1 Samuel Chapter 31

THE DEATH OF SAUL AND HIS SONS
A. King Saul and his sons die in battle

1. (1 Sam 31:1) The battle turns against Israel
Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

The Philistines fought against Israel: The narrative here is very abrupt. The Philistines attacked deep into Israeli territory (1 Samuel 28:4). Saul's army assembled and prepared for battle at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4). Because of his deep rebellion against the LORD, Saul was not ready for battle. Instead of taking his fear to the LORD, Saul made things worse by seeking God's voice through a spirit medium. Strangely, God did speak to Saul, but He spoke words of judgment through an unusual appearance of the prophet Samuel. Samuel told Saul that he and his sons would die the next day (1 Samuel 28:19). First Samuel 31:1 is the next day.

Four memorable battles in the history of Israel were fought on or near the plain of Esdraelon "The Great battlefield of Israel".

1. The battle of Kishon, in which Deborah and Barak defeated the host of Sisera (Judges 4:15, Judges 5:21).

2. The battle of Jezreel, in which Gideon's three hundred routed the vast horde of the Midianites (Judges 7).

3. The disastrous battle of Mount Gilboa recorded here.

4. The battle of Megiddo, where Josiah lost his life fighting against Pharaoh Necho (2 Chronicles 35:20-24).

The men of Israel fled: The battle took place on the plain of Jezreel. The men of Israel were driven back in their camp. In confusion, they fled up the heights of Gilboa pursued by the Philistines.


2. (1 Sam 31:2) The death of Saul's sons
The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua the sons of Saul.

The Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua: Tragically, Saul's sons were affected in the judgment of God against their father, Saul. The brave and worthy Jonathan dies as we might expect him to--loyally fighting for his God, his country and his father to the very end.

Sons of Saul: Their death was tragic, yet important in God's plan. In taking the heirs to Saul's throne, God cleared the way for David to become the next king of Israel. We know that if Jonathan would have survived, he would have gladly yielded the throne to David (1 Samuel 18:1-4). But, the same could not be said of Saul's other sons. God was merciful to Jonathan by sparing him the ordeal of having to side with David against his own brothers.


3. (1 Sam 31:3-6) The tragic end of King Saul
The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me." But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him. Thus Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together.

The battle went heavily against Saul: The great king, no doubt, fought like a lion. But one by one, his brave soldiers fell by his side. The enemy seems to have directed their principal attention to killing or capturing Saul.

He was badly wounded by the archers: In the deadly combat, it would have been very difficult to strike down King Saul in hand to hand combat as he would have been heavily guarded. Instead, archers assaulted the king, eventually striking him down. Gradually weakened through blood loss, and perhaps with the words Saul had heard only a few hours before at Endor from the prophet Samuel ringing in his ears, "Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me," the great undaunted courage of the king at last fails Saul. In desperation, he turns to his armor bearer, who was still by his side.

His armor bearer: Jewish tradition states that Saul's faithful armor bearer was Doeg, the Edomite. Moreover, the sword which belonged to his armor bearer was the sword with which Doeg had massacred the priests at Gibeon and at Nob.

Make sport of me: Saul seems to remember how these same Philistines in former years had treated the hero, Samson, when he fell into their hands. (Judges 16:18-26)

But his armor bearer would not: Love and devotion to his master, we can imagine, hindered the armor bearer from carrying out the king's command. If the armor bearer was indeed Doeg, the Edomite, Saul and Doeg would have had a very long friendship spanning many years. Some dread of the after consequences, too, might have weighed on the armor bearer's mind, as he would have been responsible for ending the king's life.

So Saul took his sword and fell on it: This is one of the rare instances in which a person self-destructs. It seems to have been almost unknown among the Israeli people. Prior to Saul, the only other recorded example of this seems to have been of Samson. The hero sacrificed his life in order to destroy the great crowd of Philistine men. Samson's death in the Dagon Temple at Gaza is more often considered an act of heroism, like that of dying in battle, than that of self-destruction.

In the way most people think of suicide, Saul's death was not suicide. Saul was mortally wounded when he begged his armor bearer to end his life. Although this would accelerate his death, it would not be the cause of it as Saul was mortally wounded before. Saul acted on the conviction that he would not survive his injuries.

