Finding the Strength to Function (1 Samuel 30:1-8)
30:1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?”
And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.”
Discovering Devastation (1 Samuel 30:1–3)
At this point in 1 Samuel, David, the Lord’s anointed future king, is living as a fugitive from the reigning king, Saul (1 Samuel 16:12–13; 27:1–4). Saul’s jealousy and repeated attempts on David’s life have driven the young anointed leader into Philistine territory (1 Samuel 18:6–12; 19:9–10). David has left Israel geographically. However, actions indicate that he has not abandoned his people. While living among the Philistines, he has raided the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites. He had done this leading Achish to believe that he has been attacking Judah and its allies (1 Samuel 27:8–12).
Recently, the Philistines gathered at Aphek to prepare for war against Israel, and David and his men accompanied Achish (1 Samuel 29:1–2). This placed David in a dangerous predicament: Israel’s future king was marching with an army preparing to fight his own people. But the alliance was ended before damage could be done. The other Philistine commanders distrusted him, fearing that he might turn against them during the battle. Their objections led Achish to dismiss David and send him home. We can recognize God’s providential protection in this turn of events, although the narrator does not reveal what David would have done had he entered the battle (1 Samuel 29:3–11). Achish dismisses David and thus he and his men return 75 miles to Ziklag.
David and his men arrive at Ziklag on the third day. While they were away, the Amalekites—one of the peoples David had been raiding—had invaded the South, or Negev, and attacked Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:8; 30:1). They burned the city and carried away its inhabitants, including the women, sons, and daughters. The text emphasizes that they killed no one. Their intention may have been to exploit or sell the captives (1 Samuel 30:1–3).
The Amalekites’ presence also recalls Saul’s earlier disobedience. The Lord had commanded Saul to execute judgment against Amalek, but Saul failed to carry out that command fully (1 Samuel 15:1–3, 7–9, 17–23). David has been dealing deadly blows to an enemy that Saul had been commissioned to destroy. And now that enemy has come against the home of David and his men. The attack on Ziklag is a direct consequence of Saul’s failure. Why do I say that?
The remaining Amalekites become a source of trouble for David (1 Samuel 30:1–3), recalling Joshua’s warning that if Israel turned from the Lord and attached itself to the remaining nations, those nations would become “snares and traps,” “scourges on your sides,” and “thorns in your eyes” (Joshua 23:12–13, NKJV). Moses had delivered a similar warning: the inhabitants Israel failed to drive out would become irritants and thorns, harassing them in the land (Numbers 33:55; see also Judges 2:1–3). Although these warnings are not specifically about the attack on Ziklag, they establish a sobering pattern: disobedience leaves trouble for another day—and sometimes for another generation. Saul’s incomplete obedience concerning Amalek forms part of the background to David’s later conflict with this enemy (1 Samuel 15:1–3, 7–9, 17–23). The devastation is the outworking of earlier disobedience.
Verse 3 brings the devastation into focus: their city was burned, their wives were missing, and their sons and daughters had been taken captive. The men returned expecting the comforts of home and reunion; they found destruction and separation.
This day’s disobedience can bring devastation down the line. What happens to the people after me if I am not faithful and do not finish the work God has commissioned me to do?
Moved to Tears (1 Samuel 30:4-5)
The scene was overwhelming for the men. Out of their grief they lifted up their voices; there was nothing quite about their expressions of anguish. Notice how freely these men express their sorrow. In settings where men are taught to suppress their tears, keep their crying quiet, or fear ridicule for showing emotion, David and his warriors offer a striking contrast. These battle-tested men give full voice to their sadness. They weep aloud until their strength is exhausted (1 Samuel 30:4). Their courage in battle does not make them incapable of anguish over their families. They weep and go to war with intensity.
Scripture repeatedly portrays men expressing profound sorrow. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33–36). Peter wept bitterly after denying his Lord (Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:61–62). The Ephesian elders wept freely as they embraced Paul at their farewell (Acts 20:36–38). In the distinct setting of repentance, James commands believers to “Lament and mourn and weep!” (James 4:9, NKJV). His call, in a culture more comfortable with crying, is to abandon casual attitudes toward sin and humble themselves before God (James 4:8–10).
