College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Samuel 30 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 30
David's camp looted. David and his men marched for three days from Aphek and came to Ziklag. They arrived only to find that their camp had been attacked, the city had been burned with fire, and the men's wives and sons and daughters had been taken captives,
David's pursuit of his enemies. David made inquiry of Abiathar, the priest, to find out the Lord's will. The Lord informed him that he should pursue those who had destroyed his camp. David found a straggler from the enemy's forces, and the straggler helped David to take the enemy's camp by surprise.
David's good will towards Judah. David took considerable spoil from the Amalekites, who had attacked the camp. He did not keep all of it himself. He ordered that all his men should share equally in the spoils, and he then sent some of the spoils to the cities of Judah. He especially made sure that spoils were sent to Hebron and to all the places where he and his men had been protected when they fled from Saul.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
There is strength in the Lord. David's men were so distressed when they saw that their wives and children had been taken captive that they threatened to stone David. David himself was really distressed, but we read this significant statement of David: David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6 b). When there is none other to give help, God is always close at hand.
2.
Victory belongs to the soldiers of the Lord. A weaker man than David might have given up in despair when he returned to find that his own city had been pillaged and burned. He continued his march against the enemy and by the strength of the Lord was victorious. We need to remember that often victory is just around the corner. Sometimes we give up just on the brink of ultimate victory, but thus we know only defeat.
3.
Blessings are to be shared. David was very unselfish in not keeping all the spoils for himself. He would not allow the selfish men in his army to keep those who had watched the baggage from sharing the spoils. He made it an ordinance in Israel that those who went to battle and those who watched the baggage were to share and share alike in the spoils of war. He also shared the spoils with those who had befriended him in earlier days. This is the magnanimous spirit needed by all of God's people.
CHAPTER 30 IN REVIEW
1.
Who had attacked Ziklag?
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2.
How long had David taken to reach Ziklag?
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3.
Which wives of David were captured?
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4.
What did David's men propose to do to him?
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5.
What did the priest bring to David?
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6.
What was the priest's name?
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7.
How many men went with David?
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8.
How many stayed behind?
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9.
Whom did David's men find in a field?
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10.
To whom did David send some of the spoil he took?
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