When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead: In 2 Samuel 1:4-10, an Amalekite came to David with the report that Saul had died and that he had actually delivered the death blow to Saul. Does this Amalekite's statement contrdict this passage where it seems Saul killed himself? It may be that Saul fell on his sword, and life still lingered in him. So, he asked this Amalekite to end his life. Or it may be that the Amalekite simply lied and was the first person to come upon Saul's dead body. The Amalekite then told David that he killed him because the Amalekite thought that David would be pleased and would give him a reward.

Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men on that day together: As sad as anything was in this account, there was no sorrow or repentance or crying out to God on Saul's part. He was told the previous day that he would die (1 Samuel 28:19). Yet, he did not seem to prepare his soul to meet God in any way. At the end of his life, Saul became so hard in sin that he did not want to repent. Many people put off getting right with God until a later time, assuming they will still want to get right with God then. But, that is a dangerous assumption because repentance is a gift from God.


B. Aftermath of the Philistine's victorious battle

1. (1 Sam 31:7) A significant defeat for Israel
When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, with those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled; then the Philistine came and lived in them.

The men of Israel fled and that Saul and his sons were dead: This was a great defeat. When King Saul was struck, it spread panic among God's people. Jesus knew this same principle would be used against His own disciples: "Then Jesus said to them, 'All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it it written, "I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered"'" (Mark 14:27).

Saul's sin, hardened rebellion and eventual ruin affected far more than himself. It affected his army and his sons. It literally endangered the entire nation of Israel. This shows why leaders have a higher responsibility; they can endanger far more people than the fall of someone who is not a leader.


2. (2 Sam 31:8-10) The Philistines disgrace the corpses of King Saul and his sons
It came about on the next day when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them through the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. They put his weapons in the temple of Ashteroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.

They found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa: It is only stated that the Philistines found royal corpses on the day after the great fight. So desperate had the valor with which the king and his three sons had defended their last position on the hill that night had fallen and the battle had ceased. The enemy was unaware of the completeness of their success until the morning dawn revealed to the soldiers as they waded through the casualties of which the king and his sons were among the slain.

They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons: Only Saul's head and armor are mentioned here, but on comparing 1 Samuel 31:12, where the bodies of his sons are mentioned, it is clear that this act was not confined only to the king. The sense of this passage is that the heads of the king and his sons were cut off and their armor stripped from their bodies. The heads and armor were sent as trophies around to the various towns and villages of Philistia.

They fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan: Beth-shan (also known as Scythopolis) lies about four miles from the Jordan River on the west, and about twelve miles south of the sea of Galilee. It is almost in a straight line west of Mahanaim. We are told in Judges 1:27 that the Canaanites, the original inhabitants of the city, were permitted by the tribe of Manasseh to still dwell in the city. The Canaanite population was perhaps the reason why Beth-shan was chosen for the barbarous exhibition. The Canaanites would probably have welcomed the miserable spectacle.

You can go to the ruins of Beth-shan today, as the foundations to the city sit high on a hill overlooking the Roman ruins destroyed in an earthquake. It was high on that hill that the Philistines hung the decapitated corpse of King Saul.


3. (1 Sam 31:11-13) The men of Jabesh-Gilead end the disgrace of Saul and his sons
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead: The memory of the splendid feat of arms of young King Saul when he had gallantly rescued their city (1 Samuel 11:1-11) years before, when they were threatened with deadly peril by the Ammonites, was still fresh in the minds of the people of Jabesh-Gilead.

Jabesh-Gilead: It was a city in Manasseh, perhaps about 14 miles from Beth-shan.

All the valiant men rose: In a time of disgrace, loss and tragedy like this, God still had valiant men to do His work. When one servant passes away, another arises to take his place. If Saul is gone, God raises up a man like David. If the army of Israel is utterly routed, God still has His valiant men like those of Jabesh-Gilead. God's work is bigger than any man or any group of people.

