שמואל א, פרק ל׳, פסוק ח׳

In a moment of crisis, David turns directly to God for guidance regarding the raiding band that attacked them. He seeks to know whether he should launch a pursuit and if that pursuit will be successful.

There are different ways to understand the exact nature of David's inquiry. One perspective suggests that David asked God two distinct questions at the same time: whether to pursue the enemy, and whether he would catch them. Although it is generally improper to ask two questions at once when seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim, the intense pressure and extreme urgency of the situation led David to do so, and God answered both inquiries [רד״ק]. Another approach suggests that David was already fully determined to chase the attackers. In this view, his question to God focused entirely on the outcome, asking only if his efforts would bear fruit and if he would successfully overtake the enemy [מלבי״ם].

God responds with a clear and comprehensive answer, confirming that the effort will not be in vain and that David will indeed catch the raiding band. Furthermore, God provides an additional guarantee that goes beyond David's original question. He promises that David will not only overtake the enemy but will also completely rescue and recover everything that was stolen. With this divine assurance of a total rescue, it becomes David's absolute duty to embark on the pursuit [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].