1 Samuel 30:9
So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind
So David and his six hundred men
David, the anointed future king of Israel, is leading a group of six hundred men. These men are often referred to as David's "mighty men" or his loyal followers, who have been with him through various trials and battles. This group represents a small but formidable force, highlighting David's leadership and the loyalty he commands. The number six hundred is significant, as it indicates a complete and organized military unit. This group of men had been with David during his time of fleeing from King Saul, showing their dedication and trust in his leadership.

went to the Brook of Besor
The Brook of Besor is a geographical location in the southern part of Judah, near the Negev desert. It served as a natural boundary and a place of rest and refreshment. The brook would have provided necessary water for David and his men, as well as their animals. This location is significant as it marks a point of decision and division among David's men. The journey to the Brook of Besor is part of David's pursuit of the Amalekites, who had raided Ziklag, David's temporary home, and taken captives. The brook symbolizes a place of testing and separation, as not all of David's men would continue beyond this point.

where some stayed behind
At the Brook of Besor, some of David's men were too exhausted to continue the pursuit of the Amalekites. This detail highlights the human limitations and the physical toll of constant warfare and travel. The decision for some to stay behind was practical, allowing the rest to move more swiftly. This moment also sets the stage for a later lesson in fairness and sharing the spoils of victory, as David would later insist that those who stayed behind would share equally in the plunder with those who fought. This principle of equitable distribution reflects a just and compassionate leadership style, foreshadowing the kind of king David would become.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed future king of Israel, known for his leadership and reliance on God. At this point, he is leading his men in pursuit of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag.

2. The Six Hundred Men
These are David's loyal followers, warriors who have been with him through various trials and battles. They represent a community of faith and support.

3. The Brook of Besor
A geographical location that serves as a point of rest and division for David's men. It symbolizes a place of decision and testing.

4. The Amalekites
A nomadic tribe that had attacked Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the city. They are often seen as enemies of Israel throughout the Old Testament.

5. Ziklag
A city given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was attacked and burned by the Amalekites, prompting David's pursuit.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Decision-Making
David's leadership is marked by decisiveness and reliance on God. In our lives, we should seek God's guidance in our decisions, especially in times of crisis.

Community and Support
The six hundred men represent the importance of community. We are called to support one another in our spiritual journeys, recognizing that some may need to rest while others continue the fight.

Rest and Renewal
The Brook of Besor symbolizes a place of rest. It is crucial to recognize when we need to pause and renew our strength, trusting that God will provide for us and our community.

Perseverance in Trials
Despite exhaustion, David and his men continue their pursuit. We are encouraged to persevere in our spiritual battles, knowing that God is with us.

Trust in God's Provision
The division of the men at the Brook of Besor shows that God can work through both those who continue and those who stay behind. Trust in God's provision and plan for each person.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's leadership in this passage reflect his trust in God, and how can we apply this to our own leadership roles?

2. What does the Brook of Besor teach us about the importance of rest and renewal in our spiritual lives?

3. In what ways can we support our community of faith, especially when some members are weary or unable to continue?

4. How does the account of David's pursuit of the Amalekites encourage us to persevere in our own spiritual battles?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's provision despite limited resources or strength. How did this experience strengthen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 30:10
This verse continues the account, showing that two hundred men stayed behind at the Brook of Besor due to exhaustion, highlighting the theme of human limitation and divine provision.

Psalm 23
David's reliance on God as his shepherd is evident in his leadership and decision-making, reflecting the trust and guidance he seeks from the Lord.

Exodus 17:8-16
The Amalekites' attack on Israel during the Exodus parallels their continued opposition to God's people, emphasizing the ongoing spiritual battle.

Galatians 6:9
The encouragement not to grow weary in doing good connects to the perseverance required by David and his men in their pursuit.
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
Behind, Besor, Brook, David, Hundred, Ravine, Six, Stayed, Stood, Stream, Torrent
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

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