A man’s mourning does not call his courage into question. It can indicate the extent to which his heart feels, the level to which he loves, and the magnitude of what a loss means to him. Those who would describe themselves as real men and have bought into the modern expectation of masculine restraint must deal with the fact that Jesus wept (John 11:35). Yes, real men, consider the fact that Christ cries.
| Man or men | Occasion | Expression of mourning | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob | Believing Joseph had been killed | Tore his clothes, wore sackcloth, and mourned for many days; refused consolation. | Genesis 37:34–35 |
| Joseph | His father Jacob’s death | Fell on his father’s face, wept over him, and kissed him. | Genesis 50:1 |
| David and his men | Discovering Ziklag destroyed and their families taken | Raised their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep. | 1 Samuel 30:3–4 |
| David and his men | The deaths of Saul, Jonathan, and other Israelites | Tore their clothes, mourned, wept, and fasted until evening. | 2 Samuel 1:11–12 |
| David | Abner’s murder | Followed the bier and wept aloud at the grave; the people joined him. | 2 Samuel 3:31–35 |
| David | Absalom’s death | Wept and repeatedly cried out for his son, wishing he had died in his place. | 2 Samuel 18:33; 19:1–4 |
| Jesus | Lazarus’s death and the sorrow surrounding it | Wept visibly; observers recognized His love for Lazarus. | John 11:33–36 |
| Jesus | Jerusalem’s coming judgment | Wept over the city as He approached it. | Luke 19:41–44 |
| Peter | Recognizing his denial of Jesus | Went out and wept bitterly. | Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:61–62 |
| Devout men | Stephen’s death | Buried him and expressed great lamentation over him. | Acts 8:2 |
| The Ephesian elders | Expecting never to see Paul again | Wept freely, embraced him, and kissed him. | Acts 20:36–38 |
The author, having described the general state of affairs among the men, now draws our attention to David. The anointed is not above his associates; the man after God’s own heart has not been exempted from this ordeal, he has not been given a pass on this predicament, or somehow saved from the situation. David’s two wives had been taken captive. The calling on his life has not kept him from this trouble. I submit it has made it worse.
The Difference in David (1 Samuel 30:6)
The now (Hebrew, transliteration) that opens 1 Samuel 30:6 signals an additional movement in the narrative away from describing the group and its leader to a comparison of how they are coping with this trial. The difference in David and his men is now put on display. We are told that David is greatly distressed (Hebrew, transliteration). Underlying the translation distressed is a word that indicates high pressure and constraint; it has the idea of being pushed to his limit but having nowhere to go with his emotions.
What about the men? When experiencing deep hurt people are prone to look for someone to blame; hurting people hurt people. From the perspective of men in deep discomfort the losses were to be charged to David. “Our wives and children are gone because we listened to David, because we followed his lead, and because he does know what he is doing.” The word translated grieved (Hebrew, transliteration) is better translated bitter (ESV, NASB, NET, NIV, NLT); that is how it is normally translated. (See Ruth 1:20 for an example of how it is used by people in that time.) Out of their bitterness of soul they talked of killing their leader. In bitterness we become defiled; we are not fit for worship or fellowship with others (Hebrews 12:14-17).
As the people spoke of stoning him he was aware of their conversation; it was the reason for his great distress. And he has no one to turn to:
- David cannot look to the nation at this time. He is an outlaw and living as a fugitive. If he tried to seek counsel or help from King Saul he would be killed.
- David cannot turn to his best friend Jonathan. The son of Saul loves David and has strengthened him in dark times () but is not here to help him in this moment.
- David cannot turn to his men. They are undone by their pain and are becoming part of David’s problem.
God Almighty has allowed this. Indeed, the circumstances were designed to lead this man of God into realizations and a new level of leadership. At last we are made aware of the distinction between David and the other men. They have all suffered loss of things and they are all separated from their loved ones. Out of their loss they have all been moved to great sadness. But this is where the similarities end and the difference in David is put on display.
They became bitter. David became better. When there was no one to strengthen David, David strengthened himself in the Lord.
How did he do that? I have prayed and sought the Lord concerning this. It seems to me that this is a much needed how-to chapter in the book of believing in God. After prayer here is what I have come up with:
David reviewed the history of the Most High; God had been compassionate and merciful to David’s people and himself in the past and had shown him great care in former years in his times of trouble. Recalling these facts was food to his faith. The calling on his life, when remembered, made it unreasonable to think that he was through. If he has not yet started to reign as king of Israel, this cannot be his end. And there was the matter of God’s character: He cannot lie and is faithful. Finally, when he was done strengthening himself in the Lord, the man could return to his role – leading. But now he has learned to lead without finding his strength in the nation, in friends, in family, or in fortunate circumstances. David has learned to lead in hard times when it is only him and God. What comes out of him now? “We need a word from the Lord right now.”