And burned them there: The burning of the corpse was never the custom in Israel. It was restricted to criminals convicted of the most heinous crimes ("If there is a man who marries a woman and her mother, it is immorality; both he and they shall be burned with fire, so that there will be no immorality in your midst" Leviticus 20:14.) The reason for the burning is clear. The mutilated bodies had been exposed for some days to the air, and the flesh was no doubt in a state of putrefaction. The flesh only was burned. The bones (verse 13) were reverently and lovingly preserved and laid to rest beneath the beautiful shade of the tamarisk tree.

Fasted seven days: A sign of mourning.

When David hears of Saul's death, he does not rejoice. In fact, he mourns and composes a song in honor of Saul and Jonathan (The Song of the Bow 2 Samuel 1:17-27). In spite of all that Saul did against David, David still spoke well of Saul after his death. Choosing this kind of heart showed David to be a true "man after God's own heart". It showed that the years in the wilderness escaping Saul were really years when God trained David to be a king after God's own heart. Despite David's sin, David never followed in the same tragic footsteps as King Saul.

1 Samuel Chapter 30 Part Two (Verses 16-31)

4. (1 Sam 30:16-20) David routs and spoils the Amalekites and wins back everything
When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. But nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back. So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, "This is David's spoil."

When he had brought them down: Though left behind, the Egyptian knew the course which the Amalekites had taken, and thus he was able to bring David and his men quickly to them.

They were spread over all the land: The Amalekites were secure and careless as they celebrated their successful raids across the Negev. They were now almost to their border, and their biggest enemies (the Philistines and the Israelites) were in the north fighting their own battle. Additionally, they believed David and his men were fighting in the Philistine-Israel war in the north. Who could disrupt this time of great feasting?

Eating and drinking and dancing: The literal Hebrew is "keeping festival". Like all joyous celebrations, spontaneous singing and dancing breaks out as the wine makes its way through their veins. Of course, no celebration is complete without an abundance of delicious food.

David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day: "From the twilight" can mean either the evening twilight or the morning twilight. Examining the Hebrew word nesep and noting in other places in Scripture such as Job 7:4 and Psalm 119:147, it is translated as "dawn", it is best to believe David and his men fought from early dawn to after sunset of the same day.

David and his men, being much fewer in number than the Amalekites, may have intentionally delayed their attack until the early morning hours. As most celebrations become quite rambunctious as the night grows strong, the Amalekites early in the morning would be heavy with sleep, food and drink. David and his men making a surprise attack on the Amalekites would have been greatly unanticipated. David and his men still seething with anger and fiery from the loss of their city and loved ones would have bravely fought the numerous Amalekites. When David and his men started attacking, it would have been mass confusion. And perhaps like other battles in which God fights for His people, Amalekites may have unintentionally slaughtered each other in the chaos.

Four hundred men who rode on camels: A band of fugitives equal to the size of all David's men managed to escape the surprise attack. Although we are not told the size of the Amalekite forces, noting that 400 men escaped helps us imagine the total number of Amalekite soldiers must have been very great.

David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken: Everything that the enemy raided, David took back. God gave him a complete victory because David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6), David "inquired of the LORD" (1 Samuel 30:8), David did what God told him to do, and David showed unexpected kindness and care to others.

God's promise was proven true. When David inquired of the LORD, God promised "You shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all" (1 Samuel 30:8). The promise was exactly fulfilled. However, it was only fulfilled because David was a man of action. He did not sit passively back and say, "All right God, You fight and deliver us from our plight." The LORD fulfilled His promise, but He used David's actions to do so. God's promise did not exclude David's cooperation. Rather, God's promise involved David and his men being faithful and obedient. David had to trust that God would defeat the Amalekites, but he had to march into battle as if it all depended on him.

This is David's spoil: It is not that David claimed the spoil for himself, but the soldiers, who of late were so incensed at David that they spoke of stoning him, now upon David's success magnified him and triumphantly celebrated. It is as if his men are saying, "David purchased these items by his valor and conduct. He may dispose of them as he pleases." God gave David even more than what He had promised him. David received the spoil from the Amalekite raids beyond what was taken from Ziklag. This was God's rich abundance of grace blessing David.

