When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. When David and his men came to the cityDavid and his men were returning to Ziklag, a city given to David by Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. This city served as a base for David during his time of exile from King Saul. The return to Ziklag followed a period where David and his men were dismissed from joining the Philistine army in battle against Israel. This context highlights the tension David faced, being caught between his loyalty to Israel and his temporary alliance with the Philistines. they found it burned down
The burning of Ziklag was the work of the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe and long-standing enemies of Israel. This act of destruction was not just a military tactic but also a form of psychological warfare, intended to demoralize David and his men. The Amalekites' attack was opportunistic, taking advantage of the absence of the city's defenders. This event echoes the earlier biblical narrative where the Amalekites attacked the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, as recorded in Exodus 17:8-16. and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive
The capture of the women and children was a common practice in ancient warfare, serving both as a means of acquiring slaves and as leverage against the enemy. This situation was particularly dire for David, as it involved his own family, including his wives Ahinoam and Abigail. The personal loss and the potential for despair among his men set the stage for David's leadership to be tested. This event foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ, who came to set captives free, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1 and fulfilled in Luke 4:18. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed future king of Israel, who at this time was leading a group of men while fleeing from King Saul. 2. David's MenA group of loyal followers who were with David during his time of exile and shared in his struggles and victories. 3. ZiklagThe city given to David by Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, which served as a base for David and his men. 4. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe that frequently raided and plundered, known for their hostility towards Israel. 5. CaptivityThe event where the Amalekites captured the families of David and his men, taking them away from Ziklag. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyEven in devastating situations, like the burning of Ziklag, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate plan and sovereignty. Leadership in CrisisDavid's response to the crisis at Ziklag demonstrates the importance of seeking God's guidance and maintaining faith under pressure. Community and SupportThe unity and shared grief of David and his men highlight the importance of community support during trials. Spiritual WarfareThe Amalekites' attack is a reminder of the spiritual battles believers face and the need for vigilance and prayer. Restoration and HopeDespite the initial devastation, the account of Ziklag ultimately points to God's power to restore and bring hope out of despair. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to the crisis at Ziklag inform our understanding of godly leadership in times of distress? 2. In what ways can the account of Ziklag encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty when we face personal losses? 3. How does the historical enmity between Israel and the Amalekites reflect the ongoing spiritual battles we encounter today? 4. What role does community play in helping us navigate through difficult times, as seen in the unity of David and his men? 5. How can we apply the principle of seeking God's guidance in crisis, as demonstrated by David, to our own lives and decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 27:6Provides context for why David was in Ziklag, as it was given to him by Achish. Exodus 17:8-16Describes the Amalekites' first attack on Israel, establishing their long-standing enmity. Psalm 34Reflects David's reliance on God during times of distress, similar to his response in 1 Samuel 30. 2 Samuel 22David's song of deliverance, which echoes themes of God's faithfulness and deliverance seen in his recovery of the captives. Romans 8:28Relates to the theme of God working all things for good, even in dire circumstances like the burning of Ziklag. People Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, NabalPlaces Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, ZiklagTopics Behold, Burned, Burnt, Captive, Captives, Daughters, David, Destroyed, Fire, Prisoners, Sons, Town, Wives, ZiklagDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 30:1-3 5246 captivity 1 Samuel 30:3-6 5835 disappointment Library At the Front or the Base
'As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.'--1 Samuel xxx. 24. David's city of Ziklag had been captured by the Amalekites, while he and all his men who could carry arms were absent, serving in the army of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. On their return they found ruin, their homes harried, their wives, children, and property carried off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit of the spoilers, who had had a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Secret of Courage
'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'--1 Samuel xxx. 6. David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's persistent hostility, to take refuge in the Philistines' country. He had gathered around himself a band of desperate men, and was living very much like a freebooter. He had found refuge in a little city of the Philistines, far down in the South, from which he and his men had marched as a contingent …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE themselves with a leader must share his fortunes. Six hundred men had quitted their abodes in Judaea; unable to endure the tyranny of Saul they had linked themselves with David, and made him to be a captain over them. They were, some of them, the best of men, and some of them were the worst: in this, resembling our congregations. Some of them were choice spirits, whom David would have sought, but others were undesirable persons, from whom he might gladly have been free. However, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 30:3 NIV1 Samuel 30:3 NLT1 Samuel 30:3 ESV1 Samuel 30:3 NASB1 Samuel 30:3 KJV
1 Samuel 30:3 Commentaries
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