1. At one point during his ordeal David went to live for a time in Philistine territory along with six
hundred men plus women and children, supporters who followed him into hiding. I Sam 27:1-12
a. Although the Philistines were Israel’s enemies, King Achish eventually gave David and his band
the town of Ziklag for a home. They lived there for over a year. (Whole story for another day.)
b. While David and his men were away from Ziklag on a mission, a local tribe raided the city, burned
it down, and carried off all the women and children, including David’s wives. I Sam 30:1-5
2. This circumstance stirred numerous emotions in everyone. First they experienced grief over their loss.
Not only had they lost homes and possessions, they lost their families and didn’t know if they’d ever
see them again. v4–(They) wept until they could weep no more. (NLT)
a. But then their initial grief morphed into bitterness (v6). Grief is bitterness in the original
language: bitterly grieved (Amp). Bitterness is an expression of severe, hard to bear pain, grief or
regret. It often expresses itself in anger. v6–All the people were in an ugly mood (Berkeley).
b. The men began to talk about killing David. Their grief turned to bitterness was driving them to get
revenge for their loss. Revenge is payback. Emotions sometimes compel us to blame someone or
something for our loss.
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1. We think that if we can get revenge we’ll feel better and the situation will somehow be
helped. But this is actually a big argument for learning to controlling our emotions and keep
them from driving us to act irrationally and sinfully.
2. Had they killed David they’d have killed an innocent man. What happened at Ziklag wasn’t
David’s fault. It was a product of life in a sin cursed earth where wicked men rob and kill
other men. Evil happens in a sin cursed earth. But none of it is bigger than God. John 16:33
c. Killing David wouldn’t have solved anything. It would have made their situation worse because
David would later get direction from God that ended in them recovering all that they had lost.
3. There’s a lot going on here. These men were experiencing a jumble of emotions. As is often the case
in the face of severe loss, on top of the pain of their losses they were angry — not only at David but
possibly at themselves. No doubt they were struggling with “if onlys”.
a. If only we hadn’t gone with David to Philistine country… If only we had stayed in Ziklag instead
of going on that expedition…if only we had come back from our mission a day earlier…etc.
b. All of these are expressions of guilt and regret. “If only” an accusation against themselves. This is
our some how our fault.
1. Despite what their emotions were telling them, what happened at Ziklag was not their fault
even though it was their choice to follow David. They made the best decision they could
based on the facts available to them in their situation.
2. Samuel, an established prophet, had anointed him in the name of the Lord; Saul had not been
a good king, etc. David and his men had no way of knowing that the Amalekites were going
to attack Ziklag.
b. It was natural for them to feel regret about the situation. When we make a decision that doesn’t
turn out as we hoped it’s easy to get caught up in the “If only I had done this or hadn’t done that”.
1. Even if David and his men should have done something different (like leave some men to
guard the city), what’s done is done. They can’t undo it. They can only deal with the
situation as it is, not as it should have been.
2. Fixating on the “if onlys” does nothing positive. Instead it feeds the emotions of regret, guilt
and sorrow. If you don’t feed those feelings they will eventually subside. Emotions fade
when there nothing stimulating them.
4. v6–David was greatly distressed. No doubt he was feeling regret (he’d led his men to this place) and
fear (they’re talking about killing him) on top of his sorrow. But he encouraged himself in the Lord.
a. The word encourage means to fasten upon, to seize, to be strong–Laid hold on the Lord His God
(Berkeley); took courage from (Jerusalem).
1. It’s the same word translated “be strong” when God set Joshua over the Israelites in Moses’
place and charged him with leading difficult people into the land of Canaan to possess it. Josh
1:6,7,9–Be resolute and strong (Berkeley); firm and steadfast (NAB).
2. “Be strong” meant: Fasten yourself to these facts. God said: I will be with you as I was with
Moses, as I Am (v5). I will never abandon you. I will be with you wherever you go (v9).
3. Then God directed Joshua to His written Word. By that point the first five books of the Old
Testament had been recorded by Moses. v7,8
A. The law thou hast in writing must govern every utterance of thine (Knox); (Keep it) in
your thoughts day and night (that you may) keep with care everything in it (Basic).
