1 Samuel 30 8

1 Samuel 30:8 kjv

And David inquired 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 nkjv

So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all."

1 Samuel 30:8 niv

and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue."

1 Samuel 30:8 esv

And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?" He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue."

1 Samuel 30:8 nlt

Then David asked the LORD, "Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?" And the LORD told him, "Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!"

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 8 Meaning

The verse 1 Samuel 30:8 portrays a critical moment where David, in deep distress after the Amalekites raided Ziklag and captured his family and the families of his men, turns directly to the Lord for guidance. Despite overwhelming despair among his men, David strengthened himself in God. He specifically sought divine permission regarding two critical military actions: whether to pursue the raiding Amalekite troop and whether he would successfully recover everything lost. The Lord, in an immediate and unequivocal response, commanded David to pursue and assured him with absolute certainty that he would not only overtake them but would "without fail recover all" that had been taken. This response demonstrates God's sovereignty, His provision for His chosen servant, and the importance of seeking divine direction in times of crisis.

1 Samuel 30 8 Context

Chapter 30 of 1 Samuel finds David and his six hundred men in a devastating situation. After leaving Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, David and his men returned to their city, Ziklag, only to find it burned to the ground and their wives, sons, and daughters taken captive by the Amalekites. This tragic event pushed David and his men to the brink of despair, so much so that David's own loyal followers contemplated stoning him due to their intense grief. It was in this moment of utter despondency that David, demonstrating a deep-rooted faith despite his recent precarious alliances, "strengthened himself in the Lord his God." The immediate preceding verses (1 Sam 30:7) show David calling for Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod, which contained the Urim and Thummim, tools for seeking God's direct guidance. Thus, verse 8 follows a profound personal crisis and David's intentional decision to rely on divine wisdom rather than human emotion or strategic analysis alone. This pivotal inquiry and God's clear response set the stage for David's successful recovery operation and further solidified his path toward becoming king of Israel, contrasting sharply with Saul's decreasing reliance on the Lord.

1 Samuel 30 8 Word analysis

• And David inquired: The Hebrew verb is `שאול` (sha'al), meaning "to ask, to inquire, to consult." This signifies a deliberate act of seeking divine counsel, not an impulsive decision based on human emotion or strategic thinking alone. It highlights David's humility and dependence on God in a dire crisis, reflecting his character as "a man after God's own heart." This was a formal consultation, facilitated by the priest Abiathar and the ephod (1 Sam 30:7), indicating the Urim and Thummim were likely used to ascertain God's will.
• of the Lord: The Hebrew `יהוה` (YHWH), the covenant name of God. This indicates that David sought guidance directly from the true God of Israel, distinguishing Him from any pagan deities or sources of divination used by surrounding nations. It emphasizes a personal, covenantal relationship and reliance on the ultimate divine authority.
• saying: Implies direct, audible communication, framing the questions for the divine oracle.
• "Shall I pursue: The Hebrew verb `רָדַף` (radaph) means "to chase, to pursue, to follow." This question is a tactical one, seeking permission and divine affirmation for the military operation against the raiders. It wasn't a question of capability but divine approval.
• after this troop?: Refers to the Amalekite band that had ransacked Ziklag. It pinpoints the specific target of the pursuit.
• "Shall I overtake them?": The Hebrew verb `נָשִׂיג` (nasag) means "to overtake, to reach, to attain." This second question is crucial for understanding the potential for success and complete recovery. It shows David's desire not just to engage but to succeed fully in recovering his people and possessions.
• And He answered him: The Hebrew `וַיַּעַן` (vaya'an) denotes a clear, direct, and immediate divine response. It demonstrates God's accessibility and willingness to communicate His will to those who seek Him sincerely.
• "Pursue: A direct command, a divine imperative. It's more than permission; it's an instruction with the backing of divine authority, indicating that the action aligns with God's will and purpose.
• for you shall surely overtake them: The Hebrew phrase uses an infinitive absolute construction: `כִּי הַשֵּׂג תַּשִּׂיג` (ki hasseg tassig), literally "for overtaking you shall overtake." This is a powerful grammatical form in Hebrew used for emphasis and absolute certainty. It conveys an unequivocal promise of success – not merely a possibility, but a guaranteed outcome by God Himself.
• and without fail recover all": Similarly, another infinitive absolute construction: `הַצֵּל תַּצִּיל` (hatstsel tatthstil), literally "rescuing you shall rescue/recover," followed by `כֹּל` (kol), meaning "all" or "whole." This expresses absolute certainty of full restoration and recovery. Every lost person and possession would be reclaimed, confirming God's ability to bring complete reversal to a catastrophic situation.

• "David inquired of the Lord": This phrase encapsulates David's unwavering dependence on God, contrasting sharply with Saul's decline. It highlights the importance of seeking divine counsel, especially in times of extreme personal and communal distress, demonstrating David's character as a spiritual leader.
• "Shall I pursue... Shall I overtake them?": These two questions reveal David's methodical approach in seeking God's will regarding military strategy. He isn't asking "should I fight?", but rather "should I go on this specific mission," and "will it be successful in the full sense of the word?" This showcases prudent and prayerful leadership.
• "He answered him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all'": This divine response is characterized by its clarity and absolute assurance. The repetition of the verbs "overtake" and "recover" through the infinitive absolute emphasizes the certain success promised by God. This is not merely an opinion or a prediction but a divine decree, guaranteeing the outcome and removing any doubt for David and his demoralized men. It signifies God's complete control and power to restore what was lost.

1 Samuel 30 8 Bonus section

• The incident in Ziklag and God's response to David served as a significant preparatory step for his eventual kingship over all Israel. It demonstrated to his men, and implicitly to all of Israel later, that David was a leader who consistently sought and received God's direction, a trait notably absent in King Saul during his latter reign.
• The Amalekites were ancient, persistent enemies of Israel, often seen as symbols of persistent opposition to God's people (as prophesied in Ex 17:14-16 and Deut 25:17-19). David's successful and comprehensive defeat of them here, sanctioned and guaranteed by God, serves as a mini-fulfillment of this divine decree against them. It highlights a recurring biblical theme where God equips His servants to overcome historical or spiritual adversaries.
• The use of the ephod with the Urim and Thummim, though not explicitly mentioned here as such, was the established priestly means for seeking divine 'yes' or 'no' answers or specific instructions. This highlights a tangible way God communicated with His people in that era, underlining the tangible nature of David's seeking God.

1 Samuel 30 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:8 presents David at a pivotal juncture, illustrating his defining characteristic: unwavering reliance on the Lord. In the face of unimaginable loss and mutiny from his own men, David's first action was not to strategize based on military strength or emotion, but to "strengthen himself in the Lord" and seek divine counsel through the High Priest Abiathar. This moment stands as a powerful contrast to King Saul, who frequently acted without divine consultation or rejected God's commands, ultimately leading to his downfall.

God's answer to David was clear, immediate, and utterly reassuring, conveyed with the strongest Hebrew emphatic forms. The divine instruction "Pursue," coupled with the double assurance "you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all," served as an unbreakable guarantee. This promise eliminated all human doubt regarding success, transforming despair into divinely-sanctioned hope and strategic certainty. The complete recovery promised underscored God's faithfulness and sovereignty, indicating that nothing is truly lost when entrusted to Him. This verse teaches the paramount importance of seeking God's direction in every crisis, trusting His certain promises, and believing in His power to restore and fully recover what seems irretrievably lost. It reinforces that true victory and restoration come not from human might or wisdom, but from humble dependence on the Lord.