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Patriarchs and Prophets
At these words the tumult of grief and passion ceased. David
and his soldiers at once set out in pursuit of their fleeing foe. So
rapid was their march, that upon reaching the brook Besor, which
empties near Gaza into the Mediterranean Sea, two hundred of the
band were compelled by exhaustion to remain behind. But David with
the remaining four hundred pressed forward, nothing daunted.
Advancing, they came upon an Egyptian slave apparently about
to perish from weariness and hunger. Upon receiving food and drink,
however, he revived, and they learned that he had been left to die by
his cruel master, an Amalekite belonging to the invading force. He told
the story of the raid and pillage; and then, having exacted a promise
that he should not be slain or delivered to his master, he consented to
lead David’s company to the camp of their enemies.
As they came in sight of the encampment a scene of revelry met
their gaze. The victorious host were holding high festival. “They were
spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing,
because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of
the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.” An immediate attack
was ordered, and the pursuers rushed fiercely upon their prey. The
Amalekites were surprised and thrown into confusion. The battle was
continued all that night and the following day, until nearly the entire
host was slain. Only a band of four hundred men, mounted upon
camels, succeeded in making their escape. The word of the Lord was
fulfilled. “David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away:
and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to
them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil,
nor anything that they had taken to them: David recovered all.”
When David had invaded the territory of the Amalekites, he had
put to the sword all the inhabitants that fell into his hands. But for
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the restraining power of God the Amalekites would have retaliated by
destroying the people of Ziklag. They decided to spare the captives,
desiring to heighten the honor of the triumph by leading home a large
number of prisoners, and intending afterward to sell them as slaves.
Thus, unwittingly, they fulfilled God’s purpose, keeping the prisoners
unharmed, to be restored to their husbands and fathers.
All earthly powers are under the control of the Infinite One. To
the mightiest ruler, to the most cruel oppressor, He says, “Hitherto
shalt thou come, but no further.”
Job 38:11
. God’s power is constantly