“And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8 KJV
In 1 Samuel 30:8 KJV, David sought God for direction. Before David attacked, before David made a move — David sought God for instruction. David did not move forward out of his own strength or intellect. Before David was executed — He sought God for spiritual and natural direction.
In 1 Samuel 30:1 KJV, David was attacked by the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 30:2 KJV declares that the Amalekites had taken the women and children in the camp captive. What has the enemy taken captive? What has the enemy stolen from you? What has the enemy stolen from your family?
Maybe the enemy stole your peace. Maybe the enemy stole your joy. Maybe the enemy stole your hope. Be not dismayed, do not fear — for God is on your side. God is the author of peace — He is Peace. God is the author of joy — He is Joy. God is the author of hope — He is Hope. Choose to surrender to God. Seek Him. Submit to Him in everything that you do. Don’t let the circumstance overwhelm you. Don’t let your situation overtake you.
1 Samuel 30:1 KJV declares, “And it came to pass when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;” Notice that the enemy had attacked David while they weren’t looking. The Amalekites, the enemy, attacked the camp while they were away. Maybe the enemy attacked you while you weren’t looking. Don’t lose hope. Choose to trust God.
1 Samuel 30:4 KJV declares, “Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept until they had no more power to weep.” David wept. The people around David wept. Things around David were chaotic. The people around you matter. Your counsel matters. In stressful and in high-pressure situations, those who serve on your team matter. Those who advise and counsel you matter. Proverbs 11:14 KJV declares, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Your counsel is critical to your success. David surrendered to God. Even in turmoil — David sought the Counsel of God.
David Sought God.
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV
David was surrounded by those who wanted to stone him. Maybe you’ve experienced a high-pressured circumstance when those around you wanted to crucify you. Maybe those around you wanted to assassinate your career. Maybe you’ve been surrounded by those who wanted to stone your character. Maybe you’ve been surrounded by those who desired to crush you. When you’re surrounded by chaos and turmoil, seek and surrender to God.
1 Samuel 30:6 KJV declares, “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” Although David was greatly distressed — David put his emotions aside and encouraged himself in the Lord.
According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew word for “Encouraged” is, ‘chazaq’ (H2388) which means, “To strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute.” David shifted his focus and strengthened himself in the Lord. David became strong in the Lord. David became resolute to seek the Counsel of the Lord — even in chaos.
When chaos surrounds you, choose to shift your focus. When circumstances around you are tumultuous, shift your focus and seek God. David strengthened himself and sought the Counsel of God — even in a chaotic time. Pattern yourself after David. Seek God even in the midst of turmoil.
1 Samuel 30:7-8 KJV declared, “And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” David sought God before he pursued his enemy. Before you attack — seek God. Before you respond — seek God.
David asked God, “Shall I pursue?” Seek God before you pursue. Go in the Strength, Counsel, and Wisdom of God. Don’t go in your own strength. Don’t go in your own might. Seek God. Surrender to His Wisdom and Counsel and you will get His Results.
Surround yourself with Godly Counsel. Don’t respond out of your flesh. Don’t respond in a carnal way. Submit to God, and He will lead your path. “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 KJV.
