1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 113"David's genius was his spiritual resilience." 312"Both David and Saul are portrayed as persons in deep crises ofleadership, and both are deeply at risk. What interests us is the differenceof response. . . . Saul seeks refuge in a medium, [but David inquired of theLord]." 313God's provision of guidance 30:7-10David obtained an answer through the Urim and Thummim, which the high priest carriedin the breast pocket of his ephod (cf. 23:2, 4, 9). God no longer responded to Saul'sprayers (28:15), but He did answer David's (v. 8). David divided his troops into twogroups as he had when he organized his attack against Nabal (25:13). 314 The Besor brookis probably the Wadi el Arish, which flows west into the Mediterranean Sea a few milessouth of Ziklag. This stream marked the southwestern border of the land that God hadpromised to Abraham's descendants.David's kindness to the Egyptian servant 30:11-15David and his men were undoubtedly very angry and ready to kill anyone who proved tohave had a hand in kidnapping their family members. To his credit David did not kill thisEgyptian, as he planned to kill Nabal earlier. Instead he treated him kindly, in contrast tothe Amalekite master's treatment of him, and won his favor and cooperation. ContrastNabal's disdain for David, whom Nabal regarded as a runaway servant (25:10-11). TheEgyptian wanted a guarantee of safety from David, as had Saul (cf. 24:2). Receiving thishe agreed to lead David and his men to the Amalekites' camp.David's successful victory over the Amalekites 30:16-20The Amalekites were feasting on the plunder that they had taken even though theEgyptian servant had received nothing to eat or drink when he fell ill (cf. v. 12). Davidlaunched his attack early in the morning the next day and continued fighting until nightfell. Since 400 of the Amalekites escaped, the total number of David's soldiers (v. 10),they obviously had a much larger army than David did. The camel was the vehicle ofchoice at this time; it was the fastest means of transportation (cf. Judg. 7:12). Davidrecovered everything substantial (cf. v. 16) that the Amalekites had taken plus booty fromthis enemy (cf. v. 26).Sharing spoil with David's followers 30:21-25The rest of the chapter describes the distribution of plunder from this battle. The amountof space the writer devoted to this revelation shows that he intended to stress it.312 Baldwin, p. 169.313 Brueggemann, First and . . ., p. 201.314 The many comparisons and contrasts between this chapter and chapter 25 point out the differencesbetween foolish Nabal and wise David.