Some wonder why David was allowed to keep the spoil of the Amalekites when Saul was expressly commanded to not keep anything from that nation (1 Samuel 15:1-3). Moreover, Saul was judged by God for not obeying that command (1 Samuel 15:13-23). The answers are simple. First, David had no specific command from God to destroy all the spoil from the Amalekites as Saul did. Second, David recovered what the Amalekites took from others, although David recovered far beyond what was taken from Ziklag. Third, David was not acting as the king of Israel representing the LORD'S nation as Saul was. Simply put, the rules in this case were different for David than they were for Saul.


C. The spoil from the battle is divided

1. (1 Sam 30:21-25) The spoils are distributed equally among those who fought and those who stayed by the baggage
When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except every man his wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart." Then David said, "You must no do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike." So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statue and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

We will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered: As much as David has turned back to the LORD, many of his men seem to have no regard for God. It was God who had given them the victory. It was God who had given them the spoil. Now, in their selfishness, the men claim the spoil as theirs and not the LORD'S. This scene has played out many times over in history. Acts of greed and heartless covetousness often deprive many of their rewards.

You must not do so, my brothers: Using his authority to overrule their intentions, David manages this volatile situation with much grace and kindness. As ruthless and wicked as some of the men were, David politely reminds them that they are brothers--not only brothers in the same nation and brothers in the same land of Israel, but they were also brothers as fellow soldiers.

What the LORD has given us: It is as if David is saying, "When God has been so good to us, why ought we not share in God's rich abundance? He has blessed us. We must share in God's spoil with all who participated in this victory."

For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his shall be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike: David declared an important principle here: the supply lines are just are important as the soldiers. God will reward both soldiers and those who stayed behind equally. Many people serve God in invisible ways. Often, they are behind-the-scenes doing a vital aspect of the LORD'S work. God will reward those working on the front lines as well as those serving in hidden ways.

He made it a statue and an ordinance for Israel to this day: David having practiced this act of kindness during his reign of king made it a rule to follow for all kings after him. It is interesting to note that in the war with the Midianites, Moses orders half the spoil should belong to the combatants and half to the congregation who remained in the camp. ("You and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' households of the congregation take a count of the booty that was captured, both man and of animal; and divide the booty between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation" Numbers 31:26-27.)  This enactment by David was in the same spirit as that done by Moses.


2. (1 Sam 30:26-31) David mends strained relationships
Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Behold, a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD: to those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negev, and to those who were in Jattir, and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Borashan, and to those who were in Athach, and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men were accustomed to go."

He sent some of the spoil: To have made it worthwhile to have sent presents to all the places listed, the spoil from the Amalekites must have been ENORMOUS!!! Moreover, this is just some of the spoil. David and his men kept some of the booty acquired for their own personal gain.

Bethel: Not the famous city by that name, but it was probably the Bethul of Joshua 19:4 which is mentioned as lying near Hormah and Ziklag.

Ramoth of the Negev: Located in the south country, it was assigned to the tribe of Simeon.

Jattir This city belonged to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:48) ad was one of the cities assigned to the priests (Joshua 21:14).

Aroer: A city located south of Hebron.

Siphmoth: Nothing is known about this city.

Eshtemoa: A priestly city (Joshua 15:50 and Joshua 21:14). It is now called Es Semua and is located about nine miles south/southwest of Hebron.

Racal: Nothing is known about this city.

The cities of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites: They were located in the south of Judah, but their exact located is unknown.

Hormah: Called Zephath by the Canaanites (Joshua 12:14), it was assigned to Judah (Joshua 15:30) and transferred to Simeon (Joshua 19:4).

Borashan: Meaning "cistern of Ashan", this is the same as the city of Ashan, Simeonite city in the Negev originally given to Judah (Joshua 15:42 and Joshua 19:7).

Attach: Mentioned nowhere else in the Bible.

Hebron: It is one of the most ancient known cities in the world. It is now called El-Khalil which means "friend of God", owing to Abraham's residence there. During the early years of David's rule, Hebron was the residence and royal city of David. Beneath the building of the present Mosque of Hebron is the famous Cave of Machpelah, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and his wife Leah are buried. Hebron is located about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, situated in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky hills whose sides are clothed in vineyards.

