Joel M Bradshaw

16And some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. 17David went out to meet them and said to them, “If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, although there is no wrong in my hands, then may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”–1 Chronicles 12

1. David was consolidating his kingdom.
2. Various groups were coming to present themselves to David.
3. The tension was that if any were still loyal to the previous King Saul, there would be problems.
4. Saul had just spent a great deal of time trying to kill David to prevent him from becoming king.
5. David proclaimed to the men a simple choice.
6. If they were with him, then he would be with them. If not, he wasn’t going to kill them, but God would handle them.
7. There are always good standards to keep, but they don’t always need to be conflicts or fights. At some point, trust that God handles his business and delivers you. Pray with that mindset during the stresses of your day.–JMB