Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat-- Now his men found an Egyptian in the fieldThis phrase highlights the providential encounter between David's men and an Egyptian. The presence of an Egyptian in the field suggests a connection to the Amalekites, who had raided Ziklag. Egyptians were often employed as mercenaries or slaves by various groups, including the Amalekites. This encounter is significant as it sets the stage for David's pursuit of the Amalekites. The field represents a place of divine appointment, where God orchestrates events for His purposes. and brought him to David
The act of bringing the Egyptian to David demonstrates the loyalty and initiative of David's men. It also reflects the leadership qualities of David, who was approachable and wise in dealing with unexpected situations. This action is reminiscent of how God often brings people into our lives for a purpose, aligning with the biblical theme of divine guidance and provision. David's role as a leader foreshadows Christ, who draws people to Himself for redemption and restoration. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat—
Providing water and food to the Egyptian illustrates the principles of compassion and hospitality, which are deeply rooted in biblical teaching. This act of kindness is a reflection of the character of God, who cares for all people, regardless of their background. It also serves as a practical demonstration of the command to love one's neighbor. In a broader sense, this provision can be seen as a type of Christ, who offers the living water and the bread of life to all who come to Him. The nourishment given to the Egyptian revives him, enabling him to provide crucial information to David, thus advancing God's plan for David's victory over the Amalekites. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed future king of Israel, who is leading his men in pursuit of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag. 2. David's MenLoyal followers of David, who are with him during this time of distress and pursuit. 3. Egyptian ServantA young man found in the field, abandoned by his Amalekite master, who becomes a key figure in David's pursuit. 4. FieldThe location where David's men find the Egyptian, symbolizing a place of divine encounter and provision. 5. ZiklagThe town given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was raided and burned by the Amalekites. Teaching Points Compassion in ActionDavid's men provide for the Egyptian's immediate needs, demonstrating the importance of showing mercy and compassion to those in distress. Divine ProvidenceThe encounter with the Egyptian servant is a reminder of God's provision and guidance in unexpected ways. The Role of the OutsiderThe Egyptian, an outsider and enemy, becomes instrumental in David's mission, highlighting how God can use anyone for His purposes. Restoration and RedemptionThe act of feeding and caring for the Egyptian reflects the broader biblical theme of restoration and redemption. Obedience and TrustDavid's willingness to help the Egyptian, despite the risk, shows trust in God's plan and obedience to His call to love others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's treatment of the Egyptian reflect the biblical principle of loving your neighbor, and how can we apply this in our daily lives? 2. In what ways does this passage demonstrate God's providence, and how can we be more aware of His guidance in our own circumstances? 3. How does the role of the Egyptian servant challenge our perceptions of who God can use to fulfill His purposes? 4. What are some practical ways we can show compassion to those who are "outsiders" in our communities? 5. How does this account encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when the path is uncertain or involves risk? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 45Joseph's encounter with his brothers in Egypt, where he provides for them despite their past betrayal, mirrors David's compassionate treatment of the Egyptian. Luke 10:25-37The Parable of the Good Samaritan, where a Samaritan helps a wounded man, parallels David's act of mercy towards the Egyptian. Matthew 25:35-40Jesus' teaching on serving "the least of these" connects to David's provision of food and water to the Egyptian. People Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, NabalPlaces Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, ZiklagTopics Ate, Bread, Cause, David, Drink, Eat, Eateth, Egyptian, Field, Fields, Meal, Open, ProvidedDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 30:11-12 4293 water
4404 food
4440 fig-tree
4450 fruit
4458 grape
8150 revival, personal 1 Samuel 30:11-16 7266 tribes of Israel Library At the Front or the Base
'As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.'--1 Samuel xxx. 24. David's city of Ziklag had been captured by the Amalekites, while he and all his men who could carry arms were absent, serving in the army of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. On their return they found ruin, their homes harried, their wives, children, and property carried off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit of the spoilers, who had had a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Secret of Courage
'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'--1 Samuel xxx. 6. David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's persistent hostility, to take refuge in the Philistines' country. He had gathered around himself a band of desperate men, and was living very much like a freebooter. He had found refuge in a little city of the Philistines, far down in the South, from which he and his men had marched as a contingent …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE themselves with a leader must share his fortunes. Six hundred men had quitted their abodes in Judaea; unable to endure the tyranny of Saul they had linked themselves with David, and made him to be a captain over them. They were, some of them, the best of men, and some of them were the worst: in this, resembling our congregations. Some of them were choice spirits, whom David would have sought, but others were undesirable persons, from whom he might gladly have been free. However, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 30:11 NIV1 Samuel 30:11 NLT1 Samuel 30:11 ESV1 Samuel 30:11 NASB1 Samuel 30:11 KJV
1 Samuel 30:11 Commentaries
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