David returns to find Ziklag burned by Amalekite raiders who captured all the women and children, including David's two wives; the men weep until exhausted, then speak of stoning David, but he strengthens himself in the LORD his God. Inquiring through the ephod, the LORD directs David to pursue and promises recovery; two hundred men too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stay with the baggage. An Egyptian slave abandoned by the raiders guides David to the Amalekite camp; David attacks from twilight to evening of the next day, recovering everything—wives, children, possessions, and great spoil. When some want to exclude those who stayed behind, David establishes the statute that those who guard the baggage share equally; he sends spoil to the elders of Judah throughout his wandering places.
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 30 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings
First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God
Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart
Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry
Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Faithful Spy, Companion of Joshua
Places in This Chapter
Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Bethel means "House of God" and was where Jacob had his famous dream of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Abraham also built altars here. Later, Jeroboam set up a golden calf here as an alternative worship site to Jerusalem, which was condemned by prophets.
Position in Book
David anointed, defeats Goliath, friendship with Jonathan, flees from Saul, Saul's death in battle.