“The God of compassion and mercy…slow to anger, filled with love and faithfulness, who lavishes unfailing love to a thousand generations, forgiving wickedness, rebellion,
and sin.” —Exodus 34:6,7
Read the story of how David’s compromise led to the crisis of Ziklag in 1 Samuel 29-30.
“Don’t stay here; go at once to Judah.” —God (1 Samuel 22:5)
“The best thing I can do is escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me…” —David (1 Samuel 27:1)
…the Amalekites attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away… 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. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him… But David strengthened himself in the Lord. —1 Samuel 30:1-6
The Lord delivered me because He delighted in me. Your hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. —Psalm 18:19,35
He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. —Isaiah 30:19
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28
Archaeologists Find Ziklag
youtube.com/watch?v=OSB0asPn35s
Discussion Questions
1. David faced an enormous crisis at Ziklag. What did he do to bring it on? How did he get out of it?
2. Talk about a time when you tried to solve a problem on your own instead of turning to God and created a big mess for yourself.
3. What was the most important thing you heard in this week’s study?