following him is worth it. There is no guarantee that life will go the way we want it to, but there is certainty about the future. The final enemy, death, has been defeated. We are on the way to the new creation. There is a blessed life that awaits all believers.

 Secondly, we can consider the encouragement to share the King’s plunder with others. Returning from the battle, some of David’s men thought the plunder was their reward alone, as if they had defeated the Amalekites by themselves, as if God’s grace is a reward for our works: We went to fight, we went to help, we took the risks, we deserve the glory. This line of thinking makes sense in the economy of the world, but it has no place in the church. And so when David hears the exclamations from his men, he is quick to put a stop to it. The spoil belongs to the LORD. He gave victory against impossible odds. There is equal reward, the spoil must be shared between those who stayed and those who went.

 Essentially, with regard to the true Christ, it is the work of Jesus that makes us righteous in God’s sight and that is most certainly a work to be shared. It must be proclaimed to all who would hear, and it must govern our life as a church. If you are a Christian, then you have benefited from God’s grace. Your sins have been forgiven. You have been given a righteousness that you do not deserve. Show grace therefore to fellow believers. Be long-suffering and patient. Give not only second chances, but also third, and fourth chances. In marriage and in friendship follow the ways of the kingdom, turn the other cheek.