Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (New Living Translation)

1 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. 2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

This is part of the (hi)story of David’s struggle with King Saul. In human terms, it was a civil war or a rebellion. Here David is at a large cave. First, David’s was joined by his relatives. Later, others came until there were 400 men present. Who were these men?

They weren’t described as patriots. They weren’t described as righteous. They weren’t described as anything worthwhile. They were just discontented. They were in trouble. They were in debt.

What an army! What a bunch of losers. Yet, these are the men God sent to David to “help” him. Please God, stop helping David. I mean, David is supposed to win, right? Send David something better than a bunch of troublesome, indebted, and discontented losers.

Well, God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. No kidding? God sure does. Hey God, help me, but how about a more straightforward approach than sending me a bunch of troublesome, indebted, and discontented losers. Huh? I mean, I know what I’m doing here and what I need and surely you’ll provide those things for me, huh? No? You provide me with what? How is that supposed to work?

Well, God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Thank you God.