1 Samuel 30 6

1 Samuel 30:6 kjv

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 nkjv

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 niv

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 esv

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 nlt

David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 30:6 describes King David at a point of profound personal and leadership crisis. Having returned to Ziklag to find it destroyed and their families captured by the Amalekites, his own men, in their deep grief and bitterness, contemplated stoning him, effectively holding him responsible for the catastrophe. Amidst this existential threat from his own followers and the immense personal sorrow, David's response was to consciously and actively "strengthen himself in the LORD his God," turning to his divine covenant partner for courage and resilience in his most desperate hour. This verse encapsulates David's rock-bottom despair and his pivot towards profound faith and trust in God, distinguishing his leadership and faith.

1 Samuel 30 6 Context

The events of 1 Samuel 30 occur at a critical juncture in David's life. He has been living as a mercenary under Achish, king of Gath, in Philistine territory for over a year, fleeing from Saul. Achish trusts David enough to let him lead a raid with the Philistine forces, but at the last minute, other Philistine commanders dismiss David, fearing he might turn against them in battle (1 Sam 29). As David and his men return from the Philistine battle staging ground, they arrive at Ziklag, the city Achish had given to David, to find it completely razed by an Amalekite raid. Their wives, sons, and daughters, along with all their possessions, have been captured, leaving nothing but devastation.

The prior verse (1 Sam 30:5) notes that "David's two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow, had been taken captive." This adds a personal layer to David's grief, as he too had lost his family. The subsequent verses describe the overwhelming lamentation of David and his men until they had no strength left to weep (1 Sam 30:4). It is within this profound collective despair, loss, and exhaustion, compounded by the very real threat of his own enraged men, that 1 Samuel 30:6 takes place. This specific moment defines David's unique capacity for spiritual resilience when faced with overwhelming odds and severe personal trials.

1 Samuel 30 6 Word analysis

• And David was greatly distressed;
  • David: The future King of Israel, currently an outcast and military leader.
  • was greatly distressed: Hebrew: וַיֵּצֶר לְדָוִד מְאֹד (vayyetzer leDavid me'od). "Yetzer" (צַר) means "narrow" or "restricted," conveying intense affliction, tightness, and a feeling of being hemmed in without escape. The "me'od" (מְאֹד), "greatly" or "very," amplifies the profound nature of his anguish. It suggests a situation of being truly "between a rock and a hard place."
• for the people spake of stoning him,
  • the people: Refers to David's own loyal followers, numbering about 600 men, who had been with him through various exiles and battles. This highlights the severity of their desperation and his leadership crisis.
  • spake of stoning him: Hebrew: דִבֶּר הָעָם לְסָקְלוֹ (dibber ha'am lesoklo). "Liskol" (לִסְקֹל) means "to stone." Stoning was a severe form of execution, often associated with rebellion, blasphemy, or capital offenses in Israel. This wasn't just idle talk; it represented a genuine, desperate, and potentially immediate threat to David's life and leadership. The implied accusation was that David, as their leader, was responsible for the catastrophe that befell them.
• because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters:
  • the soul of all the people was grieved: Hebrew: מָרָה נֶפֶשׁ כָּל-הָעָם (marah nefesh kol-ha'am). "Marah" (מָרָה) means "bitter" (root is מרר - marar). "Nefesh" (נֶפֶשׁ) typically translated as "soul," often represents the totality of one's being, including emotions, will, and inner vitality. So, "their soul was bitter" means they were utterly overwhelmed by sorrow, frustration, and resentment, consuming their very core. This bitterness drove their desire for immediate, severe retribution against their leader.
  • every man for his sons and for his daughters: Emphasizes the intensely personal and widespread nature of their loss and grief. The capture of family members was the deepest possible blow to their familial and tribal identity.
• but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
  • but: This conjunction marks a sharp contrast, a turning point from utter despair to decisive spiritual action.
  • David encouraged himself: Hebrew: וַיִּתְחַזֵּק דָּוִד (vayyithazzeq David). This is the Hithpael (reflexive-reciprocal) stem of the root "חזק" (chazaq), meaning "to be strong," "to make firm," or "to take hold." The Hithpael form indicates a deliberate, active, and resolute effort on David's part to strengthen himself. It's not passive comfort but an internal act of resolve and drawing upon an external power. He wasn't waiting to feel strong, but he acted to become strong through a conscious spiritual discipline.
  • in the LORD his God: Hebrew: בַּיהוָה אֱלֹהָיו (baYahweh Elohav). "LORD" (Yahweh) is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His relational and unchanging nature. "his God" (Elohav) highlights David's personal, covenantal relationship with the living God. This phrase identifies the source and means of David's strength: it was not through his own resolve, leadership skills, or military might, but by intentionally connecting with and drawing upon the strength and faithfulness of Yahweh, his personal God. This distinguishes David from human leaders who might despair or turn to pagan deities or political schemes in similar crises. It underscores a radical dependence on God in the face of insurmountable human odds.

