Wits End

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

The Amalekites surprised the city when it was left unguarded, plundered it, burnt it, and carried all the women and children captives. How wonderfully God inclined the hearts of these Amalekites to carry the women and children away captives and not to kill them. God restrained them; for He has all hearts in His hands and says to the fury of the most cruel men, hitherto thou shalt come, and no further.

This was a sore trial to the man after God's own heart, and could not but go very near him. Saul had driven him from his country, the Philistines had driven him from their camp, the Amalekites had plundered his city, his wives were taken prisoners, and now, to complete his woe, his own familiar friends, in whom he trusted, whom he had sheltered, and who did eat of his bread, instead of sympathizing with him and offering him any relief, lifted up the heel against him, and threatened to stone him.

Things are sometimes at the worst with the church and people of God just before they begin to mend. David bore it better, though he had more reason than any of them to lament it; they gave liberty to their passions, but he set his graces on work, and by encouraging himself in God, while they dispirited each other, he kept his spirit calm and sedate. Those that have taken the Lord for their God may take encouragement from their relation to Him in the worst of times. It is the duty and interest of all good people, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in God as their Lord and their God, assuring themselves that He can and will bring light out of darkness, peace out of trouble, and good out of evil, to all that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. When he was at his wits' end he was not at his faith's end. (Matthew Henry)

You really have to go back to chapter 29 for the whole story. David, on his own accord, decided to leave and stay with the Philistines. He ended up getting himself into a bind and the Lord delivered him. He was going home to his family when he was greeted with the destruction of his city. A lot of -ifs- going on with this story, but God knew his heart so He was going to turn things around.

I like the phrase, "gave liberty to their passions" because that is exactly what I do at times and it always leads to more trouble. David stopped and put his faith to work; he sought the Lord and was able to deal with a clear head and a calm heart.