Bible Strands
1 Samuel 30:6
And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David stands at Ziklag after the Amalekite raid that captured his wives and families. The narrative records his reaction to the crowd's mutiny and his immediate turn to God before consulting the priest Abiathar.
The words — The Hebrew verb תָּצַר (tatsar) conveys being tightly constrained or distressed, intensified by the adverb מְאֹד (me'od). The infinitive לִסְקֹל (lisqol) specifies the exact threat of execution by stoning voiced by the people.
The thread — The pattern of seeking divine strength amid human hostility appears in Psalm 56:3, Psalm 56:11, and Psalm 62:5.
Why it lands — The text records David's internal crisis and his deliberate reliance on God before any course of action is taken. It requires the reader to recognize that grounding in God precedes human resolution, not merely follows it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And 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: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
Cross-references
- Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
- Psalms 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Psalms 62:5 Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.
- Psalms 27:1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Psalms 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.
- Psalms 25:17 The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress.
- Psalms 40:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
- Exodus 17:4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!”
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- 2 Corinthians 1:8 We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.