I Chronicles 12: Enemies To Friends

One of the characteristics of David that may have earned him that compliment of being a man after God's own heart was his ability to turn enemies into friends.

I Chronicles 12 describes the great number of warriors who "went over" to David's side in his conflict with Saul.  Verse 2 states that many of them were "kinsmen of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin."  In a world where so much was dictated by tribal loyalties, it's amazing to find that Saul's own tribe was ready to desert him to side with his arch-rival David instead.

What may be even more amazing is how David accepted them and welcomed them in, giving them equal standing with the rest of his supporters.  It is apparent that he was at first a little uneasy, concerned that they might be setting him up for a betrayal.  When they first present themselves, David says, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you" (vs. 17).

Taking David up on his offer, their chief, Amasai, is filled with the Spirit of the Lord and proclaims, "We are yours, O David!  We are with you, O son of Jesse!  Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you."  So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands" (vs. 18).

This goes to show that, like God, David was willing to accept former enemies as new friends.  The ability to forgive a person's previous loyalties and see past their mistakes is a valuable trait for a king - and, really, for any Christian.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come" (II Corinthians 5:17).