Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." So Abiathar brought it to him, Then David saidThis phrase marks a pivotal moment of leadership and decision-making. David, who is often seen as a man after God's own heart, takes initiative in a time of crisis. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies not just speaking, but a declaration or command. This reflects David's role as a leader who seeks divine guidance, setting an example for believers to turn to God in times of distress. to Abiathar the priest
Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, is a significant figure in David's life. As a priest, he represents the spiritual authority and connection to God. Historically, Abiathar is the sole survivor of the massacre of the priests at Nob, which adds depth to his relationship with David. This connection underscores the importance of seeking counsel from those who are spiritually mature and have a deep relationship with God. the son of Ahimelech
This phrase provides a genealogical context, linking Abiathar to his father, Ahimelech, who was a priest serving under King Saul. The mention of Ahimelech serves as a reminder of the tragic events at Nob (1 Samuel 22), where Saul ordered the death of the priests. It highlights the continuity of God's priestly line and the resilience of faith amidst persecution. Please bring me the ephod
The ephod is a priestly garment associated with seeking God's will. In the Hebrew context, the ephod (אֵפוֹד, 'ephod) was used in divination and seeking divine guidance. David's request for the ephod signifies his desire to know God's direction. It is a powerful reminder for believers to seek God's guidance through prayer and scripture, especially when faced with difficult decisions. So Abiathar brought it to him
Abiathar's compliance indicates his support and trust in David's leadership. This act of bringing the ephod symbolizes the cooperation between spiritual and temporal leadership. It also reflects the importance of obedience and readiness to serve in God's plan. For believers, it is a call to be prepared to act in faith and support those who lead with integrity and seek God's will. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, who at this time was leading his men in battle and facing a crisis after the Amalekites raided Ziklag. 2. AbiatharThe priest, son of Ahimelech, who served David. He was the only survivor of the massacre of the priests at Nob and had fled to David for safety. 3. EphodA priestly garment used for seeking God's guidance. In this context, it was used by David to inquire of the Lord. 4. ZiklagA town given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was raided and burned by the Amalekites while David and his men were away. 5. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe that frequently opposed Israel. They had attacked Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the city. Teaching Points Seeking Divine GuidanceDavid's request for the ephod highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis. As believers, we should prioritize prayer and seeking God's will in our decisions. Role of Spiritual LeadersAbiathar's presence and role remind us of the importance of spiritual leaders who can guide us in seeking God's direction. We should value and seek counsel from those who are spiritually mature. Faith in ActionDavid's immediate action to seek God's guidance demonstrates faith in action. In our lives, faith should lead us to actively seek God's will and then move forward in obedience. God's Faithfulness in CrisisThe context of this verse shows God's faithfulness to David even in dire situations. We can trust that God is with us and will guide us through our challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to the crisis at Ziklag demonstrate his faith and leadership? How can we apply this in our own leadership roles? 2. In what ways can we seek God's guidance in our daily lives, and how does the use of the ephod by David inspire us to do so? 3. What role do spiritual leaders play in helping us discern God's will, and how can we support and seek guidance from them? 4. How does the account of David and the ephod connect with other instances in the Bible where individuals sought God's guidance? What can we learn from these examples? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a crisis. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? How can this experience encourage you in future challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 28:30Describes the use of the ephod and the Urim and Thummim for seeking God's will, providing context for David's request to Abiathar. 1 Samuel 23:9-12Another instance where David uses the ephod to seek God's guidance, showing a pattern of reliance on divine direction. Psalm 18:6David's practice of calling upon the Lord in distress, reflecting his dependence on God for deliverance and guidance. People Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, NabalPlaces Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, ZiklagTopics Abiathar, Abi'athar, Ahimelech, Ahim'elech, Ahimelech's, Bring, Bringeth, David, Ephod, Hither, Nigh, Please, Priest, ThitherDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 30:7-8 8129 guidance, examples Library At the Front or the Base
'As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.'--1 Samuel xxx. 24. David's city of Ziklag had been captured by the Amalekites, while he and all his men who could carry arms were absent, serving in the army of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. On their return they found ruin, their homes harried, their wives, children, and property carried off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit of the spoilers, who had had a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Secret of Courage
'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'--1 Samuel xxx. 6. David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's persistent hostility, to take refuge in the Philistines' country. He had gathered around himself a band of desperate men, and was living very much like a freebooter. He had found refuge in a little city of the Philistines, far down in the South, from which he and his men had marched as a contingent …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE themselves with a leader must share his fortunes. Six hundred men had quitted their abodes in Judaea; unable to endure the tyranny of Saul they had linked themselves with David, and made him to be a captain over them. They were, some of them, the best of men, and some of them were the worst: in this, resembling our congregations. Some of them were choice spirits, whom David would have sought, but others were undesirable persons, from whom he might gladly have been free. However, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 30:7 NIV1 Samuel 30:7 NLT1 Samuel 30:7 ESV1 Samuel 30:7 NASB1 Samuel 30:7 KJV
1 Samuel 30:7 Commentaries
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