This chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter. David and his men return from Aphek after being rejected by the Philistines, and finds his home burned to the ground. However, David chooses not to lean on his own understanding, and instead, continues to rely on the Lord to direct his path. The chapter begins, “Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and had burned Ziklag to the ground. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more. David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel, were among those captured. David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. (Why are they upset with David?) But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1Samuel 30:1-6)
Wow...that’s what’s up! “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” (Proverbs 3:5)
The text continues, “Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase them? Will I catch them?” And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” So David and his six hundred men set out, and they soon came to Besor Brook. But two hundred of the men were too exhausted to cross the brook, so David continued the pursuit with his four hundred remaining troops. Some of David’s troops found an Egyptian man in a field and brought him to David. They gave him some bread to eat and some water to drink. They also gave him part of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins because he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for three days and nights. It wasn’t long before his strength returned.
“To whom do you belong, and where do you come from?” David asked him. “I am an Egyptian -- the slave of an Amalekite,” he replied. “My master left me behind three days ago because I was sick. We were on our way back from raiding the Kerethites in the Negev, the territory of Judah, and the land of Caleb, and we had just burned Ziklag. (Wow...check out the Lord doing his work!!!)
“Will you lead me to them?” David asked. The young man replied, “If you swear by God’s name that you will not kill me or give me back to my master, then I will guide you to them.” (1 Samuel 30:7-15)
Side note: Look at how the Lord will GUIDE YOU, if you just call on HIM to be your guide. “Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6 NLT) That’s exactly what David did when his own men wanted to stone him. Lord, you are amazing! You planted that sick man there to help David. The man was left for dead, but you restored his life and David’s life!
The Egyptian led David and his men directly to the Amalekites’ camp, and as the Amalekites were celebrating for the great amount of plunder they had stolen from the Philistines, David and his men slaughtered them. “David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing; small or great, son or daughter, or anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back. His troops rounded up all the flocks and herds and drove them on ahead. “These all belong to David as his reward!” they said. (First they wanted to kill David, and now they are honoring him. Won’t God do it?!?)
When they reached Besor Brook and met the two hundred men who had been too tired to go with them, David greeted them joyfully. But some troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.” But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the enemy. Do you think anyone will listen to you when you talk like this? We share and share alike -- those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” From then on David made this a law for all of Israel, and it is still followed.” (1 Samuel 30:18-25)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to continually trust you and lean not on our own understanding! For if we do that, and acknowledge and seek you...you will direct our paths. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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