1 Samuel 30:1-31
30:1 David and his men return to their home, Ziklag and find that it has been invaded by the Amalekites. David has just been denied from joining the Philistine army, effectively ending his career as a commander in their military. The newest phase in his life begins within this turmoil.
30:2-3 The woman and children have been taken, the homes burned. Someone needs to rescue them; someone needs to rebuild a secure life for these people. The beauty of being a child and thus servant of God is that He prepares us for such blessed work. It does not matter if we cannot even build a mound with mud, if God appoints us for a purpose, we are made able.
30:4 The anguish and torment consumes the returned men. Their families have been taken and their lives destroyed. Grief drains them of their vigor, hope and joy.
30:5 David's own family has been taken. His wives, Ahinoam and Abigail have become property to the Amelekites (who obvious have little regard for life).
30:6 The people turn their grief into the form of anger. Their response is destructive. David has become known as their leader and they place the blame of the Amelekites' attack on him. It is easy to give into such negative energy but nothing ever results from it but more misery.
David has a healthier response: "But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God". David's response is constructive. Leaders carrier great responsibility but a great leader allows himself/herself to be led by God. A good leader is a follow of God. David's grief is as strong, if not stronger, than the people around him. David feels pain and loss as well as responsibility. Maybe even shame. In such moments we must do as David did, allow God to overwhelm what is overwhelming us. We must draw strength from Him when fear and pain try to draw our strength away.
30:7-8 David asks God for direction. It is on his mind to pursue the men who took the families but before he makes a move, David consults God. David is told by God to indeed pursue the men; he is also told that he will prevail and recovery every person. God is meticulous; everything He does is complete.
30:9-10 Four hundred men with David chase after the Amelekites. Two hundred of the men remain.
30:11-14 David and his men come across an Egyptian in the field. The man has been without food and drink for three days. Rather than simply interrogate or ignore him altogether, they feed him. David then asks the man who he is. The man explains that he is the servant of an Amalekite but was left behind after the invasion of Ziklag because of illness.
30:15 David and the man make a deal: he will lead David to the Amalekites in exchange for his life.
30:16-17 The man brings David and his men to the place where the Amelekites were and the find a celebration. The Amelekites are so drunk with their corrupt spoils that they render themselves defenseless. In such a way does God find much of the world upon His arrival, Matthew 24:36-50.
30:18-20 God enables David and his men to recover every thing and person taken. David's position as a respected leader is restored (humans are fickle, therefore it is fruitless to seek value from them rather than God) but David's faith in his Leader remains as steadfast in victory as it was in defeat. Thus the ultimate victory remains his.
30:21-22 David and his men return victorious. The men who were too upset to join in the rescue are immediately shunned. The "wicked and worthless men" of the group want to force these men to leave with their families and defect. Some of the men followed David out of thirst for blood. Some of the men could not follow David because their hearts were broken. God has greater sympathy for a compassionate coward than a brave but cruel person.
30:23-25 David is of similar mind: he explains that they will not deal out cruelty when God has provided kindness. For indeed God delivered the victory; without Him, they might not have recovered anything. David's own compassion and righteous leadership unify the group. Each person, he explains, have a valued part in their ability to stand and function.
30:26-30 Although he could have greedily kept his gains to himself, David shares. We are given to in order that we may give. We are children of the God of creation and proliferation. With His kindness, we are meant to make more.
