1 Samuel 30-31

Observations and interpretations:

(1) Repeated phrases: David and the men who were with him wept loudly until they could weep no more v.4, David was very upset, for the men were thinking of stoning him v.6a, each man grieved bitterly v.6b. 

A. v.6 David was very upset, 大衛甚是焦急 for the men were thinking of stoning him; each man grieved bitterly over his sons and daughters. But David drew strength from the LORD his God.

B. upset=(BDB) be scant, cramped 焦急

The same word is used in 1 Samuel 28:15 我甚窘急about Saul. He was "troubled" for the Philistines were fighting against him and God did not answer him anymore. The difference between them was that " But David drew strength from the LORD his God" v.6. 

Reflection: 

Have you ever felt cramped or you felt there is pressure around you and within you? How did you react? Are we able to be like David to draw strength from God when we face difficult situations? 

David was able to do that because he could inquire with the LORD while Saul (due to his own fault) could not do that. How was our walk with God? Are we able to come before Him with no hindrance in our time of crisis? 

(2) When David inquired of the LORD for pursuing the raiding band the LORD said to him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them and carry out a rescue!” v.8. But how? There were great details given in this chapter.

10 David and 400 men continued the pursuit, but 200 men who were too exhausted to cross the Wadi Besor stayed there.

21b ...the 200 men who had been too exhausted to go with him...

What would you think if you were David at this point of time? How could this be done with only 2/3 of the military? 

11 Then they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David...

Immediately in the text, the author gave us the answer. This Egyptian was just "happened" to be the slave of the Amalekites and he was willing to act as the spy and led them to the raiding band v.12-15
Therefore, David recognized that their military success was totally due to God's help and insisted to share the loot they retrieved v.23-24. 

23b ...Look at what the LORD has given us! He has protected us and has delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.

Reflection: Even with the promise of God David encountered difficulty with only 2/3 of the army left. Have you ever found frustration in bringing up your kids in God's way? 

When David recognized his success was due to God's help he was willing to share. Do we? If yes, what action have we taken to share?

Audrey