June 08 2025 // 1 Samuel 30:1-20
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to 1 Samuel 30:1-20
Sermon Title: Dealing With a Crisis
A Real-Life Crisis – vs. 1-6a
A Response of Faith vs. 6b-8
A Result of Trusting God – Vs 9-20
Life Application:
Imagine a ship caught in a fierce storm at sea. The waves are crashing, the wind is howling, and the crew is on the verge of despair, believing the ship will sink. The captain, however, remains calm. He’s been through storms before and knows the ship is built to withstand the worst. Instead of panicking, he checks the compass, adjusts the sails, and trusts the vessel’s design to carry them through. The crew, inspired by his confidence, rallies together and follows his lead, eventually sailing into calmer waters.
In 1 Samuel 30, David is like that captain. He returns to Ziklag to find it burned, his family and possessions taken by the Amalekites, and his men ready to stone him in their grief (1 Samuel 30:1-6). Everything seems lost, and the weight of leadership could crush him. Yet, the text says, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). Instead of giving in to despair, he turns to God for guidance, seeks His direction through prayer (1 Samuel 30:7-8), and acts with faith, leading his men to recover all that was lost (1 Samuel 30:18-19).
Like David, we all face storms—moments when loss, betrayal, or failure threaten to overwhelm us. The world might tell us to give up or lash out, but David’s example shows us that true strength comes from turning to God in our distress. When we anchor ourselves in prayer and trust God’s promises, He can guide us through the chaos to restoration. Just as the captain trusted the ship’s design, we can trust God’s faithfulness to lead us to victory, no matter how dark the storm.
Digging Deeper:
The Amalekites
The Amalekites have featured prominently in the story of Saul’s reign. Most recently in the account we have heard Saul reminded that his failure had a lot to do with his treatment of the Amalekites. “Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day” (1 Samuel 28:18, referring to the events of 1 Samuel 15). We are about to see how David dealt with these “enemies of the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:26).
In time (since the word to Saul about the Amalekites was reported out of chronological sequence) the most recent involvement of the Amalekites in our story was David’s early days in Ziklag, when he “made raids” against the Amalekites (among others) (1 Samuel 27:8, 9). During David’s absence from Ziklag, the Amalekites had now retaliated. They “made a raid” against the Negeb (which is what David had falsely claimed to have been doing when asked by Achish, 1 Samuel 27:10), and in particular against Ziklag.[1]
Distress
David’s “distress” was not his emotional state but the dangerous predicament in which he found himself. It is important to notice that David’s circumstances are described with the words Saul used at about the same time in his dark meeting in Endor: “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more …” (1 Samuel 28:15).
Therefore at about the time Saul was experiencing his darkest hour of utter hopelessness, David was also in a very tight spot. The men he had so successfully led since the first 400 of them had joined him at the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:2) now found themselves worse off than before they had attached themselves to him. All of his successes had been undone by this disaster. They were “bitter in soul” again.[2]
The Egyptian
This incident with the unnamed Egyptian sojourner thus measures the circumference of David’s soul. David was wracked with emotional pain, but he was not so wrapped up in his own problems that he could not help another person in need. The greatness of David’s character is seen in the greatness of his provision for an alien in need.
David’s obedient act of kindness toward the Egyptian produced benefits for all. For his part the Egyptian “was revived.” To David’s benefit the Egyptian provided information and assistance that enabled the Israelites to see the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise (v. 8). In the course of his interrogation David learned that the man was an abandoned slave (v. 13) who had materially participated in the Amalekites’ military operations at Ziklag.
From the Egyptian David also learned that the Amalekite raiding party’s itinerary was extensive and included raids on three different regions: (1) “the Negev of the Kerethites” (v. 14), a coastal area inhabited by allies of the Philistines who possessed Cretan roots (cf. Ezek 25:16); (2) “the territory belonging to Judah,” part of the holdings of David’s ancestral tribe east of Ziklag; and (3) “the Negev of Caleb,” a special allotment of Judah’s territory centered around Hebron (cf. Josh 14:13–14; 15:13–15).
In spite of the fact that the Egyptian to whom he had been so gracious was also one who had helped destroy his village, David asked a remarkable favor of him: “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” (v. 15). David was now placing the success or failure of his entire military mission—to say nothing of the hopes of six hundred families for reunion and restoration—in the hands of a man he had known for only an hour, one who had admitted to torching David’s possessions. It was a dangerous gamble, but it also was David’s best hope, one that apparently had been sent to him by the providential hand of God.
The Egyptian, knowing that he also had much at risk in this venture, asked for some assurances of protection before agreeing to David’s terms. He required David to take an oath “before God” that he would not be executed for what he had done, nor would he be returned to the Amalekites.[3]
Questions to Consider:
1. What does David's reaction to the devastation of Ziklag teach about responding to trials and distress?
2. Why do you think David's men thought about stoning him? How would you react to blame in a leadership position?
3. What steps did David take before pursuing the Amalekites? How does this inform our decision-making processes today?
4. How does David’s treatment of the Egyptian servant reflect on his character?
5. In what ways does the surprise attack on the Amalekites showcase David's strategic skills as a military leader?
6. How did David's leadership style affect the outcome of the situation in verses 21-25?
Prayer Time:
[1] John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 531.
[2] John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 533.
[3] Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, vol. 7, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 277–278.
