Now that Sheba has blown the trumpet of revolt against him, we are headed off to battle with King David. However, as we continue on in our study, we find that business at home must be taken care of first…
2 Samuel 20:3 (KJV)
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women
his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward,
and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the
day of their death, living in widowhood.
David's concubines were simply the women with whom his dead son, Absalom, intimately associated. Surely with an impending revolt on his hands these women couldn't be that important! Yet, in the midst of all this division and personal turmoil the king was experiencing, he still took the time to go to his house at Jerusalem. He thoughtfully tended to things at home before combating other issues. Often times when we are faced with conflicts, we tend to lose sight of persons in our own family; we forget they are still alive and have needs! Yet in the midst of his own problems David was considerate enough to treat these ten concubines kindly, making sure they were taken care of before going off to battle. Who knows how long he would be gone? Therefore, it would better help David to single-mindedly contend with his enemies knowing that all concerns related to his household were addressed. In caring for things at home, this man was actually preparing himself properly for battle. Ladies, the principle that we learn from the king here is that it is important that we take care of things at home FIRST before we set out to meet with any foes. Countless Christians are fighting battles on too many fronts. Many are trying to gain ground in other places but losing their homes in the process! Sadly, no amount of gain can ever make up for such tragic losses...
Luke 9:25a (KJV)
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world....
Proverbs 27:8 (KJV)
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from
his place.
Yes, home should come first. Be sure things are settled and in order at your house before you put your attentions and energies elsewhere! Even if you gained the whole world you would still be too poor to buy back your family. No need of those who dwell within your home should go unmet. Whenever you wander away from your nest, you expose your home to danger... How is your family doing of late, or haven't you checked in on them in a while? Been to busy expending your attentions and energies elsewhere? King David thought to provide for his concubines - are you thinking about your family’s necessities?? In the pursuit of accomplishing some big things or achieving your personal goals in life, is there a chance folks at your house might be facing a famine? Anybody in need of a spiritual feeding by way of family devotions or some prayer time with you? Could it be that your husband and/or children might be starving for your undivided attention?
Luke 15:8-9 (KJV)
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till
she find it? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and
her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the
piece which I had lost.
Ladies, you and I can be busy fighting for a good cause, but it becomes a bad one if it is at the expense of our family members being disregarded. It's possible to lose valuable things in your own home through carelessness… Turn on a light, sweep the house, and diligently consider whether or not any members of your home may have been misplaced in the dust of your self-absorbed desires. God’s assessment of people differs from ours and He deems this a worthwhile search! If you don't, your percentage of loss will grow due to your own negligence.
Luke 15:3-7 (KJV)
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an
hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine
in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying
unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that
repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance.
Just as King David needed to know that things at home were settled before he went off to war, so too your husband needs to experience that same peace of mind in order that he might properly serve the Lord and fight spiritual battles. What a help we as wives can be to our men! Are you fulfilling that role today, dear wife? Or does your husband have to come home and take care of the areas you neglect before he can even think about getting involved elsewhere?? Jails and penitentiaries and armies and navies are not our country's best defense. The door of the home is the very best fortress!! In your desire to wage war in other fields, don’t forget to fight for your own family - stand your ground at home! Being a faithful support to your husband and children is the greatest contribution you can make in the face of any conflict! Even in Christ's moment of personal crisis, the Shepherd's concern was not for himself, but for his own sheep...
John 18:9 (KJV)
That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou
gavest me have I lost none.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 1999 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