All the places: It is evident that David's outlaw life must have lasted for some time and have proved an important factor in preparing the men of Judah to welcome him as their king. The instances above indicate that is was during this time period that he gained many of the faithful friends who afterwards filled offices of trust in his kingdom.

In conclusion: David knew that his time among the Philistines strained his relationships with God's people. Now, David knew he must do whatever he could to put things right again. So, he sent some of the spoil to the leaders in over 13 cities. This is the final step in David's getting things right after his time of backsliding among the Philistines.

Things David did to turn back to God:
1. David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
2. David inquired of the LORD.
3. David believed God's promise.
4. David did what God told him to do.
5. David showed unexpected care and kindness to others.
6. David saw it as the LORD'S victory.
7. David shared the reward with others.
8. David did what he could to mend relationships.

1 Samuel Chapter 30 Part One (verses 1-15)

DAVID IN VICTORY AGAIN

A. David's distress
1. (1 Sam 30:1-2) Ziklag is plundered by the Amalekites
Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way.

On the third day: This is the third day after King Achish had dismissed David and his contingent from the ranks of the Philistine army. The dismissal could hardly have taken place at Shunem, in the Jezreel Valley, for Shunem is some ninety miles from Ziklag. Achish and his men had marched from Gath along with David. Somewhere in Philistia, after the whole force had been gathered into one, David and his men were told to leave the Philistine army.

The Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev: This was partly in retaliation for the raids David and his men made on the Amalekites, and this partly took place because the Amalekites heard that the Philistine and Israeli armies had left the southern country and had gathered in central Israel for battle. The southern part of Judea (called the Negev) was left void of any military presence. It was the perfect time for the Amalekites to attack.

Overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire: This was an act of revenge. Ziklag was known to be the home of David and his men. While the other cities in the Negev were simply plundered, Ziklag was completely ransacked and burned to the ground.

They took captive...without killing anyone: When the Amalekites attacked, there was no one left in Ziklag to resist the invasion. David--never imagining a sudden invasion--had marched with his entire force into battle with Achish. The Amalekites did not kill any of their captives, which were women and children. The number of women and children probably was significant as we are told in 1 Samuel 27:3 that David's men brought their household with him into the Philistine territory. Women and children possessed a good market value and would be carried off and sold into slavery. Egypt was the most likely destination for the Amalekite's captives as Egypt was its neighbor.

There is a touch of irony in all this. David brought about this exact same calamity on other cities. In 1 Samuel 27:8-11, we read about David's time among the Philistines. David made his living as a bandit, robbing cities and "whenever David attacked the land, he left neither man nor woman alive." The Amalekites, it seems, were more merciful than David in sparing the women and children.


2. (1 Sam 30:3-6) David and his men come upon the empty, burned-down city
When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. Now David's two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

When David and his men came to the city: As they came within a few miles of the city, the hearts of David and his men must have brightened. As soldiers, they had been discouraged they had not been allowed to fight with the Philistines. But, they knew that they were coming home. Home meant family and familiar surroundings. But, that bright thought quickly turned to pain and grief.

It was burned with fire: Even off in the distance, David and his men saw that something was wrong. The smoke rising from their city was not the smoke of cooking fires. No, the smoke was much too black. Perhaps, they wondered why no one had come to greet them afar off as they came near the city. Where were their wives and children? But, when they came to the city and saw it was a pile of rubble with no voice of any any survivor, it seemed that everything was lost.

For all the people were embittered: David's men's great sorrow turns from grief to rage. David was the one they felt responsible for the situation. David was their leader; David left the city unguarded as he followed Achish into battle. David now finds himself on the verge of being stoned and without a friend in the world.

All was lost. At this point, David had no one to support him. No one in Israel could help him. The Philistines did not want him. His family was gone. All he owned was gone. Every support was gone except the LORD.

David strengthened himself in the LORD: As dire as the future looked for David, he did what a man after God's own heart should do--he sought the LORD. It is easy for us to seek comfort in the company of our family and friends. But, when we encounter turbulent times, we should always seek the LORD. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path."