Sermon Title: Dealing With a Crisis
A Real-Life Crisis – vs. 1-6a
- A devastating discovery vs. 1-3
- A distressful reaction vs. 4-6a
- Strengthened himself vs.6b
- Sought God vs. 8
- Prayer was specific
- Prayer was submissive
- God’s providence realized vs. 9-15
- Provided direction
- God’s power proven vs. 16-20
- Returned everything and more
Life Application:
Imagine a ship caught in a fierce storm at sea. The waves are crashing, the wind is howling, and the crew is on the verge of despair, believing the ship will sink. The captain, however, remains calm. He’s been through storms before and knows the ship is built to withstand the worst. Instead of panicking, he checks the compass, adjusts the sails, and trusts the vessel’s design to carry them through. The crew, inspired by his confidence, rallies together and follows his lead, eventually sailing into calmer waters.
In 1 Samuel 30, David is like that captain. He returns to Ziklag to find it burned, his family and possessions taken by the Amalekites, and his men ready to stone him in their grief (1 Samuel 30:1-6). Everything seems lost, and the weight of leadership could crush him. Yet, the text says, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). Instead of giving in to despair, he turns to God for guidance, seeks His direction through prayer (1 Samuel 30:7-8), and acts with faith, leading his men to recover all that was lost (1 Samuel 30:18-19).
Like David, we all face storms—moments when loss, betrayal, or failure threaten to overwhelm us. The world might tell us to give up or lash out, but David’s example shows us that true strength comes from turning to God in our distress. When we anchor ourselves in prayer and trust God’s promises, He can guide us through the chaos to restoration. Just as the captain trusted the ship’s design, we can trust God’s faithfulness to lead us to victory, no matter how dark the storm.
Digging Deeper:
The Amalekites
The Amalekites have featured prominently in the story of Saul’s reign. Most recently in the account we have heard Saul reminded that his failure had a lot to do with his treatment of the Amalekites. “Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day” (1 Samuel 28:18, referring to the events of 1 Samuel 15). We are about to see how David dealt with these “enemies of the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:26).
In time (since the word to Saul about the Amalekites was reported out of chronological sequence) the most recent involvement of the Amalekites in our story was David’s early days in Ziklag, when he “made raids” against the Amalekites (among others) (1 Samuel 27:8, 9). During David’s absence from Ziklag, the Amalekites had now retaliated. They “made a raid” against the Negeb (which is what David had falsely claimed to have been doing when asked by Achish, 1 Samuel 27:10), and in particular against Ziklag.[1]
Distress
David’s “distress” was not his emotional state but the dangerous predicament in which he found himself. It is important to notice that David’s circumstances are described with the words Saul used at about the same time in his dark meeting in Endor: “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more …” (1 Samuel 28:15).
Therefore at about the time Saul was experiencing his darkest hour of utter hopelessness, David was also in a very tight spot. The men he had so successfully led since the first 400 of them had joined him at the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:2) now found themselves worse off than before they had attached themselves to him. All of his successes had been undone by this disaster. They were “bitter in soul” again.[2]
The Egyptian
This incident with the unnamed Egyptian sojourner thus measures the circumference of David’s soul. David was wracked with emotional pain, but he was not so wrapped up in his own problems that he could not help another person in need. The greatness of David’s character is seen in the greatness of his provision for an alien in need.
David’s obedient act of kindness toward the Egyptian produced benefits for all. For his part the Egyptian “was revived.” To David’s benefit the Egyptian provided information and assistance that enabled the Israelites to see the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise (v. 8). In the course of his interrogation David learned that the man was an abandoned slave (v. 13) who had materially participated in the Amalekites’ military operations at Ziklag.
From the Egyptian David also learned that the Amalekite raiding party’s itinerary was extensive and included raids on three different regions: (1) “the Negev of the Kerethites” (v. 14), a coastal area inhabited by allies of the Philistines who possessed Cretan roots (cf. Ezek 25:16); (2) “the territory belonging to Judah,” part of the holdings of David’s ancestral tribe east of Ziklag; and (3) “the Negev of Caleb,” a special allotment of Judah’s territory centered around Hebron (cf. Josh 14:13–14; 15:13–15).
In spite of the fact that the Egyptian to whom he had been so gracious was also one who had helped destroy his village, David asked a remarkable favor of him: “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” (v. 15). David was now placing the success or failure of his entire military mission—to say nothing of the hopes of six hundred families for reunion and restoration—in the hands of a man he had known for only an hour, one who had admitted to torching David’s possessions. It was a dangerous gamble, but it also was David’s best hope, one that apparently had been sent to him by the providential hand of God.
The Egyptian, knowing that he also had much at risk in this venture, asked for some assurances of protection before agreeing to David’s terms. He required David to take an oath “before God” that he would not be executed for what he had done, nor would he be returned to the Amalekites.[3]
Questions to Consider:
1. What does David's reaction to the devastation of Ziklag teach about responding to trials and distress?
2. Why do you think David's men thought about stoning him? How would you react to blame in a leadership position?
3. What steps did David take before pursuing the Amalekites? How does this inform our decision-making processes today?
4. How does David’s treatment of the Egyptian servant reflect on his character?
5. In what ways does the surprise attack on the Amalekites showcase David's strategic skills as a military leader?
6. How did David's leadership style affect the outcome of the situation in verses 21-25?
Prayer Time:
[1] John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 531.
[2] John Woodhouse, 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008), 533.
[3] Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel, vol. 7, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 277–278.