1 Samuel 21:8
And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.
Earlier in David's life as a fugitive, Jonathan had given him his own sword and bow with his garments.
Later, standing weaponless before Ahimelech, David asked whether there was a spear or sword at hand, explaining that he had brought neither his sword nor his other weapons because the king's business required haste.
That plea of a hurried royal mission was deceptive and showed lack of faith in God, and that sin led to the death of the high priest.
Ahimelech gave him the sword of Goliath, the weapon with which David had defeated the Philistine champion, and holding it revived David's courage.
The statement that the king's business requires haste teaches that God's work is important and demands urgent, prompt action without delay.
The same urgency is expressed in traveling quickly and giving up rest and sleep to spread the truth.
Because Jesus is coming and leaves no time for delay, God's servants must work with energy and zeal to save souls.
The Lord's work should be carried out promptly, though practical limitations can prevent acting with haste.
Urgency does not justify a decision made without careful thought, counsel and agreement with those who will share responsibility, so urgent work must be balanced by waiting and acting wisely rather than moving in an ill-considered way.
Because Jesus is coming and souls must be rescued without delay, people's gifts should be used where they can help more.
The King is God and His business is the great work of carrying light as a burning lamp into new territories on missionary soil.
Because the end of all things is at hand there is no time to delay and no rest while means are lacking, so every effort and every means must be used to advance the work and to arouse the people to arise and shine.