Bible Strands
1 Samuel 30:8
and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD through the ephod, having just learned that the Amalekites burned Ziklag and carried off his men and families. He frames the question as a yes-or-no decision and waits for a reply.
The words — רדף (radaph) is the verb for "pursue," a chase to overtake, not a casual follow. Its object is גְדוּד (gedud), a military term for a marauding band rather than a generic "men."
The thread — 1 Samuel 23:2 shows the same pattern (inquiry before attack on Philistines); 1 Samuel 30:18 records the outcome; Proverbs 3:5 states the principle behind the practice.
Why it lands — In a moment of total loss, David's first move is a question, not a plan. The text holds him to that: he does not decide, he inquires, and the answer is a command.
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 enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 30:18 So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.
- 1 Samuel 23:2 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
- Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- 2 Samuel 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- 2 Samuel 5:23 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
- Psalms 91:15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
- Judges 20:23 They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”
- 1 Samuel 23:4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- 1 Samuel 23:10 And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account.