Audio Download

1 Samuel 30:16–31 David’s Wives Captured by the Amalekites, Part 2

[Study Aired August 31, 2026]

In the previous study, we saw the pains that David and his men went through when the Amalekites took away their wives, children and their livestock and how the Lord assured David that he would recover everything that was taken. The study for today highlights the battle of David and his men against the Amalekites, when they found them celebrating the bounty they had taken from many cities, including that of David and his men. 

They fought the Amalekites from the sunrise until the sunset, defeated them and retrieved all their wives, children and their belongings which were taken by the Amalekites. The study ends with the distribution of the bounty from the Amalekites. 

David Defeats the Amalekites

1Sa 30:16  And when he had brought him down, behold, they [Amalekites] 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. 

In the previous study, it was mentioned that David and his men met an Egyptian during their pursuit of the Amalekites, who had taken captive the wives of David and his men and their livestock. 

1Sa 30:11  And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; 

This Egyptian represents the people of this world whom the Lord uses to help us His elect, to come to know more about our flesh (Amalekites) and to war against the flesh. The fact that these Amalekites had taken from David and his men, their wives and livestock, implies that we are overcome by our flesh before we are given to war against it. 

We can see here in verse 16 that when the Egyptian led David and his men to the Amalekites, they found them spread abroad upon all the earth. This is to show us that our flesh has been given power over all the kindred and tongues and nations.  

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

One of the key characteristics of those overcome by the flesh is their focus on eating, drinking and making merry as we see the Amalekites eating, drinking and dancing because of the great spoil, as shown in verse 16. 

Luk 12:15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 
Luk 12:16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 
Luk 12:17  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 
Luk 12:18  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

The great spoil being taken from the land of the Philistines and out of the land of Judah signifies how the people of this world and the church system of this world or Babylon, of which we were part at a certain stage of our walk, have all been taken captive by the flesh. 

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 
Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear.  

1Sa 30:17  And David 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. 

Through the suffering we go through, our flesh is destroyed. The fact that David smote the Amalekites from sunrise to the evening of the next day means that it took about two days to destroy the Amalekites. The number two signifies being a witness. This implies that it takes the whole life of an elect as a witness, to overcome the flesh which is signified by the Amalekites. 

Isa 22:13  And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die. 
Isa 22:14  And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 

As shown here in Isaiah 22:14, we are told that iniquity is only destroyed through the death of the flesh. The iniquity mentioned relates to having enjoyment as our goal in this life. This runs contrary to the life of suffering that is marked out for the Lord’s elect in this age. Let’s look at the Lord Jesus’ example. We can see that He learned obedience by the things which He suffered in this life. As He is, so are we. Our calling is therefore not a life of enjoyment. It is a life of sacrifice as we offer our bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 
Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

It is worth noting that four hundred young men who rode camels escaped the sword of David and his men. This is to let us know that although the influence of our flesh may be destroyed in our lives, we still bear our flesh until death. The destruction of our flesh through the Lord’s judgment refers to the destruction of our sinful desires. However, the physical flesh is only destroyed through physical death. All humanity, except the Lord’s elect, shall be judged during the second resurrection because they still retain the carnal mind of the flesh, which is destroyed through judgment.   

If we remain in this life when Christ appears, we shall be changed as our physical flesh shall be completely destroyed and shall put on a body just like Christ’s body. That is when the incorruptible shall put on incorruption.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 
1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

1Sa 30:18  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. 
1Sa 30:19  And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. 

David recovering all that the Amalekites took away is to remind us that when we go through the fire, the Lord shall preserve us together with all that is of our interest.

Isa 43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isa 43:2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 
Isa 43:3  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Isa 43:4  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

The story of Job, who lost everything as he went through the Lord’s judgment, is a reminder to us that the Lord is indeed, a restorer. It may seem at the time of our trial that we have lost it all, but in the fullness of time, the Lord will surely show up. To my brothers and sisters all over the world who are going through all kinds of challenges regarding their physical bodies, resources to live, their relationships, etc., the Lord has not forsaken us. He will surely come to our aid at the right time. 

Job 42:10  And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.  
Job 42:12  So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
Job 42:13  He had also seven sons and three daughters. 
Job 42:14  And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. 
Job 42:15  And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.  

The Distribution of the Spoil

1Sa 30:20  And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil. 

In the ancient times, there was always the bounty that comes to the victor in the battlefield. That is why we are urged by the Lord that we shall reap if we do not faint. 

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

The well doing here in Galatians 6:9 also refers to our patience in suffering, which comes with a reward. David’s spoil represents our reward if we are able to overcome our flesh in this age. This spoil is the joy that was set before Jesus, which was a motivating factor in His desire to endure the cross. It is also what motivated Moses to leave the comfort of his palace in Egypt to lead the people of the Lord in the wilderness journey. 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 
Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

1Sa 30:21  And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. 
1Sa 30:22  Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. 

As indicated in the previous study, the two hundred men left behind together with the four hundred that went to war with David against the Amalekites, all represent the Lord’s elect. The fact that the two hundred men were not able to go to war but stayed at the brook of Besor because they were faint and could not go beyond the brook, means that we are all given different capabilities as the Lord’s elect. 

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 
Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 
Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  

In the final analysis, we all receive the same reward as shown to us by the Lord in the Book of Revelation chapters 1 and 2, where those who overcome shall be rewarded.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

As shown in 1 Samuel 30:22, when we are carnal, we think just like the people of this world, who equate reward with their own strength or effort as we see the wicked and Belial men not wanting to share the same reward with the two hundred men left at the brook of Basor. 

1Sa 30:23  Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. 
1Sa 30:24  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. 
1Sa 30:25  And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day. 

In verse 23, David stated that their victory over the Amalekites was due to the Lord’s intervention as He preserved them and delivered them from the hands of the Amalekites. As we are aware, if our victory is by our own effort, then we deserve to be rewarded according to our efforts. However, everything that we do is of the Lord, and therefore it is not by our effort. That is why we all must receive the same reward. 

Luk 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 

1Ti 5:18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Here in verses 24 and 25, David told his men that the share of those who went to battle must be the same as those who stayed by the baggage. It became a decree in Israel governing the spoil from victories won over their enemies. This reflects the mind of Christ concerning His reward for His elect. The fact that we are all going to receive the same reward should not be a disincentive to us to stop working in the Lord’s vineyard, thinking that after all, we all shall receive the same reward. 

As we can see from the parable of the talents, it is the one who had one talent who thought that he does not have much to offer and therefore concealed what he had. As a result, he did not receive any reward. This must be a warning to us, His elect, that we should not think that we do not have something to offer the body of Christ. 

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

1Sa 30:26  And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD; 
1Sa 30:27  To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir, 
1Sa 30:28  And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, 
1Sa 30:29  And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
1Sa 30:30  And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach, 
1Sa 30:31  And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt. 

In these verses above, we see David sending the spoil to the elders of Judah and his friends. It is instructive to note that all the cities mentioned in verses 27 to 31, where David sent the spoil were cities in Judah. This is to show us that in the fullness of time, our victory as the Lord’s elect shall result in the relief or salvation of our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world or Babylon. Therefore, we, His elect, represented by David are the saviors of the world or the sons of God which shall be revealed to the world in the fulness of time. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

Rom 8:19  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 
Rom 8:20  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 
Rom 8:21  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 
Rom 8:23  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

It is important to note that from the word of the Lord, our brothers and sisters in Babylon shall be the last on the line to be saved.

Eze 16:55  When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate. 

May His name be praised for His wonderful plan of salvation. Amen!!