Wesley Corpus

Ziklag plundered: David and his men distressed, ver. 1 - 6. Encouraged of God, he pursues them, ver. 7 - 10. He gains intelligence from a straggler, ver. 11 - 15. Routs the enemy, and recovers all they had taken, ver. 16 - 20. Makes an order for dividing the spoil, ver. 21 - 25. Sends presents to his friends, ver. 26 - 31 The south - Namely, the southern part of Judah, and the adjacent parts. Wept - It is no disparagement to the boldest, bravest spirits, to lament the calamities of friends or relations. Stoning him - As the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving their wives and children unguarded. Encouraged himself - That is, in this that the all - wise, and all - powerful Lord, was his God by covenant and special promise, and fatherly affection, as he had shewed himself to be in the whole course of his providence towards him. It is the duty of all good men, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in the Lord their God, assuring themselves, that he both can and will bring light out of darkness. The ephod - And put it upon thyself, that thou mayst enquire of God according to his ordinance, David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod, when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the Battle; and his necessity now brings him to his duty, and his duty meets with success. He answered - Before, God answered more slowly and gradually, chap.23:11,12, but now he answers speedily, and fully at once, because the business required haste. So gracious is our God, that he considers even the degree of our necessities, and accommodates himself to them. Four hundred - A small number for such an attempt: but David was strong in faith, giving God the glory of his power and faithfulness. Three days and nights - One whole day and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he saith, three days ago I fell sick, but in the Hebrew it is, this is the third day since I fell sick.