I SAMUEL 30 lesson # 30
EXTRA STRESS / COMING HOME
I. Introduction:
A. Setting the Scene From Chapter 29.
Note: David and his men have just been rejected from being in the ranks of the Philistine army, which was on its way to fight with Israel. It seems David was caught between a rock and a hard place because, if he did not fight against Israel then the Philistines might have attacked him and if he fought with the Philistines then he would have alienated his own people and his chance of being king over Israel. It seems God was gracious in getting him dismissed by the Philistine Lords, who did not trust him. He was soon to realize that “grace” and God’s “sovereignty” were greater than he yet knew. However, he was to encounter more stress and more sorrow before he saw this to be the case. God’s grace to His greatest servants is not a ticket to easy street.
II. The Story Opens. I Samuel 30:1-6
A. Arriving Home To Disaster: Coming Home to Ziklag. I Samuel 30:1-6.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:1-5.
Q What happened to their home town while they were gone?
An = They had been fortunate to live on the edge of Philistine territory, so they could operate without the Philistines knowing what they were doing, but now they were paying the horrible price of living on the outskirts. Their city was burned with fire and all their wives and children were gone. Davis (p. 168) reminds us that though they were not killed they were bound for concubinage and cruel servitude, a live of misery.
Q Does this seem like too much to bear after all the suffering and misery that David has endured?
Q Do you know someone like this: someone who seems loyal to God but who has suffered trail after trail?
An = The Bible does not tell that if we follow Him all will go smooth.
>>>> Have someone read Luke 9:23. The Bible is honest. To follow God will be very difficult for some. God does not lie. Sometimes the Christian world does not tell us all the truth, but the Bible does: “In this world you will have tribulations”, (Davis, p. 170).
B. The Crisis Deepens, Then Prayer. I Samuel 30:6.
Q Have you ever been “turned-upon” while in a leadership position?
An = Have them share if they will. This is a common thing when leading people through difficult times (See Exodus 17:4). The people get frustrated and they will often grieve and then look for someone to blame. We do the same thing. It is just more obvious to us when we are the leader and the one who is turned on.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:6.
Q What did David do when he was facing possible death at the hands of his own men?
An = He turned to God. This is the same thing Moses did when he was in a similar situation in Exodus 17:4. David found strength in the going to the Lord his God. If we merely believe in correct doctrine, but He is not our God, we are not able to draw strength from Him.
Note: Brueggemann (p. 201) points out that the word for “greatly distressed” is the exact same word used of Saul in chapter 28:15 who was also “greatly distressed”. David is heard and Saul finds the heavens closed (so he forces his way to an answer and gets condemned).
Q What is the difference between David and Saul?
An = Both men are religious, though Saul the moreso. David was not perfect either, as we have so clearly seen. However, the two men have different types of relationships to God. God honors one and not the other.
C. Seeking Guidance from God: Preparation For Battle. I Samuel 30:7-8.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:7-8.
Q How does David seek the guidance from the Lord?
An = Through the priest. Notice that David asks specific questions of God. Notice that he does not ask God to do all his work, but he wants guidance as to whether such work will be successful and should be attempted. We do not have access to Abiathar today, but we have something better: Look up Hebrews 4:14 and have it read.
Note: This is the first time David has sought the Lord, since he left Israelite territory (left the church). God has protected him, but now he actively speaks to God.
Q Have there been occasions, when because of rough times, you have stopped talking to God?
An = The Bible understands.
III. Retrieving The Lost. I Samuel 30:9-25.
A. The Pursuit. I Samuel 30:9-15.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:9-10.
Q What is happening here?
An = The forces are being split. It seems odd that this is told. It takes up two whole verses, but later you will see the wisdom of your author in mentioning it.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:11-15.
Q Why is this story here?
An = The author is showing us with this little story that God’s Sovereignty (His ability to rule the world) is displayed in marvelously simple ways. It is quite unlikely that David even knew who had attacked him and certainly not how to find them in the desert. God guided them by the help of this “discarded property”. Without this finding of the Egyptian there is a good chance that David would not have found his wives, and the wives and children of his men in time.
Note: This Egyptian man’s experience is an example of how the world will treat people. If they seem useless then they are discarded. This will be contrasted to David’s treatment of the exhausted men left at the crossing of the Besor brook. Slowly our author will show how he is putting his chapter together. Perhaps seeking guidance from God again has opened David’s heart again to the wisdom of what it really means to be a biblical leader.
B. The Battle: Complete Victory. I Samuel 30:16-20.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:16-20.
Q How many verses are used to describe the actual battle?
An = Really only one: 30:17. They were taken by surprise because they were practicing “excessive self-indulgence” (compare if time allows with Exodus 32:6) (Brueggemann, p. 203). The real interest of the author is on finding what was lost. They not only recovered their lost families and possessions but much more besides.
Note: David gains or acquires wealth in 30:20. This will become important.
C. Dealing With The Baggage Keepers: Contrast With The Amalekites. I Samuel 30:21-25.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:21-25.
Q How many verses are used to describe this issue, as compared to describing the details of the actual battle?
An = Actually seven, (if you count both 30:9-10 and 30: 21-25) compared to only one to describe the actual battle: 30:17. This is obviously more important to the author. Remember now that David has previously opened the doors to communication with God and now he demonstrates a direct contrast between himself and the Amalekite master of the discarded Egyptian.
Q Does the church believe and act like David or like the Amalekite master?
An = When we are like our master and following our Lord we are like David. We take delight in serving those who are too exhausted. We treat those we meet on the way who are discarded and feed them. Notice, it is in this way that God will bless us and guide us to our own prosperity and success.
Q Who are the 200 Besor Brook folks in our lives, in our group or in our church?
Q If we treat them well will God bless us, according to this chapter?
Note: It is good leadership that insists on treating the 200 Besor men well. It will not be easy, as there will always be those who evaluate folks only on their productivity. Notice how David argues with the “wicked element” to lead his people to a higher way.
He is warm and calls them “my brothers” (30:23).
He then uses logical argument (God gave us this victory: 30:23).
He follows with incredulity or rhetorical flare: “Who will listen to you about this matter” (30:24)
Finally, David uses authority and speaks decisively and firmly (30:24).
(See Davis p. 175).
Note: Davis (p. 176) goes on to point out that when we become “evil men” or “trouble makers” is when we forget grace. When we forget who gave us all we have, we get into a “works” mode that denies what our faith and fellowship is all about. Everyone of us in this room was saved by the actions of God’s grace. It is easy to forget all the help the priest or the “Egyptian” gave us and think our righteousness is our own.
IV. Conclusion: Giving Gifts.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 30:26-31.
Note: David gives credit to God in the only speech in this section.
Note: Note also that David is generous and shares with those who were no doubt plundered by the Amalekites.
Note: Also, David is no fool. He is making friends for the future. He will later be first recognized as king from among these very people in chapter 2 of II Samuel. David is a different type of leader that gives instead of always taking (Brueggemann, p. 206).
Note: I love what Davis says about this chapter, it “covers a lot of turf. It begins in tragedy and ends in triumph. Yahweh has a way of doing that.” (p. 179).