1 Samuel 30:8-13: a reflection

As David and his men pursue the raiders who had taken their families, they come upon a stranger in the field, an Egyptian, a slave who had been abandoned by his master to die when he fell sick. Rather than passing him by or exploiting him, David's men show him kindness: they give him bread and water, figs and raisins, and revive him, for he had eaten nothing for three days. Note the contrast: the man's own master had abandoned him callously when he became a burden, but these strangers show him kindness in his need. And this kindness to a needy stranger proved instrumental, for the man then helped David find the raiders. There is a lesson in this kindness to a stranger in need: David's men did not pass by or exploit the abandoned man, but cared for him. To show kindness to the needy and abandoned stranger, rather than passing by or exploiting them, is good and right. David's men showed kindness to an abandoned stranger in need. To care for the needy stranger, rather than passing by, is a good thing. Kindness to the abandoned and needy is right. The stranger in need was shown kindness, not callousness.

Notice the kindness shown, and the contrast with the master's callousness. The Egyptian was a slave, abandoned by his master to die when he became sick and useless; his own master had treated him with callous disregard, casting him aside when he was no longer of use. But David's men, coming upon this needy, abandoned stranger, showed him kindness, feeding and reviving him. The contrast is telling: callousness that abandons the vulnerable when they become a burden, and kindness that cares for the needy stranger. David's men chose kindness. To show kindness to those in need, especially the abandoned and vulnerable, rather than passing them by or using them, is good and right. We can be like the callous master, disregarding those who become a burden, or like David's men, showing kindness to the needy stranger. And, as it happened, this kindness bore fruit, for the man helped David; but the kindness was right regardless of its return. To care for the needy and abandoned stranger is a good thing, reflecting a heart of compassion rather than callousness. Kindness to the vulnerable stranger is right. To care for the abandoned in their need reflects compassion. The needy stranger deserves kindness, not disregard.

That is worth taking to heart, for it is good and right to show kindness to the needy and abandoned stranger, rather than passing by or exploiting them. We can be callous toward those in need, especially the abandoned and vulnerable, passing them by or disregarding them when they seem to offer us nothing, like the master who abandoned his sick slave; but David's men showed kindness to the needy Egyptian stranger, feeding and reviving him. To care for the needy and abandoned, rather than passing by or exploiting them, is good and right. Do not pass by or disregard the needy and abandoned stranger; show them kindness, as David's men cared for the abandoned Egyptian. Show kindness to the needy and abandoned stranger rather than passing by or exploiting them, as David's men, coming upon an Egyptian slave whom his own master had callously abandoned to die when he fell sick, fed and revived him; for it is good and right to care for those in need, especially the abandoned and vulnerable who seem to offer us nothing, rather than disregarding them as the callous master did, and to show kindness to the needy stranger reflects a heart of compassion rather than callousness, so that we do well to care for the abandoned in their need rather than passing them by, whether or not such kindness brings any return.