How did David strengthen himself in the LORD? At this time of total loss, David now saw the love of the LORD in the rejection of the Philistines. If God had not sent him back home, it would have been months and months before he would have returned to Ziklag, and the situation would have been far worse. This was a precious expression of God's love.

David could remember God's past deliverances. He could say, "This is a terrible place to be. But, I remember all the times God delivered me from my enemies. It God did it before, He will do it again."


B. David wins back what was lost and more

1. (1 Sam 30:7-8) David inquires of the LORD
Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Please bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them" And He said to him, "Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all."

David inquired of the LORD: In 1 Samuel 30:6, we read that David strengthened himself in the LORD. Now it was time to do something with that strength from the LORD. All the time David spent among the Philistines, we never read of him seeking God in anyway. It seems when David left Israel, he also left behind his relationship with the LORD.

Please bring me the ephod: David sought God with the help of the priest, Abiathar. An ephod was a special apron that priests wore to cover their clothing. It is likely that this was not just any ephod. This was the ephod of the high priest, which had the breastplate of judgment attached to it (Exodus 28:15). The breastplate had in it a pouch with two stones known as the Urim and Thummin (Exodus 28:30). When David inquired of the LORD, it is most likely that he asked Abiathar to use the Urim and Thummin.

Shall I pursue this band: At one time, David would have not bothered to even ask these questions. He would simply do what it because when a soldier is attacked, he attacks back. But in returning from his backsliding, David brings everything before the LORD. Nothing is done without consulting God.

He said to Him: In some instances, God answers slowly. However, this situation required great haste for David and his men. God at once gives David an answer to his inquiry. So gracious is our God that he considers even the degree of our necessities and accommodates us accordingly.

Pursue, for you will surely overtake them: God gave David something to do ("pursue"). Then, God gave David a promise ("you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all"). When God gives us something to do, He also gives us a promise.


2. (1 Sam 30:9-10) David pursues the Amalekites who conquered Ziklag
So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those left behind remained. But David pursued, he and four hundred men, for two hundred men who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor remained behind.

So David went: Immediately on receiving the answer of the LORD, David started his rapid pursuit. God told David to "pursue", and David did exactly that. Obedience to the LORD is often that simple.

He and the six hundred men who were with him: David's men were almost at a place of mutiny against him ("the people spoke of stoning him" 1 Samuel 30:6). But now since "he strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6), since he "inquired of the LORD" (1 Samuel 30:8) and since he did what God told him to do, David's men are back on his side again.

Seeing David leading his six hundred men must have been a magnificent sight. Instead of the men hoping to align themselves with the Philistines and fight against their own people, now David and his men were on a mission from God. When one is walking in God's will, there is not an army on earth which can defeat you.

The brook Besor: The Hebrew word is nachal which means a ravine with a stream at the bottom. The brook Besor is mentioned here only and has not been identified with any certainty.

Two hundred men who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor remained behind: This might have discouraged David that one third of his men could not continue. But, David did not let this stop him. Instead, he allowed the one third to stay behind guarding the supplies and lightening the load of the other 400 men. David continued being full of faith in the LORD.

Although David and his men were setting out to battle a very large Amalekite army, God reduced David's army. Often, when we are in pursuit of fulfilling God's will, God takes away the little bit of strength we have and dwindles it down to almost nothing. It is only with God's strength can we fight our battles and defeat our enemies. When we rely on our own strength and power, we can easily claim the victory as our own. But, when God places us in overwhelming odds and delivers us, it is much easier to see what God has done for us.


3. (1 Sam 30:11-15) David and his men befriend a helpless Egyptian
Now they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David, and gave him bread and he ate, and they provided him water to drink. They gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. David said to him, "To whom do you belong? And where are you from?" And he said, "I am a young man of Egypt, a servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind when I fell sick three days ago. We made a raid on the Negev of the Cherethites, and on that which belongs to Judah, and on the Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire." Then David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this band?" And he said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this band."

