◄ 1 Samuel 30:8 ►
and David inquired of the LORD: "Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," the LORD replied, "for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives."
Study Bible
and David inquired of the LORD:
David's practice of seeking God's guidance is a recurring theme in his life, demonstrating his reliance on divine wisdom rather than his own understanding. This inquiry likely involved the use of the ephod, a priestly garment associated with seeking God's will (1 Samuel 23:9-12). It reflects the importance of prayer and seeking God's direction in times of crisis, a principle echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Should I pursue these raiders?
The raiders in question were the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that frequently attacked Israel (Exodus 17:8-16). David's question shows his desire for divine approval before taking action, highlighting the biblical principle of seeking God's will before making decisions. The Amalekites' attack on Ziklag, David's temporary home, was a significant threat, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.

Will I overtake them?”
David's concern was not only about pursuing the raiders but also about the success of the pursuit. This reflects a common biblical theme of seeking assurance of victory from God, as seen in Gideon's story (Judges 6:36-40). It underscores the belief that success in endeavors, especially those involving conflict, depends on God's blessing.

“Pursue them,” the LORD replied,
God's direct response to David's inquiry shows His willingness to guide those who seek Him. This assurance would have been a great encouragement to David, reinforcing the idea that God is actively involved in the lives of His people. It also demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over the events of history, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible.

“for you will surely overtake them
The certainty of God's promise to David is emphasized here. This assurance of victory is reminiscent of God's promises to other leaders in Israel's history, such as Joshua (Joshua 1:5-9). It highlights the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises and the importance of trusting in His word.

and rescue the captives.”
The promise of rescuing the captives points to God's concern for the oppressed and His power to deliver. This act of deliverance can be seen as a type of Christ's redemptive work, where He rescues humanity from the captivity of sin (Luke 4:18). It also reflects the biblical theme of restoration and God's ability to bring good out of dire situations, as seen in the story of Joseph (Genesis 50:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed king of Israel, who at this time was leading his men while on the run from King Saul. He is known for his deep relationship with God and reliance on divine guidance.

2. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the ultimate authority and guide for David. His response to David's inquiry is direct and reassuring.

3. The Raiding Party
Refers to the Amalekites who had attacked and burned Ziklag, taking the women and children captive, including David's own family.

4. Ziklag
A Philistine town given to David by Achish, the king of Gath, where David and his men had been residing. It was attacked and burned by the Amalekites.

5. The Captives
The families of David and his men, who were taken by the Amalekites during their raid on Ziklag.
Teaching Points
Seeking Divine Guidance
David's inquiry of the LORD highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis. Believers are encouraged to turn to God in prayer and seek His will in their decisions.

Trust in God's Promises
The LORD's response to David assures him of success. This teaches us to trust in God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them.

Courage to Act
Once David received God's direction, he acted with confidence. Believers should be encouraged to move forward with courage when they have sought and received God's guidance.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
The situation at Ziklag reminds us that God is sovereign even in difficult circumstances. He can turn trials into opportunities for deliverance and growth.

Community and Leadership
David's leadership in seeking God's will and leading his men into action serves as a model for Christian leadership, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment and communal responsibility.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's approach to seeking God's guidance in 1 Samuel 30:8 challenge or affirm your current practice of decision-making?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of trusting in God's promises in your personal life, especially during challenging times?

3. Reflect on a time when you acted with courage after seeking God's guidance. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

4. How can the account of Ziklag encourage you to view trials as opportunities for God's deliverance and growth in your life?

5. What lessons can you learn from David's leadership in this passage that can be applied to your role in your community or family?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 23:2-4
David's practice of inquiring of the LORD is consistent throughout his life, showing his dependence on God's guidance.

Psalm 37:5
Encourages believers to commit their way to the LORD, trusting in Him to act, which parallels David's reliance on God for direction.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Advises trusting in the LORD with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding, which David exemplifies by seeking God's counsel.
Sermons
Confidence in GodB. Dale 1 Samuel 30:1-10
David in Three SituationsC. Bradley, M. A.1 Samuel 30:1-31
People
Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, Nabal
Places
Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, Ziklag
Topics
Able, Asketh, Assuredly, Band, Certainly, David, Deliver, Fail, Inquired, Overtake, Party, Pursue, Questioning, Raiding, Recover, Rescue, Saying, Succeed, Surely, Troop
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 30:8

     8648   enquiring of God

1 Samuel 30:7-8

     8129   guidance, examples

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 Scripture

The 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 30:8 NIV
1 Samuel 30:8 NLT
1 Samuel 30:8 ESV
1 Samuel 30:8 NASB
1 Samuel 30:8 KJV

1 Samuel 30:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Samuel 30:7
Top of Page
Top of Page