And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. And David was greatly distressedDavid's distress is understandable given the context. He had returned to Ziklag to find it burned and his family taken captive by the Amalekites. This moment of crisis highlights the vulnerability of even the most faithful servants of God. David's distress is not just personal but also communal, as he bears the weight of leadership and the responsibility for his men's families. This echoes the human experience of leaders throughout the Bible, such as Moses and Elijah, who also faced moments of deep distress. because the people spoke of stoning him
The threat of stoning reflects the severity of the situation. In ancient Israel, stoning was a common form of capital punishment for serious offenses (Leviticus 20:2, Deuteronomy 22:24). The people's anger and desperation are directed at David, whom they hold responsible for their loss. This mirrors other biblical instances where leaders are blamed for misfortunes, such as when the Israelites grumbled against Moses in the wilderness (Exodus 17:4). because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters
The grief of the men is profound, as they have lost their families to the Amalekite raid. This phrase underscores the deep emotional pain and sense of loss experienced by the people. The family unit was central to Israelite society, and the loss of children was particularly devastating. This grief is reminiscent of the sorrow expressed in other biblical narratives, such as the lamentations of Job (Job 1:18-19) and the mourning of Rachel for her children (Jeremiah 31:15). But David found strength in the LORD his God
In the midst of his distress, David turns to God for strength. This act of faith is a pivotal moment, demonstrating David's reliance on God rather than on his own abilities or the support of his men. It reflects a recurring biblical theme where true strength and encouragement are found in God alone (Psalm 18:1-2, Isaiah 40:31). David's response foreshadows the New Testament teaching of finding strength in Christ (Philippians 4:13). This reliance on God in times of trouble is a hallmark of David's life and leadership, setting an example for believers to seek divine strength in their own trials. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, who at this time was leading his men while fleeing from King Saul. He is the central figure in this passage, experiencing deep distress. 2. David's MenThese are the warriors who followed David. They were deeply grieved over the loss of their families and possessions, which led them to consider stoning David. 3. ZiklagThe town given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was attacked and burned by the Amalekites, leading to the distressing situation. 4. The AmalekitesA nomadic tribe that raided Ziklag, capturing the families of David and his men, which caused the crisis. 5. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, in whom David found strength and encouragement during his time of distress. Teaching Points Finding Strength in GodIn times of distress, believers are encouraged to seek strength and encouragement in the Lord, just as David did. Leadership Under PressureDavid's response to his men's anger teaches us about maintaining faith and composure under pressure. The Power of Prayer and WorshipDavid's ability to find strength in God suggests a life of prayer and worship, which can be a source of strength for believers today. Community and AccountabilityThe reaction of David's men highlights the importance of community and the need for leaders to be accountable and sensitive to the needs of those they lead. Trusting God's SovereigntyEven in dire situations, trusting in God's sovereignty and plan can provide peace and direction. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to distress in 1 Samuel 30:6 inspire you to handle your own challenges? 2. What are some practical ways you can "find strength in the LORD" in your daily life? 3. How does the reaction of David's men reflect the challenges of leadership, and what can we learn from David's response? 4. Can you identify a time when you felt overwhelmed and found strength in God? How did that experience shape your faith? 5. How do the additional scriptures (Psalm 18:1-2, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:31) deepen your understanding of finding strength in God? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 18:1-2David expresses his reliance on God as his strength and fortress, similar to how he finds strength in God in 1 Samuel 30:6. Philippians 4:13Paul speaks of finding strength in Christ, paralleling David's experience of finding strength in the Lord. Isaiah 40:31This verse speaks of those who wait on the Lord renewing their strength, akin to David's experience of finding strength in God. 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 Bitter, Daughters, David, Distress, Distressed, Embittered, Encouraged, Greatly, Grieved, Hearts, Moreover, Sons, Sorrowing, Soul, Spake, Spirit, Spoke, Stone, Stoning, Strength, Strengthen, Strengthened, Strong, Talking, TroubledDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 30:6 5557 stoning
5559 stress
5567 suffering, emotional
5799 bitterness
5929 resentment, against people
8416 encouragement, promises
8618 prayerfulness 1 Samuel 30:3-6 5835 disappointment 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 30:6 NIV1 Samuel 30:6 NLT1 Samuel 30:6 ESV1 Samuel 30:6 NASB1 Samuel 30:6 KJV
1 Samuel 30:6 Commentaries
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