1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 30:1

4. Amalekites Defeated (Chap. 30)30:1-6 While David had been marching north with the armies of Achish, the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and taken . . . the women and children captive. Thus when David returned he found only the smoldering remains of his city. Was this possibly a judgment of God upon him for joining the Philistines? If so, David showed his great insight into the character of God, because he went to Him for comfort when everything and everyone was against him. He knew there was no one to turn to for strength in such an overwhelming crisis except the LORD, of whom it is said, “He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up” (Hos_6:1). 30:7-15 After inquiring of the Lord, David went out after the Amalekites, assured of success. Two hundred of his men (one third) could travel no farther than the Brook Besor because they were emotionally drained from their recent loss and physically exhausted from their three-day march to Ziklag. David left them there and went south with the remaining four hundred men, tired yet pursuing. In a short while they found an ailing Egyptian in the field who had been left . . . behind by his Amalekite . . . master to die. He was given food and water and soon regained a measure of strength. In return for promised safety, he led David to the Amalekite camp. 30:16-25 The last thing the drunken Amalekites expected was a surprise guest at their victory celebration. David sprang like a leopard on the revelers and completely overpowered the much larger force. Only four hundred young men . . . escaped the sword, riding off on camels. The Hebrew captives were freed unharmed and an immense amount of spoil was taken, all in less than twenty-four hours. David was given the sheep and cattle captured from the Amalekites as his portion; but some of his men didn’t want to share the rest of the spoil with their comrades who had stayed behind at Besor. David made . . . an ordinance that those who “stayed by the stuff” would share equally with those who went out to the battle (see also Num_31:27). 30:26-31 David divided his spoil into gifts for various friends back in Judah. These presents were sent to all the places where he was accustomed to rove. They evidenced that God had prospered him against his enemies. He might also have been trying to cement his friendships to gain support in his struggle against Saul, not realizing that Saul was now dead.