Aloha Dearest Family,
Today we will revisit a record in the life of David and the city where he lived, Ziklag. This is a story of disaster and devastation but also of joyous victory because of the decision of one courageous man. This record also stands as one of life’s great lessons.
At this time in his life David was living among the Philistines. Because of the relentless pursuit of King Saul to try and kill him, David decided to flee to the land of the Philistines for safety and he is given the city of Ziklag by one of the Kings of the Philistines. In the course of time, the Philistines go out to fight against Israel. David also shows up for the battle but because the leaders of the Philistines do not where David’s allegiances lie, they send him back home to Ziklag.
But what they don’t know is that while they were away the Amalekites had come through the region and ransacked the city,
“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.” (I Samuel 30:1-3)
What a disaster! Not only was their city burnt down but their wives, sons and daughters had been taken away captive. How would you have felt? It is recorded how these men felt.
“David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 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:..” (Verses 4 -6a).
The situation was becoming desperate for David because not only was he grieving for his wives that were taken but his own men were getting ready to stone him to death.
What David does next turns this situation around and leads him down the path to total victory. “..but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” This was the first step to victory for David and also leaves an example for us all to follow. In spite of this stressful and dire situation, David did what he had always done in times of trouble- he reminded himself of who his God was. God had also helped him in the past and He could be relied upon to help in this situation as well.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” (Psalm 46:1 and 2) (Also see Psalm18:2)
After strengthening himself in God’s Words, David then goes to God for guidance. He asks God if he should pursue these raiders. God tells him to go after them and tells David that he would recover all that was taken. This is all David needs to hear. He immediately departs with his men to go after this troop. With God on their side total victory was attained.
“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.” (I Samuel 30:1-3)
What a disaster! Not only was their city burnt down but their wives, sons and daughters had been taken away captive. How would you have felt? It is recorded how these men felt.
“David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 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:..” (Verses 4 -6a).
The situation was becoming desperate for David because not only was he grieving for his wives that were taken but his own men were getting ready to stone him to death.
What David does next turns this situation around and leads him down the path to total victory. “..but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” This was the first step to victory for David and also leaves an example for us all to follow. In spite of this stressful and dire situation, David did what he had always done in times of trouble- he reminded himself of who his God was. God had also helped him in the past and He could be relied upon to help in this situation as well.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” (Psalm 46:1 and 2) (Also see Psalm18:2)
After strengthening himself in God’s Words, David then goes to God for guidance. He asks God if he should pursue these raiders. God tells him to go after them and tells David that he would recover all that was taken. This is all David needs to hear. He immediately departs with his men to go after this troop. With God on their side total victory was attained.
“David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled. David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying,“This is David’s plunder.” (I Samuel 30:17-20) David and his men not only recovered all that was taken from them, but also collected the spoil that the raiders had taken from other cities as well.
What lesson can we, in this modern age, take away from this record that happened so long ago? First of all, God has not changed. The same kind of results David saw in his day we can experience in our lives. Second, David had already built a personal relationship with God by the time of Ziklag. When we walk and talk with God on a daily basis we can be confidant that God can and will help us. Distressing situations will arise at times in our lives and when they do we must “encourage ourselves” in our Heavenly Father. We must remind ourselves of all the things that He has done for us and how powerful He can be when we trust in Him. Thirdly, we must go to Him for guidance of what to do. And if we don’t receive an answer right away, keep asking until the answer comes. And lastly, when God does tell us what do to, we must follow His instruction. Then victory in our situation is assured. Remember that God wants us to succeed even more than we do. He’s our Father and He loves us dearly.
This story is one for the ages. It should be used as a rallying cry, like “Remember the Maine” or “Remember the Alamo”. Remember Ziklag! (it rolls right off the tongue).
Love Always, Ray
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