STS Lesson 226: David’s Victory Over the Amalekites (Youth)

MEMORY VERSE: “And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives” (1 Samuel 30:18).

TEXT: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

David went through many troubles in his life time. In his teenage years, he confronted and killed a lion and a bear. By faith, he faced Goliath and conquered him. He was envied by Saul who later sought to kill him, but God delivered him. In today’s lesson, the Amalekites invaded Ziklag, took their wives and children captives. What a challenging situation!

Question 1: What does recurring troubles in David’s life teach believers?

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). It is good to know that life is full of troubles, so that when it comes, we will not see it as a strange thing. Christ also made it known to His disciples “that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In all the troubles David experienced, God gave him victory. As we manifest faith and trust in God, we will also experience victory. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

1. THE DISTRESS OF DAVID

(1 Samuel 30:1-6; 22:2; Genesis 35:3; Psalms 4:1; 118:5; Job 14:1; John 16:33; Romans 8:35-39)

“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” (verse 1). David was just turned down by the Philistines as he intended to join them to fight the Israelites. It was after this disappointment that they met Ziklag invaded and destroyed. The entire city was burnt and their wives and children taken captives. This was indeed a distressing and helpless situation. However, God did not allow their wives and children to be killed. The Scripture says, “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).

Question 2: How should saved youths respond to distressing situations?

“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep” (verse 4). The condition David and his men faced warranted them to weep. They did not cry because of frustration, disappointment or feeling of a hopeless condition. They wept because of the affection they had for their wives and children. Saved youths should understand that some negative happenings may occur that can make them cry. The Scripture says, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). As the people thought of stoning David in their distress, he encouraged himself to seek God for a solution. “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” (verse 6). This is the surest way of coming out of distressing situations. Christian youth should know that no situation is hopeless and God is readily available to help them out, therefore, they must encourage themselves in the Lord always.

2. THE DISCRETION OF DAVID

(1 Samuel 30:7-17; Matthew 10:16; Psalm 112:5; Proverbs 2:11; 2 Chronicles 15:4; Psalms 20:1; 46:1; 102:2; Daniel 3:17; 2 Corinthians 1:10)

David did not allow the reactions of his men to discourage him from seeking the Lord for solution. “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).

Question 3: What should Christian youths do when in trouble?

David asked God what to do. God told him to go after the enemies with a promise that he will recover all. From here, we learn that born again youths facing life challenges should pray to God. They should also seek counsel from their pastors and mature youth leaders. They should know that God has great interest in them. He promised them deliverance, healing, provision, protection, victory and peace. He said “…call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).

Having heard from God, David went after the Amalekites. There are youths who seek progress but remain at a spot. You cannot make progress by remaining at the same position. You must take a step and you will see that God will direct your path into victory and breakthrough. There was a display of wisdom by David as he sought to recover his wives and children. One, he was wise not to allow his weary men to go with him. When you walk with those who are tired and weary, they could endanger your life. Two, when he met a young fainting boy on his way, he perceived in his heart that he could be useful. He took care of him and was able to gather necessary information needed to recover the losses. How often do we neglect or underrate someone who could be used by God to provide us necessary information that would be of great help to us as we seek success, breakthrough, and victory in life!

“And when he had brought him down, behold, 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” (verse 16). Some of us behave like these Amalekites. When we experience a moment of victory, we celebrate at the wrong time. It was at this moment that David met them unguarded. If they had gone home, possibly, they would not have been overtaken unaware by David. We should not behave as if the battle is over or feel unduly strong. It is when we get to heaven that we can tell all the story of how we overcame. We must be on our guard always if we want God to help us to win in the battle of life. As the Amalekites were celebrating, David and his men came and “smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled” (verse 17).

3. THE DELIVERANCE AND RECOVERY BY DAVID

(1 Samuel 30:18-31; Isaiah 11:11; Genesis 14:12-16; 1 Chronicles 11:14)

David acted according to the directive of the Lord. He got to the camp of the enemies at the right time and smote them. “And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives” (verse 18). Whenever God grants victory or gives deliverance to His children, it is always total and complete. This is because He is the mighty in battle. He has unlimited resources in His armoury to fight and win battles for His children. He is the Lord our Banner, the great I AM THAT I AM. He knows what to do in every situation. Once God is involved in your situation, victory is sure. We have the assurance of the unchangeable nature of God “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Question 4: Are there other saints in the Bible who God granted total deliverance and victory?

There are so many saints in the Bible who God granted victory and deliverance. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was taken captive by “Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations” (Genesis 14:1). Abraham went after them and recovered all. “And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people” (Genesis 14:16). Moses fought against Og and Sihon who stood in their way on their journey to the Promised Land and he had total victory over them. No king in the land of Canaan could stand before Joshua. He fought and subdued all of them by the mighty hand of Jehovah. Samuel, David, Jabez, Hezekiah and others also experienced divine intervention in their lives. Therefore, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4).

Question 5: How did David and his men celebrate their victory over the enemies?

After the victory, David and his men shared the booty of their enemies. In sharing the booty, some of the men who went to war with David insisted that those who did not go should not receive anything. But David instructed them to make all to have equal share. “For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike” (verse 24). This is fairness. This became a law in Israel. How considerate and fair are you? Are you like the selfish sons of Belial? True believers are known in situations like this. Are you selfless, fair and honest in your dealings with people? Can you do business with others with an open mind?

As for David, a man after the heart of God, he shared the spoils with those men who could not go to war; and sent gifts to many people in the land of Israel (verses 26-31). Learn how to share with others, especially with people of like precious faith. Do not fail also to take care of the poor. “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth” (Deuteronomy 15:7,8). Also note that “I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).