1 Samuel 30:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל
enquired
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל
enquired
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 17
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
בַּֽיהוָה֙
at the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָה֙
at the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
H7291
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
5 of 17
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֥י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
H5381
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
9 of 17
to reach (literally or figuratively)
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
H7291
רְדֹ֔ף
Shall I pursue
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
12 of 17
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
H5381
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
14 of 17
to reach (literally or figuratively)
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
H5381
תַּשִּׂ֖יג
for thou shalt surely
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
15 of 17
to reach (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
1 Samuel 30:18And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.1 Samuel 23:2Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.2 Samuel 5:19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.2 Samuel 5:23And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.1 Samuel 23:4Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.Judges 20:23(And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.)Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.1 Samuel 28:6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you seek specific guidance from God in crisis situations?
- What confidence does divine assurance provide when circumstances seem overwhelming?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.