BELIAL, The Wicked Ruler

Chapter 8 8 B ELIAL : U NTHOUGHTFUL AND I NCONSIDERATE

Then answered all the WICKED MEN AND MEN OF BELIAL, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. 1 Samuel 30:22 After David pursued the Amalekites from Ziklag and recovered the spoil, certain men of Belial manifested a selfish attitude toward the ones who could not continue in the battle because of weariness. David's attitude was to part the spoil equally among all the army. David considered all of those in his band. The men of Belial were selfish and only concerned about themselves. Belial causes men to be selfish and unconcerned about others. This was the same attitude manifested by Nabal. He was greedy and selfish and manifested an attitude that was worthless. The Knox translation calls them "churlish, graceless fellows." Webster defines graceless as "immoral, unregenerate, devoid of attractive qualities." On the other hand, to be gracious means to be considerate or thoughtful. Those influenced and controlled by Belial are inconsiderate and unthoughtful about the needs and condition of others. The apostle Paul mentioned men who were without natural affection, implacble, and unmerciful. The Weymouth translation says, "without affection, and without pity. " Moffat says, "calloused, merciless. " Goodspeed says, "unloving and unpitying." The Revised Standard says, "heartless and ruthless." C OLD L OVE

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