B. v8–Meditate on My Word continually. Meditate means to mutter, to ponder. Then, God
said, you will be prosperous (to push forward) and successful (to act with insight).
c. Joshua was fully human. There is no reason to think that he did not experience certain emotions at
this point (fear, anxiety, inadequacy, etc.). So God’s instructions to him were:
1. Don’t allow what you see and feel to change your view of reality. Hold on to reality as it truly
is according to My Word. Don’t be moved by anything but My Word. Set your focus on what
I say. Seize it, fasten upon it. It will strengthen and encourage you.
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2. I told you when I brought you out of Egypt that I would bring you into this land and defeat
every enemy you face (Ex 3:8; 6:8; etc.). None of this is bigger than Me.
5. Back to David in I Sam 30. In the face of all these emotions stimulated by a very grave situation,
David fastened himself on God and His Word. (He would have known about Joshua’s situation.)
a. v6–But with renewed trust in the Lord His God (NAB). David renewed his trust in the Lord.
Trust is the Old Testament counterpart of the New Testament word faith. Faith or trust and
confidence in God comes from God’s Word because it reveals God to us — both His character
(what He is like) and His works (what He does). Rom 10:17; Ps 9:10
1. We know from David’s psalms that when he was in fear and distress he put his attention on
God’s Word. Ps 56:3,4–When he was afraid he trusted in God and praised His Word.
2. Praise comes from a word that means to shine or shout; to commend, to boast, to shine. When
emotions were raging David rejoiced in hope by proclaiming who God is and what He does.
b. Ps 42 gives us additional insight into how he handled his emotions. David could not go before the
Presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle at Jerusalem because he was on the run and he was
experiencing the emotions that go with not being where he longed to be. He remembers the good
times he used to have and is sad (v1-4). Consider these points.
a. David talked to himself. v5–Why are you despondent, my soul, and why are you so agitated
(Harrison). Hope in (wait expectantly for–Amp) God for I shall praise Him again (RSV).
1. David engaging in “self-talk”. We all talk to ourselves all the time. That’s what
meditation is (muttering and pondering). That trait can work for us or against us — build
us up or down, strengthen or weaken us.
2. In the face of circumstances and emotions David encouraged himself. Self: Hope or
expect God’s help. This is a temporary situation. I’ll get back to the Tabernacle.
c. Dealing with emotions can be a real battle. We see that in this psalm. David’s emotions
would rise up and he’d have to encourage himself in the Lord.
1. v6–Oh my God, my life is cast down upon me [and I find the burden more than I can
bear] (Amp); I am depressed (Harrison); I am sunk in misery (NEB). THEREFORE I
WILL REMEMBER YOU right where I am no matter where I am or what is going on.
Jordan, the Hermonites, the hill Mizar are all references to places in Israel.
2. v7,8–Sorrow overwhelms me at times, one wave of sorrow after another (Adam Clarke).
But I WILL REMEMBER the Lord’s goodness and proclaim it all night long.
3. v9-11–When I feel forgotten and overwhelmed I will REMIND MYSELF of the hope I
have in you.
6. God’s written Word is a record of His promises and it is filled with examples of real help given to real
people in real trouble. Those examples were written to encourage us (Rom 15:4) What promises and
what examples did David have available with which to encourage himself at Ziklag?
a. He had the example of Joshua — the whole story. God did indeed keep every promise and fulfill
every Word to Joshua. God brought him and his people successfully into Canaan. Josh 23:14
b. David also had two stunning examples of kidnappings that turned out right by the power of God.
1. His ancestor Abraham’s nephew Lot was kidnapped along with his household and possessions
by a confederation of kings. God helped Abraham recover them all. Gen 14
2. Joseph was kidnapped by his own brothers, sold him into slavery, and told their father was
dead. Although Joseph was gone for many years, the family was eventually reunited and God
brought tremendous good out of all of it. Gen 37-50; Gen 50:20
c. No matter how it turned out (immediate deliverance or ultimate restoration and reunion) it was
clear to David that his situation was not bigger than God (Gen 18:14). How did it turn out?
1. Instead of being moved by his emotions to do something crazy or get caught in a pit of despair
and regret, with renewed trust in God, David asked the Lord what he should do.
2. God told him: pursue the kidnappers and recover all. That is what happened. v7,8; 18,19