I Samuel 30: Recovering All
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.
And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
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.
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord;
To them which were in Beth–el, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,
And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,
And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chor–ashan, and to them which were in Athach,
And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
I Samuel 30 tells a powerful story of loss, resilience, and divine restoration, showcasing David's leadership and unwavering faith in God amidst crisis. This chapter offers profound insights into overcoming adversity and the importance of trusting God in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
Devastation at Ziklag (30:1-5)
Returning to Ziklag, David and his men were met with a scene of utter devastation. The Amalekites, fierce nomadic raiders, had seized the opportunity of their absence, burning the city and taking all the women and children captive. The shock and grief were palpable, with David's men weeping uncontrollably until they were physically and emotionally drained (I Samuel 30:4). It's a scene that resonates deeply – a reminder of the vulnerability we all share and the pain of seeing loved ones threatened. Imagine the anguish of these warriors, returning home only to find their families gone and their lives shattered.
David's Strength in the Lord (30:6)
The men's grief soon turned to anger, and they spoke of stoning David, blaming him for leaving Ziklag defenseless. Perhaps they felt abandoned and betrayed. In this moment of intense pressure, David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (I Samuel 30:6). This is a key turning point. David, surrounded by despair and facing mutiny, didn't succumb to panic. He remembered God's past faithfulness. He recalled God's deliverance from the lion and the bear (I Samuel 17:37), and from Saul's relentless pursuit.
This raises a crucial question for us: Where do we turn when life's troubles hit? Do we crumble under the weight of our problems, or do we, like David, seek strength in the Lord? David's example is a powerful reminder that our true strength and protection come from the heavenly realm, not from earthly circumstances.
Seeking Divine Guidance (30:7-10)
David then sought divine guidance through Abiathar the priest, asking God if he should pursue the Amalekites and whether he would succeed. The Lord's answer was affirmative and encouraging: "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all" (I Samuel 30:8). This divine assurance fueled David's resolve.
As they set out, 200 of David's 600 men were too exhausted to continue. David made a decisive leadership choice, allowing them to stay behind and guard the supplies (I Samuel 30:9-10). This decision, seemingly practical, would later become the basis for a significant principle regarding the distribution of spoils.
The Providential Encounter (30:11-20)
God providentially placed an Egyptian slave in David's path. The slave, abandoned by his Amalekite master because he was ill, provided crucial information about the Amalekite raiders and agreed to lead David to their camp (I Samuel 30:11-15). This encounter highlights God's hand at work, orchestrating events to favor those who trust in Him.
David and his men arrived at the Amalekite camp to find them relaxed and vulnerable, feasting and celebrating their victory (I Samuel 30:16). They launched a surprise attack, completely routing the Amalekites and recovering everything that had been taken, "both small and great, sons and daughters, spoil, and everything that they had taken from them. David recovered all" (I Samuel 30:18-19). The joy of the victorious troops was overflowing, they exclaimed, "This is David’s plunder!" (I Samuel 30:20).
The Principle of Equal Sharing (30:21-25)
Upon returning, a dispute arose regarding the distribution of the recovered spoils. Some of the men who had accompanied David argued that the 200 who stayed behind should not share in the plunder (I Samuel 30:22). However, David, recognizing the Lord's protection and the shared effort of the entire company, established a principle of equal sharing, declaring that "as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike" (I Samuel 30:24). This became a statute and ordinance for Israel, emphasizing fairness, unity, and valuing the contribution of all members of the community. David understood that true victory wasn't just about military success but about honoring God's principles of justice and compassion.
David's Diplomatic Generosity (30:26-31)
David further solidified his position and strengthened his ties with his own tribe, Judah, by sending gifts from the plunder to the elders in various cities, including Hebron (I Samuel 30:26-31). The Amalekites had looted "the territory of Judah" (I Samuel 30:14), and David's generous act restored what they had lost and reaffirmed his loyalty to his people. Hebron is particularly significant, as it would later become the place where David was anointed king of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1-4).
David’s wise actions in I Samuel 30 demonstrate not only military prowess but also astute political acumen and a deep understanding of human nature. By sharing the spoils and reaffirming his loyalty to his people, David laid the groundwork for his future reign and solidified his leadership among the tribes of Israel.
I Samuel 30 offers a timeless message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is with us, providing strength, guidance, and ultimately, restoration. David's story encourages us to seek God's face in times of trouble, to trust in His promises, and to act with fairness and compassion towards others. It is a testament to the power of faith and the faithfulness of God.
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.
