1 Samuel 30:8

Guidance and decisions Prayer God's will and calling Courage and strength

⁶ And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

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

and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”

⁹ So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind

¹⁰ because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: David inquired of the LORD, saying, “If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and will without fail recover all.”
ASV: And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue; for thou shalt surely overtake [them], and shalt without fail recover [all].
DARBY: And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he said to him, Pursue; for thou shalt assuredly overtake [them] and shalt certainly recover.
BLB: And David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I pursue after this troop? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake [them] and you shall surely deliver.”

ÅB: Og David spurte Herren: Skal jeg sette etter denne røverflokk? Kan jeg nå dem igjen? Herren svarte: Sett etter dem! Du skal nå dem igjen, og du skal frelse fangene!
OTB: David søkte veiledning fra Herren og spurte, "Skal jeg forfølge denne banden av røvere? Vil jeg nå dem igjen?" Og Han svarte, "Forfølg dem, for du vil sikkert nå dem igjen og redde alle."
B1930: Og David spurte Herren: Skal jeg sette efter denne røverflokk? Kan jeg nå dem igjen? Herren svarte: Sett efter dem! Du skal nå dem igjen, og du skal frelse fangene!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Samuel 30:18
So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.
Read in context
1 Samuel 23:2
So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
Read in context
Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
Read in context
2 Samuel 5:19
So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
Read in context
Psalms 91:15
When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
Read in context
2 Samuel 5:23
So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.
Read in context
1 Samuel 23:4
Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
Read in context
Judges 20:23
They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”
Read in context