1 Samuel 29:1-30:31

Working outline.

the great blessing of providence (29:1-11)

finding strength in the Lord (30:1-6)

showing mercy to a stranger (30:7-15)

justice against the Lord’s enemies (30:16-30)

the great blessing of providence (29:1-11)

The WSC asks, What are God’s works of providence? And answers, “God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving, and governing of all his creatures and all their actions” (11). Providence is a wonderful thing. It is the assurance that God takes control of all matters in our lives. As much as we muddy it up, God always has a plan in store for us.

The same is true about David here in this passage. If you remember, David was an outcast to his own people as Saul was trying to destroy him. Now, David is taking refuge with the Philistines through Achish the commander. 1 Samuel 28:1–2“In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.””

David found safety amongst the very people he sought to destroy years earlier. Even the commanders of the Philistine army recognizes who David was. In verse 5, they as, “It not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’” David’s renown stretched cross-culturally. Not only was he known for his great military prowess in conquering his enemies, but also for his love for the Lord. Even Achish recognizes this truth.

He says in verse 9, “I know that you are blameless in my sight as an angel of God.” Even though David has to retire as Achish’s bodyguard, he nonetheless made a significant impact upon Achish and those around him.

Should this not also be our demeanor around those whom God has called us to be around? If we reflect back on our lives, we see the ways in which God has shaped and molded us, like a potter shapes and molds clay into a beautiful vessel, and God has brought us to the place we are now to demonstrate our love for the Lord. Husbands and fathers, the Lord has placed you as head of the household to minister to your family. Soldiers, the Lord has placed you in your unit to be salt and light amongst unbelievers. You who are engineers, employees of businesses, medical workers, and so on have been placed in your job as a witness to the hope that is inside of you.

We have the great privilege of looking back and seeing what a great blessing providence is. Our lives are not meaningless, as the secular institution would have you believe. Our lives are full of meaning and purpose. Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Let us see the great blessing of providence and proclaim the name of the Lord all the days of our lives.

2. finding strength in the Lord (30:1-6).

David has now left the company of Achish, and after three days they come to the city of Ziklag. It would be close to walking from Heilbronn back to Böblingen. This was the territory where David was alloted by Achish in 1 Samuel 27:6 “So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.” Essentially, David journeyed back to his new homeland. However, the Amalekites take advantage of David’s absence and destroy the city, taking captive everyone, including David’s wives.

We can sympathize with David and his companion’s natural reaction. They begin weeping until no more strength is found in them. Sometimes we do not realize that it is okay to weep. Often our lives as Christians is wrought with trials, tribulations, and various persecutions. We weep and lament because we know this is not the order of how things ought to be. A lament is simply the language of suffering and asking questions to God. Hence, we can cry out like the Psalmist:

Psalm 77:1–2“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.”

Psalm 86:14–15“O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Or we cry out like Jesus Himself cried out unto God on the cross.

Psalm 22:1–2“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

It is the natural disposition of a child of the Triune God to cry out to their Father. And just as David cried out to the Lord, we also cry out to our God when faced with various struggles in our lives. For we know that God will surely rescue us in the days of our troubles.

Not only is David in lament from what had occurred in the safety of his homeland but also because of the reaction of the people. They were willing to stone David because of what had happened. David was distressed not only for losing his wives to the Amalekites but also because the people were bitter in their own soul.

Parents, how often do you receive the end of the rod of persecution as you are raising your children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength? How often does the world detest you for doing what is right? For being a leader in your household? Leaders often endure hardship on behalf of their people. A good leader takes the blows on behalf of their people.

Is this not true of our Lord? Our God came in the person and work of Jesus Christ and took upon himself the totality of sin on the cross. He did so as one who was completely blameless, no sin was found in him, yet he bore the wrath of God on our behalf. Is this not what Isaiah 53:4–5 tells us? “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

And so like David, Christ himself relied solely upon the Lord for his strength. Verse 6 ends that “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” If the Lord was sufficient for David, should not the Lord also be sufficient for us? Or better yet, if Christ himself knew that the Father was perfectly sufficient for him to endure the trials in the wilderness, in his earthly ministry, in the garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross, should we not also seek the Father when persecution comes our way?

The strength of the Lord enables us to endure. 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” We find strength in the Lord alone.

3. showing Christlike mercy (30:7-15)

David is now strengthened by the Lord and inquires of the priest, Abiathar, as to what should be done next. In a bit of contrast to 1 Samuel 28, David does not seek a medium, or necromancer, for answers. He does the right thing and seeks the Lord for guidance. [[Add bit on ephod via commentary]] The Lord answers and assures David that he will both overcome the Amalekites and rescue his people from their imprisonment. In this small section, David extends mercy to two different types of people.

