King Saul hated David and pursued the young leader. Staying at Ziklag, David could not move
around freely because of Saul’s pursuit. Many people of the nation of Israel recognized that
David should be king. Of them, “mighty men” came to Ziklag to serve David and defend him
from Saul. Some came from Benjamin, Saul’s tribe. Other talented and powerful men came
from the tribe of Gad.
First Chronicles 12:16-18 tells of the men of Benjamin and Judah who came to the
stronghold of David. They came saying, “We are yours.” That personal surrender of their power
to David’s leadership involved…
A decided step. They came (v. 16). They had a willingness to take a stand or to share
the shame with David. They had to count the cost.
A conditional offer. David said to the volunteers, “If…then…” (v. 17). What he needed
was quality more than quantity. He mentioned two motives: help and betrayal. The new king
had to be sure which was theirs. This was “heart work.” Thus, “What is the condition of your
heart?”
A personal surrender. “We are yours,” said Amasai, chief of the thirty (v. 18). They were
yielding their lives for a cause, and the cause was just. Paul said, “You are slaves of the one
you obey” (Rom. 6:16). The men of Judah and Benjamin would obey David, not Saul.
A confession of faith. “Your God helps you” (v. 18). God was in the movement, and the
mighty men knew it. They wanted to be on God’s side. If God was on David’s side, then they,
too, would be on David’s side.
A successful issue. “Then David received them and made them officers of his troops” (v.
18). Favor and service go together.
Have the courage of these men to submit to God and serve Him.