“And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.”
1 Samuel 30:15 is part of the narrative that describes an event in the life of David, before he became the king of Israel. At this point in the story, David and his men were living among the Philistines due to the hostility of Saul, the king of Israel, towards David.
In the preceding verses, the Amalekites had raided the town of Ziklag, where David and his men had settled with their families. They had burned the town and taken captive the women, children, and all the inhabitants. David and his men returned to find their homes destroyed and their families taken captive.
When David and his men pursued the Amalekites, they came across an Egyptian slave who had been abandoned by the Amalekites. David, recognizing the opportunity, asked the slave if he could lead them to the Amalekite raiding party. In verse 15, David inquired if the slave could guide him to the Amalekites’ location.
The slave, who was likely afraid for his life, made a request of David. He asked David to swear an oath by God that he would neither kill him nor hand him over to his master, which was a reasonable concern considering the circumstances. The slave wanted assurance of his safety before assisting David and his men.
David responded to the slave’s request by swearing an oath to protect him, ensuring that he would not harm him or hand him over to his master. This oath established a covenant of protection between David and the slave, giving the slave the confidence to lead David to the Amalekite camp.
David’s leadership:Despite facing personal devastation, David’s response demonstrated his leadership skills. He took charge of the situation, assessed the available resources, and made plans to recover what was lost.
Trust in God:Although the passage does not explicitly mention it, David’s decision to swear an oath by God implies his reliance on God’s guidance and protection. He understood that his victory depended on God’s favour, and he sought to honour God in his actions.
Compassion and integrity:David showed compassion and integrity by granting the slave’s request for protection. Despite the slave being from an enemy nation, David chose to extend mercy and uphold his oath. This act reflects David’s character and reveals his commitment to justice.
Divine providence:The encounter with the Egyptian slave can be seen as an example of God’s providential guidance. It was not a coincidence that David and his men came across the slave at the right time. God orchestrated events to provide David with the opportunity to rescue his captured people.
In summary, 1 Samuel 30:15 portrays David’s leadership, his trust in God, his compassion, and the workings of divine providence. It teaches us the importance of seeking God’s guidance in difficult situations, displaying integrity and compassion, and acknowledging God’s sovereignty in all circumstances.
