The Well

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE

When they reached Besor Brook and met the two hundred men who had been too tired to go with them, David greeted them joyfully. But some troublemakers among David's men said, "They didn't go with us, so they can't have any of the plunder. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone."
But David said, "No, my brothers! Don't be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the enemy. Do you think anyone would listen to you when you talk like this? We share and share alike ¾ those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment." From then on David made this a law for all of Israel, and it is still followed.
1 Samuel 30:21-25

David and his troops had been out doing battle and when they returned home the Amalekites had raided their homes and taken everything ¾ including their wives and children. So, David led his troops out to find them, after they took the time to grieve. However, 200 of those troops were too devastated and tired to make the journey on to recapture what the enemy had taken.

God led David to a man who had been abused by the Amalekite army and that man led them to the capture. Well, when they returned the men who fought didn't want the men who didn't fight to gain anything ¾ but their wives and children. King David, the ultimate Shepherd, chastised them and taught them the law of love.

Are we kind enough to share and share alike with those who cannot go to spiritual war and are caught in the throes of grief? I'm afraid that too often we are like David's men and have the mindset ¾ to each his own. A few people I know are really tired of rehashing the "9-11" stories of the survivors. Not me, I truly enjoy hearing the testimonies of how many lives were changed that day! Even so, among those strong survivors are those that remain wounded and worn. While on this subject ¾ in case you haven't seen the movie, Reign Over Me, with Adam Sandler, you might want to check it out…of course, in saying this, I'm giving away part of the movie, sorry!

There are people who have been so wounded in this battle called "life" that they literally need someone to let them simply sit and grieve as long as necessary for that individual. When we share our "loot" with them, it takes off some of the "edge" in their lives and the pain begins to ease a little. However, too often we scream at them with our silence to just "get over it"!

Yes, I believe there is a time to grieve and a time to heal, but who is the timekeeper about such matters? I certainly am not. I think I will join King David and keep the mindset "share and share alike," especially when it comes to His love!