King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:8 in the King James Version says “And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pur...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

1 Samuel 30:8 · KJV

Context

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. grieved: Heb. bitter

7

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

8

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

9

So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.

10

But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.

Read 1 Samuel 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's inquiry and God's response model the prayer-and-guidance pattern Scripture commends. The questions are practical: 'Shall I pursue? Shall I overtake?' The answers are specific and encouraging: 'Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.' The Hebrew emphatic construction 'haseg tasig wehatsel tatsil' (surely overtake, surely recover) guarantees success. This divine assurance transforms the situation from hopeless grief to purposeful action. God's word provides both direction and confidence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Inquiry of the LORD through the ephod typically involved yes/no questions the Urim and Thummim could answer. David's two questions (should I pursue? will I succeed?) receive emphatic affirmative responses providing both permission and promise.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you seek specific guidance from God in crisis situations?
  2. What confidence does divine assurance provide when circumstances seem overwhelming?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל1 of 17

“enquired”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

דָּוִ֤ד2 of 17

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בַּֽיהוָה֙3 of 17

“at the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר4 of 17

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

רְדֹ֔ף5 of 17

“Shall I pursue”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

אַֽחֲרֵ֥י6 of 17

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַגְּדוּד7 of 17

“this troop”

H1416

a crowd (especially of soldiers)

הַזֶּ֖ה8 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

תַּשִּׂ֖יג9 of 17

“for thou shalt surely”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר10 of 17

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לוֹ֙11 of 17
H0
רְדֹ֔ף12 of 17

“Shall I pursue”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

כִּֽי13 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תַּשִּׂ֖יג14 of 17

“for thou shalt surely”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

תַּשִּׂ֖יג15 of 17

“for thou shalt surely”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

תַּצִּֽיל׃16 of 17

“recover”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

תַּצִּֽיל׃17 of 17

“recover”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 30:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 30:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 30:181 Samuel 23:2Proverbs 3:5-62 Samuel 5:19Psalms 91:152 Samuel 5:23

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 30 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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