We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.
And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
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.
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord;
To them which were in Beth–el, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,
And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,
And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chor–ashan, and to them which were in Athach,
And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
I Samuel 30 tells a powerful story of loss, resilience, and divine restoration, showcasing David's leadership and unwavering faith in God amidst crisis. This chapter offers profound insights into overcoming adversity and the importance of trusting God in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
Devastation at Ziklag (30:1-5)
Returning to Ziklag, David and his men were met with a scene of utter devastation. The Amalekites, fierce nomadic raiders, had seized the opportunity of their absence, burning the city and taking all the women and children captive. The shock and grief were palpable, with David's men weeping uncontrollably until they were physically and emotionally drained (I Samuel 30:4). It's a scene that resonates deeply – a reminder of the vulnerability we all share and the pain of seeing loved ones threatened. Imagine the anguish of these warriors, returning home only to find their families gone and their lives shattered.
David's Strength in the Lord (30:6)
The men's grief soon turned to anger, and they spoke of stoning David, blaming him for leaving Ziklag defenseless. Perhaps they felt abandoned and betrayed. In this moment of intense pressure, David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (I Samuel 30:6). This is a key turning point. David, surrounded by despair and facing mutiny, didn't succumb to panic. He remembered God's past faithfulness. He recalled God's deliverance from the lion and the bear (I Samuel 17:37), and from Saul's relentless pursuit.
This raises a crucial question for us: Where do we turn when life's troubles hit? Do we crumble under the weight of our problems, or do we, like David, seek strength in the Lord? David's example is a powerful reminder that our true strength and protection come from the heavenly realm, not from earthly circumstances.
Seeking Divine Guidance (30:7-10)
David then sought divine guidance through Abiathar the priest, asking God if he should pursue the Amalekites and whether he would succeed. The Lord's answer was affirmative and encouraging: "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all" (I Samuel 30:8). This divine assurance fueled David's resolve.
As they set out, 200 of David's 600 men were too exhausted to continue. David made a decisive leadership choice, allowing them to stay behind and guard the supplies (I Samuel 30:9-10). This decision, seemingly practical, would later become the basis for a significant principle regarding the distribution of spoils.
The Providential Encounter (30:11-20)
God providentially placed an Egyptian slave in David's path. The slave, abandoned by his Amalekite master because he was ill, provided crucial information about the Amalekite raiders and agreed to lead David to their camp (I Samuel 30:11-15). This encounter highlights God's hand at work, orchestrating events to favor those who trust in Him.
David and his men arrived at the Amalekite camp to find them relaxed and vulnerable, feasting and celebrating their victory (I Samuel 30:16). They launched a surprise attack, completely routing the Amalekites and recovering everything that had been taken, "both small and great, sons and daughters, spoil, and everything that they had taken from them. David recovered all" (I Samuel 30:18-19). The joy of the victorious troops was overflowing, they exclaimed, "This is David’s plunder!" (I Samuel 30:20).
The Principle of Equal Sharing (30:21-25)
Upon returning, a dispute arose regarding the distribution of the recovered spoils. Some of the men who had accompanied David argued that the 200 who stayed behind should not share in the plunder (I Samuel 30:22). However, David, recognizing the Lord's protection and the shared effort of the entire company, established a principle of equal sharing, declaring that "as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike" (I Samuel 30:24). This became a statute and ordinance for Israel, emphasizing fairness, unity, and valuing the contribution of all members of the community. David understood that true victory wasn't just about military success but about honoring God's principles of justice and compassion.
David's Diplomatic Generosity (30:26-31)
David further solidified his position and strengthened his ties with his own tribe, Judah, by sending gifts from the plunder to the elders in various cities, including Hebron (I Samuel 30:26-31). The Amalekites had looted "the territory of Judah" (I Samuel 30:14), and David's generous act restored what they had lost and reaffirmed his loyalty to his people. Hebron is particularly significant, as it would later become the place where David was anointed king of Israel (2 Samuel 2:1-4).
David’s wise actions in I Samuel 30 demonstrate not only military prowess but also astute political acumen and a deep understanding of human nature. By sharing the spoils and reaffirming his loyalty to his people, David laid the groundwork for his future reign and solidified his leadership among the tribes of Israel.
I Samuel 30 offers a timeless message of hope and resilience. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is with us, providing strength, guidance, and ultimately, restoration. David's story encourages us to seek God's face in times of trouble, to trust in His promises, and to act with fairness and compassion towards others. It is a testament to the power of faith and the faithfulness of God.