May
6
1
Chronicles 17-20
"David
reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his
people." (1
Chronicles 18:14, NIV) David was a great king and leader primarily because of
his relationship with God. God blessed him and promised to maintain his lineage
as king over Israel. But David’s relationship with God gave him the compassion
for the people of Israel he needed to be a great king. He was not focused on
his own glory, but did what was right for the nation. “God gave David victory everywhere
he went.” (18:6)
David sent some men to express
his sympathy at the death of the king of the Ammonites. King Nahash had shown
kindness to David and David wanted to return the gesture. But the king’s son
received bad advice telling him that David was really spying out the land. The
new king humiliated David’s men. When David heard what had happened, he
instructed his men to stay at Jericho until their beards grew back, so they
would not bring shame upon themselves when they got home. David then sent his
army and destroyed the Ammonites.
David protected the integrity of
his men. Too often people look out for their own interest and forget about
those around them. Too often we worry about our own image and forget about the
integrity of those who work with us and work with us. How would those around
you see God if you protected their reputation and the reputation of others
whenever rumors and gossip reached your ears? What would happen if we spent our
time lifting people up instead of joining in tearing them down? What would
happen if we began to look for the good in those around us instead of the bad?
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