1 Samuel 29 & 30 Private Battle

David and his men have joined in the Philistines battle, but he will be turned away and face a private battle instead.

God has a way of working things out how HE wants them. David and his men were not willing to kill other Hebrews, but they had a secret plan to help Israel. But that was not God’s plan. He would take them from the battle by engaging them in another struggle. One that would completely capture their attention. Let’s rejoin our story and see God’s hand at work.

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David and all the fighting men of the camp march off towards Gath. The mothers and children are used to seeing the backs of their men. Usually, David takes 400 of them with him at a time. The rest remain behind and protect the settlement. This time he was commanded to bring them all. There have been other times though when the women and children ‘kept the home fires burning’ while all the men were engaged in battle. This time should be no different.

Night falls on the evening of their departure. It marks the beginning of a new day. Children are rounded up for baths and bedtime stories. The older children help with the younger and also putting everything away for the night. Finally, all is quiet and the camp settles in for a good night’s sleep.

Morning dawns like any other morning. The women prepare the morning meal, the older children begin their tasks of the day, and the younger children are set to play. Jeremiah and Andrew are given the task of tending to the animals. With their fathers gone the animals stay in their pens. They are dependent on these two young men to bring them food and water. Their hearts burst with pride at being entrusted with such an important job.

Jeremiah completes his first trip from the well to the water trough as Andrew breaks cakes of dried hay into pieces to throw to the sheep. They call back and forth to each other while performing their duties.

“Jeremiah, who do you think our fathers were called out against?”

“I don’t know. But whoever it is my dad will send them running back to where they came from!”

“Well, my dad will kill them where they stand!”

“My dad…”

Jeremiah’s words are cut off in mid-sentence by a hand across his mouth and a dagger at his throat.

“What was that Jeremiah?” Andrew turns and sees his friend’s eyes, wide with fear, in the hands of a man he does not know. Andrew jumps to his feet as if to rush the man and free his friend but the man does a quick shake of his head and presses the knife harder into Jeremiah’s throat. Andrew freezes in place.

Men pour from the bushes and swarm over the camp like hungry locust. The women are quickly subdued by threats to their children’s lives. So far no blood has been spilt and they pray it stays that way. Within minutes those from the camp are assembled at its perimeter. They watch as torches are tossed into their homes. The ones they built with their own hands. Flames begin to show through the thatch roofs and soon the whole town is alight.

While the women and children watch their homes burn the raiders herd the animals away to keep them calm. The raiders standing guard over the inhabitants of Ziklag each select a child about the age of five. These they tie to themselves with rope. Mothers cry out as their children are removed from them but a knife to the child’s neck quickly silences all.

It took less than an hour from Jeremiah’s muffled words until David’s camp is emptied of life. Not one drop of blood spilled in that whole time. This is not the treatment David’s people had expected but they are grateful for it. They will continue to cooperate with their captors and wait for the Lord’s rescue.

David and his men have no idea of what awaits their return. The fact that all this took place before they even made it to the battlefield is unknown to them. Their focus was on the task at hand; convincing Achish of his need to include their number in the attack on Israel.

While the women and children left behind are being marched away from Ziklag, David and his men are preparing for battle. Their battle plan is a bit different than that of the Philistines they are currently camping beside.

Morning breaks with the sound of sandals slapping the ground and armor rattling in rhythm. The Philistine lords move their troops into position. By late day all have arrived at Aphek. Although Gath is one of the closest cities to supply troops they are in the rear. Achish has a reason for this. He knows his fellow Philistine lords may not be pleased to see David’s group among them. He hopes to hide them at the back where he can claim them as his personal bodyguards.

Achish is one of five kings who have contributed resources to this battle. These men share the responsibility of tactics. A commander of thousands from each king will coordinate the troops and arrange them in formation. All the battalions march past by hundreds and by thousands, being directed as to placement of their camp and equipment. They also receive their orders during this phase of preparation.

David and his six hundred men pass before the command position in anticipation. They already have their orders from David and Achish. To them this is a mere formality. The commanders of the Philistines are distressed when they see David and his men. David and his men are clearly not Philistine warriors. They are Hebrews! Whose fool idea was it to include Hebrews in their ranks when those are the very people they are going against? It seems glaringly obvious who the ‘fool’ is as the Hebrews are following right behind him; Achish, king of Gath. Word is sent immediately to the other Philistine lords.

The commanders and lords gather to demand an answer from Achish. “What are these Hebrews doing here?” (1 Samuel 29:3b).

Unfazed, Achish answers; “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel…”

“Our point exactly!”

