August 4, 2025
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Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 30 (NIV)
David Destroys the Amalekites
1 David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, 2 and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.….Continue Reading
It is about time that we see David consulting the Lord’s direction for his next step. Once given assurance of God’s presence with him to right the wrong the Amalekites have done to David and his men, the Amalekites idon’thave a chance. It is so important to watch who we blame and the actions we take when we suffer loss to make sure we are thinking correctly. God even makes provision of someone to lead them to them. What comfort must have come to David and his men when their people are rescued. It adds perspective to why they had reacted the way they did at the beginning. And it is generous of David to share the plunder with those who had stayed back as well with those in Judah. How important for a leader to have wisdom and for that wisdom to be the thing that guides him or her rather then the opinion of people.
David has himself back together and seeking God before acting. I am sure as a soldier to hear what had happened to his home and wife he would normally just spring into action and retaliate but instead he asks God first. He also shows kindness to the Egyptian slave when normally in the heat of a battle they would have disregarded this man and yet he becomes the person who leads them to the Amalekites. God’s provision and direction confirmed once again!
What a reunion this must have been to retrieve all that they had lost especially their families! God did not let anything happen to them. As a result of David now walking with God the plunder is distributed evenly and fairly and relationships that were hurt during David’s time with the Philistines are restored.
1 Samuel 30
Mark 14; 1 Samuel 29-30; Galatians 5
1 Samuel 29 & 30
Here we see an event that helps David regain his trust in the Lord. In light of the circumstances, David finds strength in God and he inquires of the Lord on what to do next. After that, he is successful with his endeavor to get his people back, he imparts fairness upon his men, and he reestablishes his relationship with the people of Judah who are his friends. All good examples of how we are to respond when we are under attack by our enemies.
It is Providence that Achish sent David back to Ziklag, who knows what would have become of his family and the families of his men were they gone off in battle with the Philistines.
David immediately recognizes he needs to consult the Lord before pursuing. A good decision for an impulsive man.