“David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.” 1Samuel 22: 1-2
David in an attempt to save his life, run away from Saul. He became schizophrenic before Achish the king of Gath before setting his headquarter in the cave of Adullam. In that cave, his army grew up with people that where entirely dependent on him. Some of their characteristics are heart breaking: they are distressed, in debt and bitter in soul. I believe David had to set his eyes upon the Lord to see their potential and the opportunity to turn them into a mighty army.
How did David turn these men into mighty warriors?
Firstly, he was prepared. His training in the wilderness with the sheep and in the king’s army provided him with an excellent opportunity to hone his leadership skills. “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation” (Zig Ziglar.) There is really no luck in life as chances and time happen to us all. Nothing can take the place of preparation (Ecclesiastes 10:10). If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. Although the opportunity is given to you, should you fail to appropriately prepare for it, you may need to exercise more energy in order to meet the requirements. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” (Abraham Lincoln). All great men that have ever lived understood the power of preparation.
Secondly, he invested in them. Every opportunity God gives you with people who are low and desperate is a Kairos moment to invest in them and they will forever remain loyal. If you invest your life in the success of others, they will seldom forget you on their way up. Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” It is expedient to build leaders and not maintain followers. This process shapes and moulds the giver more than the receiver. This is a refining process where the giver polishes his skills and talents. That being said, you should beware of not wasting your time needlessly as time wasted can never be recovered.