1 Samuel 30:6

6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 in Other Translations

6 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.

6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

6 David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

6 And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him.

6 David was in a difficult position because the troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over [the loss of] their sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed
Partly for the loss of his two wives, and partly because of the mutiny and murmuring of his men:

for the people spake of stoning him;
as the Israelites did of Moses and Aaron, ( Numbers 14:10 ) ; the reason of this was, because, as they judged, it was owing to David that they went along with Achish, and left the city defenceless, and because he had provoked the Amalekites by his inroad upon them, who took this opportunity of avenging themselves. Abarbinel is of opinion that it was his excess of sorrow for his two wives, and his remissness and backwardness to take vengeance on their enemies, that provoked them, and put them on talking after this manner:

because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons
and for his daughters;
as well as David; and they were very desirous of recovering them if possible, and of taking vengeance on those who had carried them captive:

but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God;
took all patiently, and exercised faith on his God; he encouraged himself in the power and providence of God; in the promises of God, and his faithfulness in keeping them; in a view of his covenant relation to God; in remembrance of the grace, mercy, and goodness of God, and his former experiences of it; hoping and believing that God would appear for him in some way or another, and work salvation for him. The Targum is,

``he strengthened himself in the Word of the Lord his God;''

in Christ the Word of God, and in the power of his might, and in the grace that is in him, ( Ephesians 6:10 ) ( 2 Timothy 2:1 ) .

1 Samuel 30:6 In-Context

4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.

5 David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.

6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him,

8 and David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.”

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 17:4; John 8:59
• 2. S Ruth 1:13
• 3. S 1 Samuel 23:16; Psalms 27:14; Psalms 56:3-4,11; Romans 4:20