They found an Egyptian in the field: As David and his men pursued the Amalekites, they came across a collapsed man in the wilderness. It would have been easy and logical to ignore this slave because David and his men had a much greater mission in pursuing the Amalekites. But David showed kindness and compassion to this slave by offering him food and drink. For their compassion, God soon rewards David and his men with an unexpected blessing.

An Egyptian: The Amalekites were a nomadic people. Their wanderings would have taken them to the frontiers of Egypt. Hence, there was a great probability that in one of their raids, they had acquired Egyptians as slaves.

Three days and three nights: This is a significant amount of time in which the Amalekites had a lead on David. It seems the Amalekites were very swift and quick in their plunderings. The cruelty of the Amalekites to their slaves was the cause of their ultimate dislike among the surrounding nations. Thankfully, through the Amalekites neglect of this slave, David and his men were able to obtain valuable information. The cruelty of the Amalekites set the stage for this Egyptian slave to be willing to give up his master's position in hopes of trading his essential information for his own freedom.

We made a raid: The Egyptian gives David a vivid description and scope of the invasions the Amalekites made on the surrounding lands and ultimately ending with the complete destruction of the city of Ziklag.

The Cherethites: These were a Philistine people dwelling in the south along the sea coast. Some have suppsed that the name "Crethites" which represents the Hebrew more accurately, came originally from the island of Crete. Capthor is identified with the home of the Philistines (Amos 9:7) and may have been identical with the island of Crete.

Swear to me by God: The Hebrew here for God is elohim which simply means "gods" and was commonly used among the pagans.

I will bring you down to this band: The Egyptian's accurate knowledge of the route taken by the Amalekites and his clear account of the raids shows that this Egyptian was a person of no ordinary abilities. He most likely was a merchant or trader who knew the land well and was captured in some border feud.

1 Samuel Chapter 29

THE PHILISTINES REJECT DAVID

A. The Philistine rulers object to David's presence among the Philistine army
1. (1 Sam 29:1-3) Achish defends David before the Philistine leaders
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek, while the Israelites were camping by the spring which is in Jezreel. And the lords of the Philistines were proceeding on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were proceeding on in the rear with Achish. Then the commanders of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, "Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?"

Now the Philistines: The narrative of 1 Samuel 28:1-2 is resumes with a further description of the armies before the battle.

Aphek: The name Aphek was a common one and was given to several places in Israel. It signifies a fort of a stronghold. This Aphek was most likely situated in the Plain of Jezreel, perhaps in the neighborhood of En-dor.

The spring which is in Jezreel: This was probably the present-day Ain-Jalud, which translates as the Fountain of Goliath. It was traditionally regarded as the scene of David and Goliath's famous battle. It is located less than two miles southeast of Zerin. It is a very large fountain, flowing out from a cavern, which forms the base of Mount Gilboa. It spreads out into a pool about 40-50 feet in diameter. A stream large enough to turn a mill flows eastward down the valley.

And the lords of the Philistines were proceeding on by: The orderly advance of this great military nation is described. The word "lords" is a different term used than the word "princes". There were five princes who ruled over Philistia. Achish was the prince over Gath. Beneath the princes were other chieftains (i.e., "lords") who has great control over the princes.

David and his men: David, in return for Ziklag and the surrounding land given to him by the prince of Gath, seems to have owed military service to Achish. Besides David's notable appearance, the rest of David's men were probably easily recognizable due to their different military attire and weaponry.

David is among the Philistines because when he was discouraged, he left the people of God and the land of Israel, and he cast his lot with the Philistines instead (1 Samuel 27). David now finds himself in a place he should never have been--among the ungodly and ready to fight against God and His people.

What are these Hebrews doing here: The Philistine leaders could see what David was blind to. David started to think and act like a Philistine, and he was ready to fight with them against the people of God. But, the Philistine leaders could see that this was not right, even when David could not see it. The Philistine leaders knew who David really was. He was a Hebrew and part of God's people. David seems to have forgotten this, but the Philistine leaders knew this well. David would have never slipped into this sinful place if he had remembered who he was and the destiny God promised him.

These days or rather these years: This expression used is one which emphasizes the length of time David and his men have been with Achish. Achish was stressing the length of time David and his men's long standing relationship with Achish, which was conducted with the utmost fidelity to Achish.

