1 Samuel 30

This is the next-to-last chapter of 1 Samuel. In 1 Samuel 29, the lords of the Philistines exclude David from their battle against Israel, and David returns to Ziklag. This chapter runs parallel to 1 Samuel 31, in which Saul falls in battle on Mount Gilboa at about the same time.

Outline

• Verses 1–6 On the third day David and his men reach Ziklag and find that the Amalekites have burned the city and carried off the women and children. David's two wives have also been taken captive. The people speak of stoning David, but David encourages himself in the LORD.
• Verses 7–10 David inquires of the LORD by means of the ephod brought by the priest Abiathar and then sets out in pursuit. Of his 600 men, 200 who are too exhausted remain at the brook Besor, while 400 continue the chase.
• Verses 11–16 David's men find an Egyptian youth abandoned by his master, give him food, and with his guidance locate the Amalekite camp.
• Verses 17–20 They fight from dawn until the evening of the next day and strike down all the Amalekites except 400 who flee on camels. Nothing that had been taken is lost; everything is recovered.
• Verses 21–25 Some of "the wicked men and men of Belial" propose that the 200 who stayed behind receive no share, but David has the spoil divided equally, and this becomes a statute in Israel.
• Verses 26–31 David sends portions of the spoil to the elders of various towns of Judah, including Hebron and Bethel.

Key Verses

• 1 Samuel 30:6 "And David was greatly distressed . . . but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." Here "distressed" denotes being in dire straits and great difficulty. The verse is regarded as a classic expression of faith in the midst of despair.
• 1 Samuel 30:8 "Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all." The verse shows David inquiring of God before taking action.
• 1 Samuel 30:24 "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." The principle that each man's part (his allotted share) is to be equal becomes law.

Characters and Places

• David: The future king of Israel, at that time taking refuge in Philistine territory.
• Abiathar: The son of Ahimelech and the priest who was with David.
• Ahinoam: David's wife from Jezreel.
• Abigail: Formerly the wife of Nabal the Carmelite, she became David's wife.
• The Egyptian youth: A servant of an Amalekite, abandoned when he fell sick.
• Ziklag: The town that Achish, king of the Philistines, gave to David (1 Samuel 27).
• The brook Besor: A stream in the south where the 200 exhausted men stayed behind.

Points for Reflection

• The principle of sharing the spoil may be compared with the regulation in Numbers 31, where the spoil is divided between those who fought and the congregation.
• Inquiring of God by means of the ephod also appears in 1 Samuel 23. Many interpreters connect this practice with the Urim and Thummim, but the text does not describe the specific method.
• Some sermons interpret the disaster at Ziklag as discipline for David's having taken refuge among the Philistines, but the text does not state this directly.
• Many commentaries read David's gifts to the elders of Judah as preparation for the events of 2 Samuel 2, in which David becomes king of Judah at Hebron.

In the Korean Church

Verse 6 is frequently used as a sermon text urging believers to rely on God in times of crisis. Verse 24 is often cited in sermons on the value of those who serve behind the scenes rather than in the forefront, as well as on the value of missionary support and intercessory prayer.