Leveled-Up Leadership (1 Samuel 30:7-8)
With his men grieving and threatening his life, David takes the next necessary step: he seeks direction from God. Having strengthened himself in the Lord, the man after God’s heart begins to lead again. Notice that his circumstances remain painful. But, with his new strength, he can still fulfill his responsibility. David also calls upon Abiathar to fulfill his role as priest. He respectfully requests the ephod, and Abiathar brings it to him (1 Samuel 30:7). Together, they turn their attention toward discerning the Lord’s will.
The ephod was a priestly garment. The breastplate attached to it held the Urim and Thummim, sacred objects associated with seeking God’s decisions (Exodus 28:28–30). God had instructed Joshua to seek guidance through Eleazar the priest by means of the Urim (Numbers 27:21). David had likewise sought divine guidance with Abiathar and the ephod before (1 Samuel 23:9–12). In this crisis, he returns to that practice. David’s example illustrates the wisdom expressed in Proverbs 3:5–6: trust the Lord, acknowledge Him, and submit your course to His direction. The urgency of the situation does not make seeking God unnecessary. David asks two questions:
- “Shall I pursue this troop?” Should he undertake the pursuit?
- “Shall I overtake them?” Will he succeed in catching them?
The Lord’s answer provides direction to pursue, assurance that he will overtake the raiders, and a promise of complete recovery. David then acts on that answer (1 Samuel 30:8–9). Here we see leadership strengthened through dependence on God. David is able to serve the very people who have threatened him. His leadership has leveled up. Hostility does not deter him from doing his duty. Even in anguish he is found seeking guidance from God. He receives God’s direction and leads the men forward.
This is the leadership lesson for us: we can acknowledge our pain, receive strength from the Lord, and take the next faithful step. We need not wait for everyone’s approval or for every difficult feeling to disappear before obeying what God has made clear. The promise of complete recovery belonged to David in this particular situation. Our confidence rests in God’s faithfulness as we obey Him, whatever the outcome He appoints.
Recovered strength becomes a renewed resolve to discover and do God’s will: David finds strength in the Lord, seeks direction from the Lord, and moves forward at the word of the Lord.
Questions and Courses of Action
| Course of Action | Put It into Practice | Question to Consider | Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bring your grief to God. | Name your hurt in prayer, ask a trusted believer to pray with you, and seek forgiveness where your anger has wounded others. | Who is receiving the anger flowing from my pain? | 1 Samuel 30:4–6; Hebrews 12:14–15 |
| Remember God’s faithfulness. | Write one reminder of His compassion, care, call, and character. Review these daily and turn them into prayer. | What truth about God am I forgetting in this trial? | 1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 56:3–4 |
| Take the next faithful step. | Seek direction through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel. This week, act on one neglected responsibility or postponed act of obedience—even while hurting. | What has God already made clear that I need to do? | 1 Samuel 30:7–9; Proverbs 3:5–6 |
Afterword
David is not only very different from his men, he stands in stark contract with Israel’s first king. I am especially appreciative of Bergen’s summary contrast of David and Saul.
The author skillfully used vv. 6–8 to draw yet one more sharp distinction between David and Saul. During a time of great distress both men sought supernatural guidance for battle. Chronologically, they probably were seeking guidance on the very same day. However, one defied the Torah; the other utilized its gracious provision. Saul sought help from a medium and received the promise of death; David sought help through an Aaronic priest using the ephod and received the promise—later fulfilled—of life and blessing. (Bergen, 1996, Vol. 7, p. 276)
The following are Psalms and passages that shed light on the thinking of David.
Psalm 18:2
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 31:24
24 Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 42:5
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
Psalm 50:15
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
Psalm 56:3–4
3 Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
4 In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:11
11 In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
References
Baldwin, J. G. (1988). 1 and 2 Samuel: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 8, pp. 177–178). InterVarsity Press.
Bergen, R. D. (1996). 1, 2 Samuel. Broadman & Holman Publishers.