Sunday Feb 04, 2024

King David at Ziklag • Friday Service at the RRC

Ziklag, a town on the southernmost boundary of Judea, is first mentioned in the Bible as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31). Ziklag was assigned to the tribe of Simeon within Judah (Joshua 19:5) but appears not to have been conquered by the Israelites before the time of David. Ziklag was still under Philistine control when Saul reigned as king.

For many years King Saul sought to harm David. After the death of Samuel, David fled for his life with six hundred men and their households to Philistine territory. While there, Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, gave Ziklag to David at his request: “‘Then David said to Achish, ‘If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?’ So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since” (1 Samuel 27:5–6). Achish awarded Ziklag to David most likely to ensure David’s continued neutrality.

David ruled over Ziklag for 16 months, during which he made the town his base of operations for military exploits against the Amalekites. Many of Israel’s disillusioned warriors flocked to join forces with David’s private army there (1 Chronicles 12:1–22).

1. **1 Samuel 30:1 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it."

*Explanation*: This verse sets the stage for the story, indicating that David and his men had just returned to their home in Ziklag, only to discover it had been raided and burned by the Amalekites.

2. **1 Samuel 30:3-4 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So, David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep."

*Explanation*: This passage highlights the devastating discovery of their destroyed homes and the emotional anguish experienced by David and his men upon realizing that their families had been taken captive.

While David and his men were away attempting to join the Philistine army to fight against Saul, Amalekite raiders attacked Ziklag. When the Philistines refused to let David and his men fight with them, David returned to Ziklag and found his city had been burned down and all its inhabitants taken hostage: “David and his men reached Ziklag on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked Ziklag and burned it, and had taken captive the women and everyone else in it, both young and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive” (1 Samuel 30:1–3).

3. **1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God."

*Explanation*: This verse portrays David's personal distress and the blame he faced from his own men. It underscores David's pivotal decision to find his strength in the Lord, a critical turning point in the story.

4. **1 Samuel 30:8 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "and David inquired of the Lord, 'Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?' 'Pursue them,' he answered. 'You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.'"

*Explanation*: Here, we see David's immediate response of seeking guidance from the Lord through prayer. God's response is a promise of success, reinforcing the importance of trusting in God's guidance.

5. **1 Samuel 30:18-19 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back."

In a daring rescue, David and his men pursued and defeated the raiders, recovering all that had been taken, including David’s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail (verses 16–31).

*Explanation*: These verses narrate the successful recovery mission led by David, where he not only rescued his family but also reclaimed all that was taken from them, highlighting God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise.

6. **1 Samuel 30:21-22 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were."

*Explanation*: This passage demonstrates David's compassion and concern for those who had been too weary to pursue the enemy. It showcases his leadership qualities and care for his men.

7. **1 Samuel 30:23-24 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "But David said, 'No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.'"

*Explanation*: David acknowledges that their victory and the recovery of their possessions are blessings from the Lord, reinforcing the importance of recognizing God's providence.

8. **1 Samuel 30:26 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, 'Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.'"

*Explanation*: David's act of sharing the spoils with the elders of Judah exemplifies his gratitude to God and generosity towards others, reinforcing the theme of recognizing God's blessings.

9. **1 Samuel 30:31 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "and from Hebron, from all the places David and his men had roamed."

*Explanation*: This verse summarizes the wide-reaching impact of David's generosity and his growing influence as a leader in the region.

10. **1 Samuel 30:31 (NIV)**:
*Verse*: "David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt."

*Explanation*: This concluding verse highlights David's reputation as a mighty warrior, reflecting how his trust in God and God's guidance led to remarkable victories.

These scriptures and explanations provide a comprehensive overview of the story of King David and Ziklag, emphasizing the themes of trust in God, seeking His guidance, and recognizing His blessings in times of adversity.

David was living in Ziklag when he received the news of Saul’s death (2 Samuel 4:10). After that, David moved to Hebron to become the king of Judah.

The exact location of Ziklag is debated. Some scholars associate it with Tell esh-Sharia, about 15 miles southeast of Gaza. Others pinpoint it at Tell el-Khuweilfeh, about 10 miles northeast of Beersheba.

Ziklag remained in Israelite possession until the end of the monarchy and is last mentioned in the Bible as one of the cities inhabited by Jews after returning from exile in Babylon (Nehemiah 11:28).

In the face of tragedy and loss, David's initial response was not to despair or blame others, but to "find strength in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). This crucial decision reflects David's unwavering faith in God, despite the dire circumstances. It serves as a reminder that in our own lives, when we encounter unexpected crises or overwhelming challenges, our first response should be to turn to God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength.

God's response to David's inquiry was a promise of success and victory. This illustrates that when we trust God and follow His lead, even in the most daunting situations, He remains faithful to His promises. God assured David that he would "certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue" (1 Samuel 30:8). This reaffirms the timeless truth that God is a reliable source of guidance and support in our times of need.

David's subsequent actions in pursuing the enemy and recovering everything that was lost highlight the principle that faith requires action. While trusting in God's faithfulness is crucial, it often involves taking steps of obedience and courage. David's resolute pursuit of the Amalekites not only led to the rescue of their families but also the restoration of all their possessions (1 Samuel 30:18-19). It demonstrates that God's faithfulness is manifested through our trust and obedience.