1 Samuel 30:1-31

30:1-5 | David returned home and found that Ziklag had been ransacked by the Amalekites, one of the nations David raided in 27:8. The Amalekites were placed under divine judgment (Deut. 25:19) because they had attacked the Israelites after the Exodus from Egypt (Ex. 17:8-13).

30:6 | Life had reduced David’s options to one. Sooner or later, life does that to everyone. And the solution for every person is the same. When David’s men turned on him in their despair, David strengthened himself (encouraged his heart) in the Lord. His habit of worshiping Yahweh during difficult times produced many of the Psalms. Worship is a disciplined act of the will, not something to be engaged in only when God’s people feel like it.

30:7-8 | Abiathar was still acting as David’s high priest, and David was still properly consulting the sacred lots to hear from the Lord. God’s response to David (in contrast to His lack of response to Saul) showed that He was now guiding David.

30:11-15 | The Lord used this unexpected encounter with the Egyptian in the wilderness to help David overcome his enemies and rescue all that had been taken from Ziklag.

30:16-20 | David’s successful rescue mission, in which nothing was lacking or unaccounted for, helped set the stage for David’s rise to the throne. The way he took care of his men and their belongings convinced the people they could trust him.

30:21-25 | David’s wisdom in dealing with his men’s jealousy is a concrete example of his remarkable leadership skills. He pointed out that all they had recaptured was a gift from God – what the Lord has given us. The custom of honoring those who stayed back to watch the baggage as well as those who fought in the battle is good military strategy because it builds loyalty and unity.

30:22 | The word translated worthless is also used in 1 Samuel to describe a supposedly drunken woman – Hannah (1:16); Eli’s sons (2:12); men who foolishly opposed Saul (10:27); and Nabal (25:25).