Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered (bitter in soul), each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (verse 6)
Message: David Rescues the People of Ziklag
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: As I look at this chapter today verse by verse:
1 David - To Ziklag - 3rd Day - prior to arriving Amalekites have raided Ziklag; burned it with fire
2 Women and all captive; not killed
3 City burned with fire
4 David and all wept
5 People distressed and want to stone David
6 David distressed => David strengthened himself in the Lord
7 David request from Abiathar an ephod
8 To God, "Shall I pursue? Shall I overtake?" He said, "You, you shall rescue."
9 David went with 600 men
10 200 fell off exhausted, 400 remain
11 Found Egyptian, gave him water, bread, to eat
12 Gave him fig cake, raisins, and ate; nothing to eat last 3 days
13 Egyptian, servant of an Amalekite, left behind
14 We raided and buried Ziklag
15 Egyptian says, "Swear to me I am not killed and I will bring you to them."
16 Eating and drinking because of the great spoil (a pilgrim feast)
17 David slaughtered all; 400 men escaped
18 David recovered all taken, including his wives
19 All thought loss had been returned
20 All captured, "This is David's spoil."
21 David greeted the 200 exhausted men
22 The men who went did not want to give any spoil to the 200 exhausted men
23 David said not so
24 A share is given to those who stay and those who go
25 Thus a statute and ordinance to this day
26 David gave gifts of the spoil to the elders of Judah
27 to those in Bethel, Ramoth, and Jattir
28 to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa
29 to those in Racal, the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites
30 to those in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, and in Athach
31 to those in Hebron and all places David and his men were accustomed to go.
Returning to Ziklag, David is distressed as the city has been raided. He had been away with Achish adn the Philistines fighting, but the Amalekites come in and ravish the land he was living in Ziklag. The people are so angry at David they think bad things are happening because of him.
We are like this so often. We are so quick to blame anything and everyone when things go bad. Bad things happen sometime, but we feel justified I suppose in blaming others. But David does what David does and in verse 6 it says He strengthened himself in the Lord. When all was a mess around him, he strengthened himself in the Lord. This is a time of remembering all that the Lord has done for you up to that point. You are not bitter. Your faith remains in the Lord. God has provided in the past in His time and He will provide in the future in His time and His way.
He shall take 600 men to rescue Ziklag. 400 go, 200 exhausted. David slaughtered all the Amalekites. Going back with the spoil, he gave 200 to exhausted men, but those fighting did not like that, but David said all received the reward, not only those that go. And 13 places are mentioned that received the gifts of the spoil.
David makes it clear that all enjoy the benefits of the fight and all are involved, not only those that go. All share.
When I get paid every other week the entire household enjoys the benefit of the money I receive, not only me and I give to those that have a need as God leads me. And in hard times we first trust in the Lord, rather than looking for a reason to blame others. Bad things happen. As people of God, we trust God.
Summary: David returns home to a raided Ziklag at the hands of the Amalekites. He takes men and slaughters these foes and returns home and all receive the gift of the spoil from the fighting.
Promise: We turn to God and receive our strength from him remembering His provision.
Prayer: Lord, may I find my strength in You. Help me to not get bitter. I know it happens. I play the blame game and I should simply know and realize that bad things happen at times and in those times I am to find my strength in You God. As you lead and as victories come in my life, remind me to share in those spoils, to not be selfish thinking I am the only one that receives the reward. The reward is for everyone for God you have given the victory.
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