David's Distress

🧱 David’s Distress
📖 1 Samuel 30:1–6
Pastor Jeff Smith
6/4/25

🔍 Opening Context:
David returns to Ziklag to find devastation—his family and the families of his men taken, and the city burned. His own people, grieved and bitter, speak of stoning him. Yet, David encourages himself in the LORD (v.6), seeks God’s direction (v.7–8), leads a victorious rescue (v.9–17), and restores all that was lost (v.18–31).

Many Christians will experience such moments: abandoned, accused, and afflicted—all while trying to serve God faithfully.

I. 💥 The Extreme of David’s Distress (vs. 5)

A. He Was Greatly Distressed

  • Grief overwhelmed him and his men.

  • He was nearly stoned by those closest to him.

B. He Was Greatly Distracted (see 1 Samuel 29:2)

  • Distracted by battles that weren’t his.

  • Distracted by man’s direction.

  • Distracted from his appointed place.

C. He Was Greatly Dissed (v.7–11)

  • Without fault (v.3)

  • Not found evil (v.6)

  • Not favored or permitted to fight (v.6–8)

Joseph, Job, Daniel, and especially Jesus—were all wrongfully rejected, yet divinely vindicated.

📌 Challenge: John 15:20 – Christ said persecution will come.
2 Corinthians 6:4 – Ministry is marked by “distresses.”
Don’t let distraction lead to distress (1 Peter 4:12–16).

II. 💪 The Encouragement for David’s Distress (vs. 6)

David encouraged himself in the LORD. How?

A. He Remembered to Call (Psalm 18:6)

  • Romans 10:13; Psalm 4:3; Jer. 33:3 – Call on Jesus!

B. He Reflected on Trust (Psalm 56:3–4)

C. He Rejoiced in Courage (Psalm 34:1–8)

To be troubled but not distressed (2 Cor. 4:8), we must rely on the power of Christ in us.

đź“Ś Challenge: In Times of Distress Encourage Yourself In The Lord:

  • Call upon Jesus

  • Reflect on past deliverances

  • Rejoice in His unchanging power
    (2 Cor. 12:10 – “When I am weak, then am I strong.”)

III. 🧭 The Enquiring of the LORD (vs. 8)

David now seeks recovery, not revenge.

A. He Purposed to Seek the LORD

  • Psalm 34:4; Psalm 105:4; Isaiah 55:6

B. He Prepared to Follow

  • Psalm 18:39 – “Girded me with strength unto battle”

C. He Pursued with Obedience

  • Psalm 37:5 – Commit, trust, and God brings it to pass

📌 Challenge: Don’t settle in your distress. Get help. Get up. Get going.

IV. 🫂 The Exhortation from David’s Distress (vs.11–15)

A.    David Exhorted the Faint to Stay by the Stuffs

B.    David Extended His Hand of Mercy

                  1.     Spared an Egyptian slave in distress

                  2.     Showed Kindness

                  3.     Saved his Life

C.    David Executed Judgment & Justice Upon His Enemies (2 Samuel 8:15 – And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.)

1.     He Recovered all the Victuals

2.     He Returned Victoriously “He delivered me from my strong enemy…” (v. Psalms 18:17)

3.     He Rewarded Vicariously (on God’s behalf – Verse 23)

đź“Ś Final Challenge:

  • Exhort the Faint to Stay Faithful in Distress

o   1 Thess 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • Grace & Kindness to help those in Distress

o   Eph 4:32 â€“ And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

  • Faith Helps Comfort those in Distress

o   1 Thess. 3:7 – Comforted in distress by your faith

  • Whether fighting or “staying by the stuff,” God:

    • Recovers what was lost

    • Returns in victory

    • Rewards on Christ’s behalf

  • Gal 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Jeffrey smith