Today I was reading about King David in 1 Chronicles chapters 11 and 12. This section covers the deeds of some of David’s warriors. For example , Jashobeam, was one of the mighty 3. He killed 300 Philistines in a battle, using his spear. Abishai also killed 300 of the enemy in battle with his spear. King David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet David, and his warriors were fierce killers in battle.
It seems we always think of God promoting peace on earth and good will toward others. Yet there are clearly times when God sent his people into battle with instructions to kill the enemy. For example, God instructed his people to kill the inhabitants in the promised land during the time of Joshua.
And there is the story of Saul, who disobeyed God by failing to kill every person in the city of Amalek. God said he was sorry he made Saul the king in the first place because he did not follow through on these instructions.
Ecclesiastes, chapter 3 says “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
We live in an imperfect world. But in all cases, follow God.
