This chapter describes how God brought different groups of men to join David’s army. The first group was the men from Benjamin who came to Ziklag when David could not move about as Saul wanted to kill him. The second group was the men of Manasseh who came to him after he returned to Ziklag when the Philistines sent him home because they did not trust David to fight with them against Saul. A third group of armed troops came to make David to be the king in Hebron

Verses 1-18 – While David was hiding from Saul who wanted to kill him, God sent men from the tribe of Benjamin to join David’s army that He built for David. They were archers and sling-shooters who joined in Ziklag. There were also leaders and mighty men, kinsmen of Saul who defaulted to join David’s army. So, while David was hunted like an animal and immobilized by his fear, God built him an army.

Verses 19-40 – Then the men of Manasseh deserted to David’s side when he came with the Philistines to fight against Saul. In the end, David did not fight alongside the Philistines as some of the Philistines did not want him to fight with them. So, they sent him away and David returned to Ziklag where the men of Manasseh came to join David. God then delivered into David’s camp a great army as verse 22 tells us.

A group of armed troops came to David in Hebron “to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him according to the word of God.” God gave David an army but also the kingdom of Saul over to him. In verses 24-36 was the number of men from the different tribes from Judah, Simeon, Levi, Benjamin, Ephraim, the half-tribe of Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Dan, Asher, Reuben, Gad, and the other half-tribe of Manasseh. They had come to David in Hebron dressed for battle and united in heart to make David the king over all of Israel. Everyone in Israel was of a single mind to make David king They held a three-day celebration for what God had provided for them and made David the new king.

If we are faithful to follow and obey God, God will grant us favor with Him and man just as Jesus had favor with God and man. God showed His favor to David as He built him with an army he did not have. David also enjoyed man’s favor as the people pledged their commitment to him in verse 18 and delivered the kingdom of Saul to him in verse 23. They also made him king over all of Israel.

When God is on our side, we do not have to fear as we saw in David’s life as a fugitive running away from Saul. When the Philistine king had David join him to fight against Saul, God got him out by sending him home because some of the Philistines could not trust David.

God will grant us His favor when we are right with Him. So, do not fear or do not worry, He is the One who will protect and deliver us from our plights!

Prayer: O Lord, I will not fear or try to manipulate my way out of a situation by my human wisdom. Instead, I will trust You as You will give us a way out even when we feel “trapped” in the situation we put ourselves in. We know You would favor us and deliver us. So, help me Lord in my fear and unbelief!