Amalekites Invade Ziklag and David Is Victorious

Having left the gathering of Philistine forces at Aphek, David and his troops march the 50 miles back south to Ziklag—about a two-day march, and they arrive the third day (verse 1). Upon returning, they find that the city has been invaded by the Amalekites. Why God has allowed this to happen is not revealed. Perhaps it is to bring further destruction upon the Amalekites. Perhaps it is to keep David from returning north to aid the Israelites against the Philistines. Whatever the case, God does allow it to happen and once again shows His mercy and power to David. Here's what we do know: 1) Instead of acting out of vengeance and anger, David appeals to God for an answer. 2) God delivers everything back to David—plus enough spoils to share with more than a dozen cities that David has frequented. 3) David's mercy is also evident as the spoils are shared with the men who were willing but not able to continue the journey to fight the Amalekites, to the dismay of others referred to as "wicked men" or, literally, "men of Belial."

Don't forget, when David was anointed to be the next king of Israel by Samuel, the Spirit of God came on him "from that day forward" (1 Samuel 16:13). As long as David stays close to God and appeals to Him, the fruit of that Spirit is evident. But there are also times, as with all of us, when David uses his own carnal reasoning (compare Romans 8:7). And as is also the case with all of us, he and many others suffer pain and futility due to such reasoning and the wrong actions that flow from it.

Through the ups and downs, good and evil, blessing and curses that we read of David, we can conclude David's ultimate destiny, not by our reasoning alone but through the inspired Word of God. It reveals that after the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, the people of Israel will once again be united as one nation, and David will be their king (Ezekiel 37:22-24).