“…who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day” (1 Samuel 29:3c).

Achish’s words of praise for David melted in the heat of the other lord’s anger. They had not tested David’s mettle and they were not willing to do so at this critical point. “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become and adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” (1 Samuel 29:4b-5).

Achish knew he could not prevail against all the other lords. His plan to bring David had failed. It was his failure, not David’s. He must make David understand that he had not lost faith in him. Achish called David to his side. He took David to the side but kept within the other lord’s hearing so they would know that he had heeded their words.

“As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. So go back now; and go peaceably, that you man not displease the lords of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 29:6-7).

David’s plan to help Saul’s army depended on being in this battle. He has to try and convince Achish to let them stay. “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” (1 Samuel 29:8).

Achish is touched by David’s loyalty but David’s feelings are of less importance than those of his fellow lords. He tries once more to soften the blow that must fall. “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light” (1 Samuel 29:9-10).

David knows that Achish has given him these orders in the hearing of the commanders and lords for a reason. If he does not obey, the Philistines will fall on him and his men before marching to meet Saul. He will obey. “It will be as you command my king.”

David returns to his men who have been assigned a camp location away from the Philistine armies. They were purposefully separated from the beginning. They are however within the watchful eye of the commanders, lest there be trouble.

“We will not be joining in this battle. We have been ordered to return home. We leave at first light.”

David’s men know better than to discuss their plans to help Saul’s army within the confines of the Philistine camp. Sleep would not come willingly tonight as they considered the fate of their brothers and the fact that they could do nothing to help them.

David’s men set out towards Ziklag first thing in the morning. They had barely begun their travel when they noticed they were being followed by a group of three men. They could easily have overpowered their pursuers but that would probably be a mistake. These men no doubt had orders to report back on David and his men reaching their destination. It appeared the Philistine lords would ensure they didn’t return to the battle field.

Everyone was disappointed by the turn of events. They knew Israel would be outnumbered when the fighting started, not to mention out armed. David strengthened their hearts when he quietly began to share his latest plan.

“We will lead these men home as fast as possible then double back and rejoin the battle. We may not even need to go all the way home. If they are convinced we have gone too far to be of any danger, they may turn back early. We need to be ready to act whatever the situation.”

David and his men picked up the pace. They needed to hurry if they had any hope of making the round trip before Saul falls to the Philistines.

On the third day of moving fast, David and his men break through the forest that surrounds their temporary homes. Something is not right. No sounds come from the camp. No laughing children. No animals lowing. No welcome cries of their wives. As they move closer they notice burn scars on their homes. Roofs are gaping, doors are missing or hanging in pieces, the pens are trampled, and vessels strewn about and shattered.

Men begin running through the camp calling to their families who are unable to answer them. They search franticly but find nothing to calm their fears. Cries of anguish tear from their throats until they are completely exhausted by grief.

They are furious at David for insisting they all march to Gath together. How could he be so careless with their lives? They might as well be dead themselves for they see no return from this devastation. Better yet, they could stone him as they would not be in this position if it were not for him.

David is feeling the loss as well. His wives are among the missing. But he has noticed something he counts as favorable. There are no bodies. Their families may yet live. He needs direction as to how to proceed. He turns to the One he knows has the answers; he turns to his God.

David called his men together. “We will seek the Lord. Abiathar, ‘Bring me the ephod’ (1 Samuel 30:7b).”

Everyone waits while Abiathar pulls the ephod from the pack he carries and pulls it over his body. Once it is in place he turns to David and waits for him to state his question to the Lord.

“Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” (1 Samuel 30:8a).

Abiathar relays the answer from the Lord, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue” (1 Samuel 30:8b).

The men’s faces began to brighten as hope flooded their hearts. David called them to begin searching the ground for signs of departure to know the direction they should travel. With a company as large as his there would surely be signs.

The raiders had taken some pains to wipe away the trail but not enough to fool David’s men. They are experienced in this activity themselves and they soon recognized the direction they must travel. David and his men began the chase.

There was no time to lose. Their families had already been gone for days as the scars of the fires had already cooled. David set the pace at a run. They reached the brook Besor and stopped to refresh themselves for a moment. Many of the men fell to the ground in exhaustion. Three days hard marching, their discovery at Ziklag, and now hours of running had used all their strength. They could go no further.

David understood their exhaustion and he did not chastise them for it nor demand they continue. “Those who can go no farther, stay here. I am going on and any with the strength remaining, follow me.”

