1 Samuel 30 9

1 Samuel 30:9 kjv

So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

1 Samuel 30:9 nkjv

So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind.

1 Samuel 30:9 niv

David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Valley, where some stayed behind.

1 Samuel 30:9 esv

So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.

1 Samuel 30:9 nlt

So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor.

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 9 Meaning

David, with his six hundred loyal men, embarked on the immediate pursuit of the Amalekite raiders as instructed by the Lord. This verse describes their journey to the Brook Besor, a geographical landmark and natural barrier where two hundred of his men, physically exhausted and unable to proceed, had to remain behind. It signifies the point where the human limitations of David’s army became apparent, leading to a crucial division in the pursuit party, yet setting the stage for a demonstration of God's power and David's leadership.

1 Samuel 30 9 Context

Chapter 30 of 1 Samuel opens with a profound crisis for David and his men. While they were away with the Philistine army, the Amalekites raided their home city, Ziklag, burning it down and carrying off their wives, sons, and daughters. David and his men, upon their return, found their city destroyed and their families gone. The men were distraught, weeping until they had no more strength, and in their bitterness, they even spoke of stoning David.

In this moment of extreme despair, David "strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (v. 6). He sought God's counsel through Abiathar the priest and the ephod, asking if he should pursue the raiders and if he would overtake them. The Lord immediately answered with a resounding "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and shall surely rescue all" (v. 8).

Verse 9 is the direct and immediate execution of God's command. David does not delay; he rises and leads his 600 men on the arduous pursuit. The Brook Besor (נַחַל בְּסוֹר - Nahal Besor) marked the southern border of Philistia and served as a significant geographical obstacle. This place revealed the limits of human endurance, as two hundred of David’s men, worn out by the intense distress and march, were compelled to stop. This moment of human exhaustion sets the stage for David’s subsequent decree regarding the sharing of the spoil (1 Sam 30:21-25), demonstrating principles of grace and inclusivity for those who support the mission, even if they cannot directly participate in every phase of the fight.

1 Samuel 30 9 Word analysis

• So David went (וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִיד - vayyelech Dawid):
  • "So David went": Implies immediate and obedient action. Following directly from God's affirmative answer in verse 8, David does not hesitate but embarks on the challenging pursuit. This highlights his faith and decisiveness as a leader in a desperate situation. His previous strength in the Lord (v. 6) directly translates into active obedience.
• he and the six hundred men:
  • "he": Refers to David, emphasizing his personal leadership and presence at the forefront.
  • "the six hundred men": This number is a consistent representation of David's loyal band throughout his fugitive years (e.g., 1 Sam 23:13, 1 Sam 27:2). It signifies the core of his loyal followers who stayed with him through thick and thin, though their human limits would soon be revealed.
• who were with him:
  • Signifies their allegiance and shared commitment, reinforcing their role as David's trusted companions and soldiers, though they are about to face a physical challenge that divides them.
• and came to the brook Besor (וַיָּבֹא אֶל־נַחַל בְּסוֹר - vayyavo el-Nachal Besor):
  • "came to": Denotes arrival at a specific destination after traveling, implying significant effort and distance covered.
  • "brook Besor": The Hebrew word nachal (נַחַל) means "wadi" or "torrent valley," often a dry riverbed in the dry season but potentially a rushing torrent during rains, making crossing difficult. It was a well-known geographical feature in the southern parts of Judah and likely marked a natural boundary. Its significance here is as a place of natural exhaustion and separation. This physical barrier reflects a spiritual testing ground.
• where those who were left behind stayed:
  • "those who were left behind": This passive voice highlights the men's inability to continue, not a deliberate choice to abandon the pursuit. It was due to sheer physical exhaustion (as explicitly stated in 1 Sam 30:10 and 21).
  • "stayed": Implies they stopped due to incapacitation, underscoring their severe fatigue. This critical moment demonstrates the reality of human limitations, even among brave warriors, and paves the way for a crucial lesson on sharing in the spoil later in the chapter, underscoring God's principle of generosity for those unable to actively fight.

1 Samuel 30 9 Bonus section

This verse offers profound insights into biblical leadership. David, while relying on divine strength (1 Sam 30:6) and guidance (1 Sam 30:8), also demonstrated a pragmatic understanding of his men's human capacities. The recognition that some men were too exhausted to continue at the Brook Besor (נַחַל בְּסוֹר) foreshadows David's just and merciful decision regarding the sharing of spoil later in the chapter (1 Sam 30:21-25). This teaches that effective leadership involves not only spiritual direction and courage in pursuit but also compassion and wisdom in managing the human limitations and varied capacities of those being led. It subtly introduces the concept that contributions to a divine mission can come in various forms, not solely through direct physical engagement in the battle.

1 Samuel 30 9 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:9 encapsulates a moment of immediate obedience following divine guidance, coupled with a practical recognition of human limitations. After seeking and receiving direct instruction from the Lord, David does not delay; his unwavering faith translates into decisive action as he leads his forces on a grueling pursuit. The journey to the Brook Besor, a physically demanding endeavor, acts as a filter, exposing the physical limits of two hundred of his six hundred men. This is not a judgment against their loyalty or bravery but an acknowledgment of natural exhaustion. This pivotal point sets the stage for a critical teaching moment regarding leadership and community responsibility when David later ensures that those who were too weak to fight still shared in the spoils (1 Sam 30:21-25), demonstrating a divine principle of inclusivity and grace that transcends mere combat performance.