Ziklag: Seeking God in a Contrary Place
Last week I heard one of the most impacting messages on redemption! The woman of God gave us the redemptive work of Christ through the book of 1 Samuel. The text was 1 Samuel 30:8–
And David inquired 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. (KJV)
Since then I’ve spent time daily meditating on the message and all of 1 Samuel 30. I saw something about our girl Abigail that I want to share with you. Let me start with this question —
Who, when chosen, is thinking about captivity?
Abigail was delivered from the hands of a fool (Nabal) into the hands of the troubled man called to be king (David). Her mind was on preventing a slaughter in her household. She demonstrated extreme humility in her approach. But in that moment, we have no indicators that she had a motive to be queen. She showed no ambition to create a new life. David did that for her. After this powerful intercession, Abigail returned home…to her son of Belial husband…unaware of that he would die and David would claim her.
A woman of good understanding, if you recall, is wise, prudent, intelligent, discreet and circumspect. Abigail knew that day she bowed herself to the ground and saved her household that she appealed to a man of war. She knew David’s reputation in the kingdom, and God’s ordained will for him because that is how she convinced him to receive her gifts and be content to let God fight for him.
When Abigail came into David’s life permanently as his second wife, she knew the man she married. She knew that his life and purpose would be bloody as he protected God’s people and put fear into God’s enemies. Captivity, at the very least, had to be a fleeting thought because of the nature of David’s assignments.
Years later then, at Ziklag (the setting for 1 Samuel 30), I can imagine that her response was neither resignation, anger, or playing the victim. Instead, I consider her mind was already on the rescue. This is why verse 18 blesses me…
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. (KJV)
We are encouraged to walk by faith, and to renew our minds by God’s Word. When we see captivity on the horizon, we can play the victim, get mad or just resign. For my part, I am inclined to consider Abigail’s good understanding (1 Samuel 25:3) comes into play here.
Here’s the point: Faith in the victorious track record helps us keep our good understanding when parts of the process seem like we are bound by the enemy’s surprise attack. This was a natural battle…we have our share as well, but they are rooted in the spirit. 
I want to encourage us to remember the redemptive work of Christ, and when there appears to be bondage and captivity at the hands of our enemy…let’s look to our rescue because the price has been paid! Sometimes, the process requires lessons we did not foresee. Yet we are victorious.
Ziklag was not about the enemy, the stolen families or the ashes. Ziklag was about seeking God in a contrary place when the situation cried, “All is lost!” Ziklag was about God’s guarantee of overcoming and overtaking a greedy enemy, AND getting all back plus the spoil.
Look Up Abigail. Restrain the urge to point the finger. Remember you are wise, prudent, circumspect, discreet and intelligent. See through the loss. Find the gains. And smile when the rescue manifests.
Selah, and love to all.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 