Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains. Ezer was their chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth and Makbannai the eleventh. These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand.
1 Chronicles 12:8-14
11 men. Trained. Battle tested. The least was a match for a hundred. The greatest for a thousand. Prepared to defect. A gift.
Background
Two chapters before (1 Chronicles 10), Saul had died. It was now time.
David had spent years waiting. He had been chosen. Samuel had made that crystal clear in front his father. And his more “qualified” brothers. But the Lord’s selection process was different. God looked at the heart. Not the earthly qualifications where his brother’s dominated.
These weren’t easy years. No, David was often on the run. Fighting. Engaging giants. Running. Tired. Thirsty. Hiding in caves. And prayerfully waiting. Being patient for God’s time.
It must have been so difficult. He had many chances to accelerate the timeline. It was taking so long. Saul was an easy target in the cave. Probably an easier target when his men had broken into Saul’s camp at night. Most would have understood if David had capitalized. Pushing it. Being aggressive. That was a cultural value.
But a man after God’s own heart doesn’t force it. He is patient.
And God honor’s patience. Often with a gift. In this case with 11 Gadites.
Reflections
Few bible characters have intrigued me more than David. David was given a label unlike any. A man after God’s own heart. What are some of the qualities of such a man? Fearless. Worshiper. Bias towards action. Bias towards patience? Yup.
We live in a culture that values movement. Creating opportunities. Pushing through challenges. Running over obstacles. Making it happen. I listen to many Christian podcasts. The secular bias has vaccinated the church. Few contemporary church leaders advocate for patience. Certainly not as a church growth plan. Nope.
My brother and sister in law have been involved in a Ugandan adoption process for 4 years. They have traveled to Uganda 6 or 7 times. And they continue to wait. And pray. And fight to be patient.
God is often in the waiting. Prayerful patience yields a harvest.
Lord, you know that I struggle here. It is so much easier for me to subscribe to a theology that forces the action. Has an exclusive bias towards action. But ignores the importance of patience. I’m afraid that my western consumer-focused appetites enable the same. Help me to prayerfully find the balance. Push when I need to push. Wait when I need to wait. Help me to steadfastly seek your counsel for timing. Not my own. And to recognize that waiting can afford great rewards. Just like action. Finally, reward Tim and Hillary for their prayerful patience in waiting for Jenny and Francis. You are more than able. Amen.
What if we prayerfully followed David’s example and added patience as an important value? What incremental gifts might be in store for that deep yearning? Might it be something on the level of 11 Gadites?
What if... 