1 Samuel 30 6 Bonus section

The specific phrase "encouraged himself in the LORD his God" is pivotal for understanding David's character and his later reign. It reveals that David's strength was fundamentally rooted in his personal relationship with Yahweh. This relationship wasn't theoretical; it was the active, sustaining power in his life. David's act of "strengthening himself" (Hithpael of chazaq) involved recalling past deliverances, focusing on God's covenant promises, and likely engaging in prayer or communion with God, perhaps even inquiring of the LORD through Abiathar the priest who later consulted the ephod (1 Sam 30:7-8). This action laid the foundation for his ability to quickly pivot from personal despair and external threat to decisive action, which led to the full recovery of their families and possessions, as detailed in the subsequent verses. This demonstrates a core principle of Old Testament faith: genuine reliance on God equips individuals not just to survive, but to prevail in overwhelming circumstances, setting a standard for God-honoring leadership and personal spiritual discipline.

1 Samuel 30 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:6 captures a profound moment of crisis and spiritual resilience in David's life. Facing utter personal devastation and the immediate threat of death by his own despondent and embittered followers, David reaches his lowest point. This is not mere disappointment but deep distress, an experience of being "hemmed in" by circumstances. The threat of stoning from his loyal men demonstrates the severity of their grief, turning their focus from their enemies to their leader in an act of desperation and misplaced blame. Yet, amidst this nadir, David does not wallow in despair, nor does he lash out in anger or self-pity.

Instead, David takes a deliberate and transformative spiritual action: he "encouraged himself in the LORD his God." The Hebrew verb "vayyithazzeq" indicates an active, conscious, and resolute effort to draw strength from his covenant relationship with Yahweh. This wasn't a sudden burst of emotion but a deliberate act of recalling God's past faithfulness, meditating on His promises, and anchoring his soul in divine truth, rather than reacting to his devastating circumstances or the anger of the crowd.

This act showcases David's distinct spiritual leadership, contrasting sharply with Saul's often impulsive and God-less reactions to adversity. David's response models how to confront extreme adversity: acknowledging the reality of suffering, understanding the pain of others, but then actively seeking strength and perspective from God alone. It speaks to the power of vertical focus—looking up to God—when all horizontal human avenues seem closed or dangerous. This deliberate spiritual exercise allowed David to move from paralysis to prayer and, ultimately, to strategic action and successful recovery of all that was lost. It’s a powerful demonstration of faith, resilience, and true dependence on God in the face of overwhelming odds.

Examples for practical usage:

• Acknowledging deep distress: It's okay to feel overwhelmed and deeply grieved in trials, just as David was.
• Resisting bitterness and blaming: Despite external pressure or personal pain, turn inward to God rather than outward in blame.
• Actively seeking strength in God: Like David, we must actively draw strength from prayer, scripture, and remembering God's faithfulness, rather than waiting for feelings of strength to emerge.
• Turning crisis into a call to faith: Difficult circumstances can become opportunities to deepen one's trust and reliance on the LORD, fostering spiritual resilience.