This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in 1 Samuel 30:1-30, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, a man named David and his friends went out to fight some bad guys called the Amalekites. While they were away, the Amalekites attacked David’s home and took away all the women and children, including David’s two wives! When David and his friends came back, they were very sad to see that their homes were destroyed and their families were gone.
David’s friends were so mad that they wanted to hurt him because they thought it was his fault. But David was brave and went to talk to God about what to do. He asked a priest to bring him a special clothing called an “ephod,” and he used it to talk to God.
God told David to go after the Amalekites, so he gathered his friends and went after them. They walked for a while and found a man who worked for the Amalekites, but he was sick and left behind. David and his friends were nice to him and gave him food and water.
The man told David where the Amalekites were, so David and his friends went to fight them. They fought for a long time, and finally, they won! They got back all their families and everything the Amalekites took, like their animals and things.
When David and his men came back from defeating the Amalekites and rescuing their families and possessions, they found that 200 of their men were too exhausted to go with them. David and his men shared everything they got back with everyone, including those who stayed behind.
Some of David’s men wanted to keep everything for themselves and not share with those who stayed behind, but David said that everyone who helped, even those who were too tired to fight, deserved to share everything they got back because it was God who helped them win. So, David made it a rule for Israel that those who went to battle and those who stayed behind would share alike.
Biblical Lessons
- When bad things happen, we can talk to God and ask for help.
- We should be kind to others, even if they work for our enemies.
- God helps us win battles and overcome difficult situations.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
Desiring God
Piper unpacks "Christian Hedonism": that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, grounded in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
The God Who Is There
Shows how the God of the Bible speaks into modern philosophical and cultural confusion.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
According to Plan
An introduction to biblical theology that shows how all Scripture points to Christ.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Leadership
Biblical principles for godly leadership in the church, home, and workplace.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
Christian Beliefs
A shorter, accessible overview of 20 basic Christian doctrines for everyday believers.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
A call to radical, everyday hospitality as a means of gospel witness and discipleship.
View on Amazon
Total Truth
Equips believers to see all of life through a biblical worldview and challenge secular thinking.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
View on Amazon