1 Samuel 30:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David asks the LORD whether to pursue, and receives the clear promise that he will overtake the raiders and recover all.
What Does 1 Samuel 30:8 Mean?
David lays his questions plainly before God: Shall I pursue? Shall I overtake them? The answer is unmistakable and generous — Pursue, for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. God does not merely permit the chase; He guarantees its outcome. Nothing taken will stay lost.
To inquire of the LORD and receive so clear a word is a mercy. David asks honestly and listens, and God answers with a promise that reaches beyond what David dared request: not some, but all. This is the God who restores — whose deliverance is not partial but complete, and who would one day, in Christ, seek and save that which was lost, leaving nothing behind that He came to redeem.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 30:8
What does 1 Samuel 30:8 mean?
David asks the LORD whether to pursue, and receives the clear promise that he will overtake the raiders and recover all.