6/8

2 Samuel 16:1-2

¹When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. ²The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the desert."

Remember Ziba? He was Saul's servant. David appointed him and his family to be servants of Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. It isn't clear if Mephibosheth was planning his own rebellion to restore Saul's throne in the chaos, or if Ziba was conniving to take back over the property of Saul, but the result was that David's young children and wives were provided animals to ride so that they could keep up. Ziba also provided food to nourish them all on the journey. What David could not prepare in the short notice and sudden flight, God provided from an unlikely source. We can know that when we are in the middle of calamity, God will still be faithful and can meet our needs.

All Israel was choosing sides out of their own personal interests. Will you side with the usurper or with the true King? The usurper promises position and power, but he cannot deliver. You will find true freedom with hardship if you follow the true King. Your service will be rewarded for he is just and genuinely appreciative.

Consider: Every day we are tempted to side with the enemy. He promises what he can never deliver. Follow the true King, even when it is difficult.