In the first of Chronicles, chapter 12, there is a delightful record of the men who proved faithful to David in the days when Saul held the kingdom, and when Israel at large did not recognize the purposes of God respecting David’s kingship. We may speak of the chapter as containing the service of the king before the day of his glory and kingdom, and, therefore, as describing a service enacted chiefly out of love or regard for David personally. As such, it is a cheering unfolding of the faithful service of those, in this our day, who, when the King is disowned by the human race, and the god of the world rules the kingdom, out of love and reverence to the person of Jesus, the Lord, give Him their hands and hearts, their service and their love.
It was necessary, in order to side with David, to go to him in the wilderness, where he was in hiding outside the then glories of Israel. So now, such as would be true to Jesus, must follow Him outside the course of this world, and this every faithful servant of Christ well knows. It was impossible to harmonize the position of Saul and David; there was but one throne, and there could be but one king. We cannot be loyal to the world and to Christ; whom shall we serve?
The second verse of the chapter describes the men, whom we may can the handy; the eighth, the brave; and the sixteenth and eighteenth, the loyal. From the twenty-second the story leads us to the end, even the coming of the kingdom of the king.
Handy men indeed were those of Benjamin. They could use the left as efficaciously as the right hand, and were ready for any kind of business in war. The description, “a left-handed man,” generally signifies one whose right hand is no more useful than that of an ordinary person’s left hand, “All his fingers are thumbs,” the proverb runs of the clumsy person. Such persons are not uncommon in the Church, but we would consider them rather as left-handed by profession than by ability, A worker who will not do anything save that special thing which satisfies his idea of dignity, or propriety; or he, who will not engage in service because it is too humble for him, is characteristically a left-handed man. He belongs to a sort of spiritual guild, which forces him into a groove and forbids the exercise of his varied abilities. Jack of all trades and master in none shall never be said of the earnest servant of Jesus Christ, for such an one is ready and willing at all times to do anything and to be nothing for the Master’s sake. His idea of dignity is the Master’s glory, and of service, the need that requires satisfying.
The “highly spiritual “person, or the spiritual person who is high-minded, who is not willing to run an errand or to tidy up a room for a sick person, is, we should suggest, one of the unhandy sort. He who can only sit down and listen, or look on at the service of others, we should also regard as unhandy.
These gifted men of David were terrible in battle. They were practically double right-handed men― “they could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow.” Anyone who knows anything of fighting is aware how useful it is to have two right hands, as it were. These men were of Saul’s brethren out of Benjamin, so they had come clean out of the old service, and were heart and soul and both hands in the new!
Let the young Christian especially cultivate spiritual handiness. Be ready to do anything for Christ. Never be on your dignity. Lend a hand to everyone, and with alacrity and a smile. A few of such servants of the King (though He wear not yet His crown of this world’s kingdom) would make the work of the Lord move more vigorously in many quarters.
Brave indeed were the Gadites; they were “men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.” This most inspiriting description is of itself a call to courage. Well trained, powerful men they were, like lions in strength and determination, like roes in energy and speed!
It is astonishing what one brave man or woman can accomplish for Christ, and equally astonishing what true Christian courage will affect in making others brave. We are inclined to think that not unfrequently our supposed modesty is really timidity. A timid man of marked faith is an impossibility. In proportion to our faith in God’s power and might is our practical strength for God on earth. “Strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:2020He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (Romans 4:20)); “Be strong and of a good courage” (Josh. 1:99Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)); “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” (Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10).) Often indeed are we timid, but not when our faith is in activity.
Faith lays hold of God. “I learned on that day,” said a young preacher of Christ the other day, “the meaning of God being almighty.” He had been preaching in Ireland, and, when outside the town, together with another worker, the unhappy people lined the hedges and pelted these two defenseless men with stones. But though the missiles were flying about their heads, not one stone struck them. The almighty hand of God sheltered His servants. Such lion-like men are in request: men swift to run on God’s service are required. The work of a very few (four in all) of these noble men has told remarkably in many parts of Ireland, for numbers of Bibles have been bought and are being read by the peasantry, where a few months previously only darkness reigned. Thank God there are such in many places-workers for Christ who fear neither disease or death, nor the opposition of heathen at home or abroad.
These men of Gad used their weapons, whether of defense or offense, for David―for no one less. He was their cause―for him they fought―for him they “put to flight” the enemy.
In our days there is a trumpet call for brave men to stand up for Jesus―men whose faces are like the faces of lions, and who are as swift as the roes upon the mountains.
Loyal were these of Benjamin and Judah, who “came to the hold unto David.” “Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse,” said they, “Peace, peace, be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee” (ver. 18).
Here were consecrated men indeed―consecrated to the person of the uncrowned king―to the king whose kingdom had not come. They were true to David and to David’s own. Loyal men and women for Christ are sorely needed, whose hearts exclaim, “Peace be unto thee; peace be to thine helpers.” Better the soldiers’ fare with David in the hold, than the rewards of Saul’s palace.
As the deeds of the true men are recorded, the dawn of the kingdom begins to appear; “At that time day by day, there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God (vs. 22). Zeal stimulates zeal; courage stimulates courage; and true loyalty infects others.
This new year let us be out and out for Christ, and we shall see one and another coming over to His side, and the number shall increase “day by day,” until a company “like the host of God” shall stand up for Him whose glory and whose kingdom are at hand.