2 Samuel 17: Help in Time of Need

²⁷ When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim ²⁸ brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, ²⁹ honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.” -2 Samuel 17:27-29

A king in need of food? It sounds ridiculous, yet David and those who fled with him were tired, hungry, and thirsty. Worse, they were without resources, leaving them vulnerable and in need.

Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai are probably three men you did not read about if you grew up in church, but served as the heroes in this story. They joined together to bring food and drink for David and his people. No one required this act of compassion; no reward had been promised. They simply saw a need and acted.

A couple of observations as I reflect on these words. First, they acted because there was a need. They did not wait for a committee, government program, or television plea. They simply acted.

Second, they served others together. Three men, not one, met this need. Alone they could have each helped to some extent. Only together could they fully meet the need of this many people in need of food on short notice.

Today, let’s do the same. When we see a need, don’t wait. Act. And when we act, let’s not attempt to do everything ourselves. Join with someone else who is helping those in need and serve together. Help in time of need.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.