READING FOR APRIL 10, 2025: 1 SAMUEL 30, 1 CORINTHIANS 5, PSALM 30:1-5 1 SAMUEL 30 David and his men were sent home by the Philistines. Home for them was Ziklag, which was the city the Philistine king gave David and his men: “So Achish gave him [David] Ziklag that day; therefore, Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day” (1 Sam. 27:6). As they ap- proached the city, they saw it had been burned, and their entire families carried away by the Amalekites. This included David’s two wives. This first caused tremendous grief, which quickly turned into a common desire to kill David. For those interested in wielding power, know that leaders are usually blamed for disasters such as this. It was in this time of crises that David began again to make wise choices. The text said, “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (vs 6). Does it seem that everything and everyone is against you? Our first step can always be strengthening ourselves in the LORD no matter the situation.
Although David was now relying totally on God again, it did not mean he was inactive. He asked the priest for the ephod, which represented seeking God’s direction. In response to David’s inquiry, God told David to pursue the Amalekites and promised the recovery of everyone and everything. When we receive direction from God in the Bible, especially direction that is tied to a promise, what is our best course of action? It seems obvious that we should simply follow that direction immediately as did David. Yet so often we don’t like the direction given by our omniscient God. Think about it. Does this make any sense?
As David pursued the Amalekites, one third of his men were too exhausted to keep going. They were left behind on one side of a creek, staying with some of the baggage. Then they encount- ered a lone Egyptian, to whom David showed kindness by offering some much-appreciated food and drink. Upon questioning, they learned that he had been attached to the Amalekites until they abandoned him when he became ill. The man agreed to lead David’s men to the Amalekites in return for safe haven. Obviously, God had orchestrated these events according to his sovereignty, but David’s wise kindness was also key. Cooperation between God and man is a timeless biblical principle: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).
When David caught up to the Amalekites, the enemy was not battle ready but was enjoying their plunder. As God promised, David’s men scored a victory and recovered all that was tak- en, including David’s two wives. Much to the dismay of those who fought in the battle, David also returned all that was taken from the men who stayed by the baggage. Here David empha- sizes the importance of those who support those on the front line. David also shared some of plunder with over 13 Israelite cities, helping to patch up his tattered relationship with them.
READINGS FOR APRIL 10, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 5, PSALM 30:1-5 1 CORINTHIANS 5 Paul has harsh words for the church in Corinth. They are allowing two people in the church to display what Paul believes is an immoral situation. A man has taken up a sexual relationship with his father’s wife. This practice is specifically forbidden in Leviticus 18:8. In addition, Paul implies that the Corinthian Church has not only accepted the relation- ship but has celebrated it. Paul demands that the couple be put out of the church. Paul uses the image of how a small amount of yeast mixed in the bread dough allows the bread to rise. This image of yeast is used several times in the Bible. Sometimes the image is used positively. In Luke 13, Jesus uses it to explain how the kingdom of God can grow into something powerful. Most often, the image is negative. Here in Corinthians, Paul uses to emphasize that if the church allows sin to be accepted in any amount, it will grow and fester in the community until it overtakes the entire culture. Paul tells the church to not let the yeast of sin take hold and infect the entire church.
Paul then warns the Corinthians to avoid those brothers and sisters who indulge in sins: “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” (1Cor. 5:11). One of the important things to emphasize in this direction from Paul is strictly about those who claim to be Christians and yet refuse to admit that they are engaging in sinful behaviors. Those who refuse to accept that their choice, their behaviors are in viola- tion of God’s teachings. Or worse, those who know that their behaviors are sinful and put on the airs of religion. Notice that this instruction is not about non-Christians. If anything, Paul is telling Christians that we should engage with non-believers who may be living sin-filled lives. How can we judge someone by the teachings and laws of God if they do not understand those laws? Are there people who would be pushed away from Christ because we judged their behaviors by laws and rules that they did not know?
PSALM 30:1-5 This psalm is a song of praise attributed to King David. It gives thanks to God for saving him. It is possible that David had been healed from some type of serious illness. In this psalm it is not the hands of the enemy that brought on David’s issue. God gives grace to David so that his enemies can not boast about his illnesses. The psalm begins with a commitment by the writer to praise God. David promises to “lift up” or exalt” the name of God (Yahweh). This is the heart of praise, where we lift up God for who he is. The reason for the writer’s praise is because God brought David out of the depths. The reason that David thought he was near the point of death is unclear. But the imagery that is used underscores the fact that he believed that death was nearby. Verses 4-5 are often quoted by persons who have endured suffering: “Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:4-5). The concept here is that suffering will happen, however it does not last for eternity. There will be dark times (times of trouble) where we will be sad, grieved, and mourning. But the morning is coming, and joy will come with it.