Two hundred men stayed behind. David led the four hundred with strength on the trail of their families. They had to slow their pace in order to find signs of the raider’s trail. It had been obvious that they would have to pass through the brook from the signs left at the camp but from this point nothing was certain. Except the Lord’s promise.

As they progressed further into the wilderness Joab spotted an Egyptian lying by the road. He looked near death. Joab called out for David to join him. “Maybe this man has information we can use” suggested Joab.

“We need to revive him first. Bring some food and water quickly.”

Joab grabs a pack and searches through it. He comes away with some bread and passes it to David. David takes his water skin from across his body. He raises the man’s head and presses it to his lips. He drinks greedily. “Easy” urges David as he pulls it back. “You will make yourself sick if you drink too quickly.” The man nods his head in understanding and David returns the skin to his lips where he pulls small sips into his mouth. David eases him into a sitting position and Joab hands him the bread.

The Egyptian slowly eats the bread and drinks more water. This process is painstaking for David’s men. They need answers now but the Egyptian is in no shape to answer yet. Another one of David’s men retrieves a piece of cake of figs and two clusters of raisins from his pack. These too are given to the Egyptian to strengthen him.

“We may as well join him in breaking for a meal too. We need our strength refreshed also” offered Joab. David agreed and his men knelt on the ground and quickly consumed portions from their packs. They would eat but they wouldn’t relax and take their time. They wanted to be ready to go as soon as they could obtain any information from the Egyptian.

Finally the man’s eyes brightened. His spirit was revived. He had not eaten or drank for three days and nights. He was near death when Joab came upon him. Now he was ready to repay his rescuers however he could.

David began to question him. “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” (1 Samuel 30: 13a).

“I am a young man from Egypt, servant to and Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethities and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire” (1 Samuel 30:13b-14).

David was thrilled to learn that this man was servant to the men he was looking for. “Will you take me down to this band?” (1 Samuel 30:15a).

The Egyptian’s eyes showed both anger and fear. “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band” (1 Samuel 30:15b).

This was an oath David was more than willing to make. “As the Lord lives, I so swear. If you bring me down to this band without alerting them you will become a free man as none of them will remain who were your masters.”

David sends a prayer of thanks heavenward as the Egyptian leads them on a sure path. He doesn’t hesitate for a moment. He walks this path as if he has done so since his youth. He knows every turn before it presents itself. Their progress is much faster than if they were searching for signs of their people’s passing.

The forced waiting while the Egyptian regained his strength has done David’s men good also. Their strength has also returned and they are ready for whatever lies ahead.

The Egyptian motions for quiet. They have been walking in a dry valley with rock formations on either side. It appears as if they are approaching a solid wall, the end of their valley. But the Egyptian does not halt. His approach is cautious. He looks to the cliffs above, then further back the way they came. David is puzzled by his movements until he sees an opening in the wall before him. He would have missed it if not for this man.

The Egyptian looks to David and smiles. David points to the opening in the rock and the Egyptian nods. “This is it” thinks David. David very cautiously slips into the opening. It is bigger than it looked from the other side. Several people could walk abreast within its passage but David travels it alone for now. He wants to know what is on the other side of this passage before he brings his men through. He wants to make certain it is not a trap.

As David nears the other side he hears music and laughter. He crouches low and moves his head into the opening just far enough to allow him to see what awaits him. It is nearing evening but David is able to make out a vast valley in which people are spread from one end to the other. David scans the area near the entrance he occupies and sees no guards posted. He believes these men think their hiding spot so well hidden that they don’t bother to post a guard. He will make certain they reap the benefits of this mistake. David turns his eyes to the camp before him and is able to locate an area in the center that houses prisoners. He assumes this is where he will find his people. He also notices that food and drink are flowing freely among the revelers. This should help his cause considerably. David finally backs up and then returns to his men.

“There are a great many of them but the Lord has already promised we will rescue our own. They are also in the midst of celebrating with food and drink. I expect many of them will be drunk on wine and fall easily at our hand.”

David stoops down and begins to draw in the dirt with his finger. He draws a rough diagram of the enemy’s camp. He then assigns positions for his men. “We will go in silently until all are in place. Once this group reaches the prisoners they will begin sneaking them out this way.” David draws the line in his diagram indicating the route the prisoners will take. When the last one reaches this point we will descend into the camp and take it. If the prisoner’s departure is hindered, the group set to free them will sound the alarm and we will fall upon the enemy first. I will lead the group freeing the prisoners. Keep sharp. We cannot allow any to raise the alarm. If you are about to be discovered, silence your observer without making any noise or alerting his comrades.”

