(21) В¶ And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. (22) Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. (23) Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. (24) For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. (25) And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
I would have the Reader remark with me on this passage, that David's army, though but small, yet had wicked men in the party. It was so from the beginning, and will be so during the continuance of the world. Noah had an H am in the ark, and the Lord Jesus a Judas among his disciples. The Lord hath shown us that there will be tares among the wheat, and both must grow together until the harvest. Lord, keep thy church, and watch over it continually. Lord keep my heart, and suffer not corruptions to break out. The equity of David's conduct in the division of the spoil, and the ordinance framed upon this principle, may serve to teach us, that in the church of Jesus, as all the gifts and usefulness of his people are from the Lord; all are equally the objects of his love, and come in for a suitable proportion of his favour, the Holy Ghost giveth to every man severally as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:11.