A. Mercy to God’s people. The first, is that David shows mercy to some of his men. Remember, the people have traveled three days journey to arrive in their hometown of Ziklag. Many of us who have gone on vacation or holiday for an extended period of time have the feeling of longing to be back home. The comfort of our own bed, our house, and even reuniting with our family brings about a level of excitement. However, this return for David and his men was not as they anticipated. David’s 600 men is cut down to only 400. 200 of the group decided to stay behind.

Sometimes, we have to realize that this Christian life is a hard thing to bear. Often, our zeal pushes us beyond our normal limitations. Not that zeal is a bad thing, but we can become burned out and burdened. David, as the future king and military leader, recognizes that these 200 men have become entirely exhausted and need to sit out for a moment. Some of us have fought spiritual warfare above and beyond what is required of us. We have succumbed to many challenging blows and beatings. David resembles Christ in that he recognizes the feebleness of men, and their need for rest. Mercy is given to these men who have opted to stay behind.

B. Mercy to a foreigner. Not only does David extend mercy to his own people, the Lord’s people, but also to a foreigner. And not merely a foreigner, but an enemy. As they are traversing the terrain to free their families, David and his men come across an Egyptian. They show hospitality by providing for him. This poor Egyptian man was part of the Amalekites, the very group of people who sacked Ziklag. Not only that, but this man was an Egyptian. Certainly, the reminder of captivity was on the minds of those who realized this foreigner’s heritage.

We are not told of this man’s fate explicitly, but he tells David that as long as they do not kill him or give him back to his master, he will show them the way. Since David is shown where the raiding band is found, it is safe to assume that this man’s life was spared. He was an enemy of David and an enemy of God who was shown mercy.

This passage has so many strong Christ-focused themes in it. We are reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. The Samaritan, an enemy of Israel is the only one who shows true godly mercy. So also David, an enemy to the Egyptians and vice versa, shows mercy to this Egyptian man. And David had every right to inflict justice upon this man for his horrific crimes. Yet, is this not also what Jesus Christ does for us? God had every right to inflict judgment against sinners. He could have easily cast us into the depths of hell for all eternity where we would bear his wrath. However, Christ Himself, our Good Shepherd takes upon himself the wrath of God and extends unmerited grace and mercy upon us. How indebted we are to such a gracious God!

4. justice against the Lord’s enemies (30:16-31)

Even though David extends mercy to the Egyptian man who was part of the Amalekites, justice is still enacted on those who had taken the spoils of Ziklag. As these enemies of God were celebrating their great victory, David goes to battle. The text says that David and his army struck down the enemies for nearly 24 hours time. All of that which was taken was now back into the hands of David, including his wives. Only a small contingent of 400 men who were fortunate enough to escape on camels were freed from the carnage.

David returns the spoils back to those who had been left behind. A bit of tension arises from those who were part of the offensive. 1 Samuel 30:22 “Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.”” There is a bit of selfishness and covetousness for the possessions these men had fought for over giving it back. They wanted to spoils for themselves. However, David ensures the 200 weary men that they will receive what is due to them as well.

1 Samuel 30:23–25“But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.”

This is almost reminiscent of the parable of the workers in the vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16. The same wage is given to those who tend the vineyard from the start of the work day as those who receive it at the end of the workday. Some of the men were with David from start to finish. The others sat in the rear guard and protected the baggage. The warriors fought the battle, they endured, the suffered, and assumed they should be given all of the spoils. At the same time, there were those who were merely the recipients. Regardless, both are given the benefits.

So also were there some who followed Christ from the day he called them. The disciples wept with Jesus, ate with Jesus, and ministered with Jesus. They

At the end of the day, all that is given to us is the Lord’s. We are not worthy to have such possessions in the first place. David recognizes this and disperses the spoils accordingly. Even those who had stayed behind deserve the retribution from the enemies of God. It does not stop there, however. David ensures that the tribe of Judah is given the “spoil of the enemies of the Lord” (v. 26). Every place that David had roamed and found refuge was given a portion of the allotment.

This generous giving should embolden us to be givers of our own possessions. One of the great benefits of the church is its generosity. We recognize how we were given the true treasure of redemption and offer ourselves and our finances to the mission of the church.

So also, do we recognize that we are unworthy to obtain any riches for ourselves. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, everything we have in our house, in our bank account, in our retirement, is ultimately the Lord’s. We are to be good stewards of what we are given.

This passage gives us an insight on David’s kingship who ultimately points to Christ’s kingship over all things. David understood what it meant to find strength in the Lord. We also find strength in our Lord who has redeemed us from our sins and set us free from its bondage. David knew what it was like to extend mercy just as Christ extends mercy to us through the atonement. David knew true justice as well. He executed justice against his enemies by destroying them just as Christ will return and execute justice against his enemies. So also did David justly give the spoils back to his people whether they fought with him or remained behind. Christ himself also gives us all of the benefits of redemption from the greatest to the least. Whether we are mature in the faith or still new to it.

English Standard Version Chapter 30

Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” 23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us

Reminded of the parable of those who enter heaven last but receive the same reward