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1 Samuel 17:24-32
You just want to see the battle (v.28).
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• Proverbs 16:2
• Jeremiah 17:10
• Hebrews 4:13
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How will you respond if your motives are misjudged? Why is it reassuring to know that God understands all of our motivations—even better than we understand ourselves?
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I once sent a hurting person an anonymous note that included the reference for this verse: “Why are you scheming against the Lord? He will destroy you with one blow; He won’t need to strike twice” (Nahum 1:9). Why send that verse, you ask? Well, I thought I was citing Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him.” I cringe every time I remember my slip-up. I wanted to encourage this individual, but reading that Scripture verse probably made her doubt my motives.
Mistaken motives were at the heart of a verbal scuffle between David and his oldest brother Eliab. David had been inquiring about the reward for fighting Goliath— showing his interest in facing the giant. But Eliab accused him of voyeurism, claiming, “You just want to see the battle” (v.28). David replied, “I was only asking a question!” (v.29), and then he skedaddled. He didn’t waste his time explaining himself to someone who was looking for a fight.
Like David, we can respond by simply stating the facts when our motives are questioned. We can also adopt his laid-back attitude as we allow our noble actions to speak for themselves. David didn’t let his brother’s doubt deter him from advertising his interest in fighting Goliath. “He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing” (v.30).
When Saul and David finally discussed David’s wartime wishes, I’ll bet David was happy he hadn’t used up his emotional energy arguing with Eliab. David knew that God alone “examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Samuel 16:7), and that was enough for him. We too can rest knowing that God sees our hearts, and He will never mistake our motives.
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Jennifer I shudder with you at the blunder you made! But then your highlighting the fact that God looks at the heart, He knew that your intention was to send a sincere, well meaning message.
David’s decision not to engage himself in a sibling squable was the beginning of God’s revelation of the leadership qualities He had entrusted David. Instead this was the day that God would reveal that David a man of valour!
Do we unnecessarily engage ourselves in unproductive arguments? Take David’s stance and concentrate on things that build and not those that waste time and resources. And pray to Him each day to guide you through to realise those goals.
Wow! I so relate to what you said, about what you did and how you felt. Thank you for pointing out that God knows our motives. I am a klutz with words at times (tactless), so I don’t always get my meaning across. My heart may be in the right place but my methods are not always the best. I am always second guessing what I say because I don’t want to hurt someone. Sometimes I end up not saying anything when I feel the Lord prompting and then I feel worse. Disobedience isn’t the answer, I just need to learn to speak and let the Lord deal with the outcome. Guilt is a heavy burden no matter if you meant well or disobeyed.
I also am defensive and argue my defense. Thank you for pointing out what David did, I hope I will remember this and not waste my energies arguing but trust the Lord to work it out.
Thanks again!
I love David’s response – give the facts and move on. The truth is that we are often unaware of our own motives (Jeremiah says it is so evil who can know it?) – so it is always a good idea to do what David did in Psalm 139 and ask God to search his hear to reveal any evil that might lie within
I feel that I am in the same position fieldlily!
I either do one of two things the first is say nothing and become passive and wish I would have said something or I will say something and regett because I feel that I have said too much and I feel that I’ve become aggressive. I am trying to learn how to be assertive. This posting was something that really spoke to me as I can truley relate to it. God Bless