I have found no fault in him: It is a sad thing to have a Philistine ruler defend David so confidently. David identified himself so much with the ungodly that Achish knew he had David in his pocket. Hearing these words from Achish should have grieved David. To hear a pagan leader say, "David has been with me" and "I have found no fault in him" and "he deserted to me" should have been a wake-up call to David. It is as if a non-believing coworker insisted to others that you were not a Christian because they saw how you lived your life in a godless fashion.

Moreover, it is important to note that Achish was not making this up and had reason to believe David would fight with him. David said as much in 1 Samuel 28:1-2, "Now it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, 'Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.' David said to Achish, "Very well, you shall know what your servant can do." So Achish said to David, 'Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.'"


2. (1 Sam 29:4-5) The Philistine leaders reject David
But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him, and the commanders of the Philistines said to him, "Make the man go back, that he may return to his place where you have assigned him, and do not let him go down to battle with us, or in battle he may become an adversary to us. For with what could this man make himself acceptable to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of these men? Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"

Would it not be with the heads of these lords: That is, of the Philistines. The Philistine commanders reasoned wisely that David and his men would turn in battle against the Philistines. It is highly likely that it was God suggesting these thoughts into the Philistine commanders' minds. For by these means, David and his men were delivered from a great strait into which David had lead his men. There was no way out for David if the expedition would have continued. Either he would have had to fight against his own people or he would have had to break his alliance with the Philistines and ultimately kill the Philistines. By the same Providential incident, David was sent back in time to recover his wives and the wives and children of his men from the Amelekites, which would have been irrevocably lost had David gone to battle with the Philistines. Despite David's bad decisions, God delivers David from much harm.

Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances: The faith-filled victory over Goliath seems like a distant memory for the back-slidden David. But, the Philistines remember this well. The song of David's victories came back to haunt him.


B. David heads back to Ziklag

1. (1 Sam 29:6-7) Achish tells David to go home
Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army are pleasing in my sight; for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords. Now therefore return and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines."

As the LORD lives: This seems a strange oath for an idolatrous prince to make use of, but it may have been the equivalent of the real oath of Achish. Another theory is Achish may have used the traditional oath formula of the Israelites to appeal to David, whom Achish looked upon to have been falsely injured by the Philistine lords.

Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords: David thought he could not be happy or at peace in the land of Israel (1 Samuel 27:1). Now, he finds that his Philistine friends will not accept him either. David, it seems, has no home. He is trying to live in both worlds, but ultimately, he has found no home or peace in either place.

No doubt, the Philistine rejection greatly stung David's pride. Not many people like rejection. But, God would use this rejection of the ungodly in David's life. Many people are hesitant to live openly for Christ Jesus because they are afraid of the rejection of the ungodly. How much better would it be to live our lives completely for the LORD, and to trust that if the ungoldy reject us, God will use it for good. In many ways, David was in the worse place for any believer in God. He had too much of the world in him to be at peace with God, and he had too much of the LORD in him to be at peace with the world. God spoke to David through this; David had to open his ears and hear God's message.


2. (1 Sam 29:8-10) David appeals to Achish
David said to Achish, "But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" But Achish replied to David, "I know that you are pleasing in my sight, like an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He must not go up with us to the battle.' Now then arise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you, and as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart."

David said to Achish, "But what have I done?": David's words seem to have a falseness to them, and again, David lies to Achish. It has been suggested that David deliberately aroused suspicion among the Philistine leaders in order to bring about his dismissal from the Philistine army. David needed to keep his loyalty act up in order to continue living in the Philistine city of Ziklag. However, David could not fight with the Philistines and kill his own people.

Like an angel of God: Again, this is a simile Achish may have borrowed from Hebrew thought in order to be courteous and respectful to David.


3. (1 Sam 29:11) David returns to Ziklag, and the Philistine army prepares to meet Saul
So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

To return to the land of the Philistines: No doubt, David and his men rejoiced at their escaping the terrible alternative of either turning traitors to the kindly man who had so hospitably received them in their distress, or of appearing in arms with the Philistines when they came into battle with Saul and the Israelites.