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he was set free。
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After three days' travel David and his band of six hundred men reached
Ziklag； their Philistine home。 But a scene of desolation met their view。 The
Amalekites； taking advantage of David's absence； with his force； had avenged
themselves for his incursions into their territory。 They had surprised the
city while it was left unguarded； and having sacked and burned it； had
departed； taking all the women and children as captives； with much spoil。
Dumb with horror and amazement； David and his men for a little time gazed in
silence upon the blackened and smoldering ruins。 Then as a sense of their
terrible desolation burst upon them； those battle…scarred warriors 〃lifted
up their voice and wept； until they had no more power to weep。〃
Here again David was chastened for the lack of faith that had led him to
place himself among the Philistines。 He had opportunity to see how much
safety could be found among the foes of God and His people。 David's
followers turned upon him as the cause of their calamities。 He had provoked
the vengeance of the Amalekites by his attack upon them； yet； too confident
of security in the midst of his enemies； he had left the city unguarded。
Maddened with grief and rage； his soldiers were now ready for any desperate
measures； and they threatened even to stone their leader。
David seemed to be cut off from every human support。 All that he held dear
on earth had been swept from him。 Saul had driven him from his country； the
Philistines had driven him from the camp； the Amalekites had plundered his
city； his wives and children had been made prisoners； and his own familiar
friends had banded against him； and threatened him even with death。 In this
hour of utmost extremity David； instead of permitting his mind to dwell upon
these painful circumstances； looked earnestly to God for help。 He
〃encouraged himself in the Lord。〃 He reviewed his past eventful life。
Wherein had the Lord ever forsaken him？ His soul was refreshed in recalling
the many evidences of God's favor。 The followers of David； by their
discontent and impatience； made their affliction doubly grievous； but the
man of God； having even greater cause for grief； bore himself with
fortitude。 〃What time I am afraid； I will trust in Thee〃 （Psalm 56：3）； was
the language of his heart。 Though he himself
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could not discern a way out of the difficulty； God could see it； and would
teach him what to do。
Sending for Abiathar the priest； the son of Ahimelech； 〃David inquired of
the Lord； saying； If I pursue after this troop； shall I overtake them？〃 The
answer was； 〃Pursue： for thou shalt surely overtake them； and shalt without
fail recover all。〃 1 Samuel 30：8； R。V。
At these words the tumult of grief and passion ceased。 David and his
soldiers at once set out in pursuit of their fleeing foe。 So rapid was their
march； that upon reaching the brook Besor； which empties near Gaza into the
Mediterranean Sea； two hundred of the band were compelled by exhaustion to
remain behind。 But David with the remaining four hundred pressed forward；
nothing daunted。
Advancing； they came upon an Egyptian slave apparently about to perish from
weariness and hunger。 Upon receiving food and drink； however； he revived；
and they learned that he had been left to die by his cruel master； an
Amalekite belonging to the invading force。 He told the story of the raid and
pillage； and then； having exacted a promise that he should not be slain or
delivered to his master； he consented to lead David's company to the camp of
their enemies。
As they came in sight of the encampment a scene of revelry met their gaze。
The victorious host were holding high festival。 〃They were spread abroad
upon all the earth； eating and drinking； and dancing； because of all the
great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines； and out
of the land of Judah。〃 An immediate attack was ordered； and the pursuers
rushed fiercely upon their prey。 The Amalekites were surprised and thrown
into confusion。 The battle was continued all that night and the following
day； until nearly the entire host was slain。 Only a band of four hundred
men； mounted upon camels； succeeded in making their escape。 The word of the
Lord was fulfilled。 〃David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried
away： and David rescued his two wives。 And there was nothing lacking to
them； neither small nor great； neither sons nor daughters； neither spoil；
nor anything that they had taken to them： David recovered all。〃
When David had invaded the territory of the Amalekites； he had put to the
sword all the inhabitants that fell into his hands。
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But for the restraining power of God the Amalekites would have retaliated by
destroying the people of Ziklag。 They decided to spare the captives；
desiring to heighten the honor of the triumph by leading home a large number
of prisoners； and intending afterward to sell them as slaves。 Thus；
unwittingly； they fulfilled God's purpose； keeping the prisoners unharmed；
to be restored to their husbands and fathers。
All earthly powers are under the control of the Infinite One。 To the
mightiest ruler； to the most cruel oppressor； He says； 〃Hitherto shalt thou
come； but no further。〃 Job 38：11。 God's power is constantly exercised to
counteract the agencies of evil； He is ever at work among men； not for their
destruction； but for their correction and preservation。
With great rejoicing the victors took up their homeward march。 Upon reaching
their companions who had remained behind； the more selfish and unruly of the
four hundred urged that those who had had no part in the battle should not
share the spoils； that it was enough for them to recover each his wife and
children。 But David would permit no such arrangement。 〃Ye shall not do so；
my brethren；〃 he said； 〃with that which the Lord hath given us。 。 。 。 As his
part is that goeth down to the battle； so shall his part be that tarrieth by
the stuff； they shall part alike。〃 Thus the matter was settled； and it
afterward became a statute in Israel that all who were honorably connected
with a military campaign should share the spoils equally with those who
engaged in actual combat。
Besides recovering all the spoil that had been taken from Ziklag； David and
his band had captured extensive flocks and herds belonging to the
Amalekites。 These were called 〃David's spoil；〃 and upon returning to Ziklag；
he sent from this spoil presents to the elders of his own tribe of Judah。 In
this distribution all those were remembered who had befriended him and his
followers in the mountain fastnesses； when he had been forced to flee from
place to place for his life。 Their kindness and sympathy； so precious to the
hunted fugitive； were thus gratefully acknowledged。
It was the third day since David and his warriors returned to Ziklag。 As
they labored to restore their ruined homes； they watched with anxious hearts
for tidings of the battle which they
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knew must have been fought between Israel and the Phili