Everyone is ready. They have committed the plan to memory and are trusting in the Lord. They slip into the valley is small groups and spread out until they encircle the camp. David and his group slip from the rear towards the area where the prisoners are confined. As he nears the area a shout rings out to his left. He looks over and sees his men engaged in a small skirmish. The element of surprise is lost. David lets loose a war cry and his men surge from their hiding places. They begin striking down the enemy as they move. David’s group takes up position around the captives and defend them. They also push their way further out from their central position.

It is twilight when the first sounds of battle erupt and quiet doesn’t return until the evening the next day. David and his men fight as the hand of the Lord. They do not tire or take time for refreshing. When their swords drop from their hands the next evening not a man remained standing of their enemy. Four hundred of them had escaped on camels during the fight. They would doubtless carry the tale of this battle.

David and his men surveyed the spoil left behind. It was massive! It was also miraculous! Not a single captive had been harmed. Everything that David and his men had lost, lay before them. There was nothing missing, great of small. The herds and flocks that had been taken throughout the raids this band had made stood before them. They were too numerous to count. The people cried out in joy, “This is David’s spoil!” (1 Samuel 30:20b, emphasis added).

David and all his people gathered the spoil and began the trip back to Ziklag. They drove the livestock before them. The return trip would be slower than when they made their way here. It would also be more joyous for both parties who had come this way.

As David and those with him neared the brook of Besor, the two hundred who had been unable to continue on came out to meet them. They were excited to find their families unharmed. They were also overwhelmed with the spoils being carried out. The eagerly joined in the joyous reunion and praise.

While most of David’s group praised the Lord and welcomed one another, a small group of men who had been difficult from their coming to David until now, spoke out against those who had remained behind.

“Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart” (1 Samuel 30:22b).

David was both angry and disappointed with this group. He had hoped that they would have developed the bonds of brotherhood by now. He also KNEW that their success was not their own, but the Lord’s. To claim otherwise was sin. David looked at this group and said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter. For as his share is who goes down into battle, so shall his share be who stays ty the baggage. They shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:23-24, emphasis added). David vowed in his heart that he would make this a statute for all Israel when he became king too.

The matter settled, they went on until they reached Ziklag. There they made a great feast to commemorate this victory. In the morning they would begin repairing the damage done by the Amalekites.

When morning dawned David was still in high spirits from the night before. Even in this land of the Philistines, God had watched over him. He thought back over all the places he and his company had sojourned and remembered those who had welcomed him and cared for his people. He wanted to give something back for all they had done for him. With the spoils he had just won he would be able to repay their kindness. David called his men together to tell them of his desire.

“I want to send a gift to the places where we sojourned in the land of Judah to repay them for their kindness while we were with them. Our spoils are great and more than our needs. They actually stretch our resources. Let us send some of what we have gained to those who sheltered us.”

The idea was quickly approved and set in motion. David and his men settled on 13 locations where they felt welcomed. Each location would receive the same amount of livestock and a message from David. Fifty of David’s men would drive the herds to their new locations. David’s message said, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:26b).

David’s men set out that same day to deliver their gifts of thanks “for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Facal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenited, in Hormah, in Borashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and him men had roamed” (1 Samuel 30:27-30).

(to be continued)

Did you notice that Zith was not listed among the recipients? They turned on David twice! They deserved NO reward or recompense from David. I have no doubt that the gifts given helped the people of Judah decide to make David their king.

David didn’t have to do this. He could have kept the spoils for himself. Even his men, when they were driving all the herds back to Ziklag said; “This is David’s spoil.” (1 Samuel 30:20b) David shared what was returned with more than the people of Judah. He shared it equally among ALL his men. Even those who stayed by the brook in the way in.

I believe this is because David KNEW Who truly gave him all that he had. To him, these were the Lord’s spoils.

Father God, YOU give me ALL that I have. YOU have blessed me far beyond what I ever imagined. I know it sounds ungrateful at this moment, but can You bless me with more time? More time with my husband and mother-in-law. Not only for financial reasons, but because I would be lost without them both.

I KNOW that they would both be with You and that You would be with me, but my heart trembles thinking about the things I would face alone, without them. THANK YOU for EVERY MOMENT I have with them. Even the times that are the hardest. They have strengthened me in ways I never imagined. I’m FAR from ready to end those times. Neither are ‘on death’s doorstep’ but their struggles are real. I find it funny that my mother-in-law is amazed that she is still on this earth today, at her age. She keeps looking for her ‘expiration date’. You have truly blessed her too.