1 Chronicles 12

“Other Benjamites and men from Judah also went to David at the stronghold.  David went out to meet them and said to them, ‘If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you, but if you have come to betray me to my enemies even though my hands have done no wrong, may the God of our ancestors look on it and judge.’  Then the Spirit took control of Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: ‘We are yours, David, we are with you, son of Jesse!  Peace, peace to you, and peace to him who helps you, for your God helps you.  So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.” 1 Chronicles 12:16-18 (HCSB)

David was in a sticky situation.  He was running for his life, hiding in a cave (aka the stronghold), and he had no idea whom he could trust.  Then, people started showing up, ringing the doorbell, and asking if they could see David, the fugitive!  Think about it for a moment.  How secure was David’s stronghold if 400 strangers could find it?  For that matter, how stupid was Saul that he and his army could not find it?  Only the Lord can supply the friends you need while keeping your enemies at bay.   But I digress… The narrative (of the same instance in today’s passage) in 1 Samuel 22 helps us understand what a complicated situation David was dealing with.

“David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam.  So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him.  So he became captain over them.  And there were about four hundred men with him.  Then David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.’ So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.” 1 Samuel 22:1-4 (NKJV)

When we combine the two instances (1 Chronicles 6 and 1 Samuel 22), we see that 400 men showed up, and David chose 30 to be captains over them.  Of what did David’s interview process consist?  One question with a caveat: “Do you come in peace, to help me?  If so, I will be united with you; if not, the Lord will be against you.” (Isaiah 48:22; Ezekiel 13:9-11)

I like how the Bible notes the response of Amasai came when, “the Spirit took control” of him.  The original language translates as “the Spirit clothed Himself with Amasai  .”Once Amasai had determined in his heart to follow David and fully immerse himself in that subordinate role, the Spirit-filled him as he uttered the words of allegiance.  Likewise, when we faithfully choose in our hearts to repent and follow the “Son of David,” Jesus (Matt 1:1), we receive the Holy Spirit, Who dwells inside us.

“Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (HCSB)