I Samuel 30
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On the third day - This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek. Calmet supposes that Aphek was distant from Ziklag more than thirty leagues. The Amalekites had invaded - These were, doubtless, a travelling predatory horde, who, availing themselves of the war between the Philistines and the Israelites, plundered several unprotected towns, and among them Ziklag. It is likely they had not heard of what David did to some of their tribes, else they would have avenged themselves by slaying all they found in Ziklag.
Open source ↗THE AMALEKITES SPOIL ZIKLAG. (Sa1 30:1-5) Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag--While the strength of the Philistine forces was poured out of their country into the plain of Esdraelon, the Amalekite marauders seized the opportunity of the defenseless state of Philistia to invade the southern territory. Of course, David's town suffered from the ravages of these nomad plunderers, in revenge for his recent raid upon their territory.
Open source ↗And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out with Achish, or rather from the time of their leaving Achish, and the camp of the Philistines; so long they were upon their march homewards, see Sa2 1:1; and no wonder, if it was the distance of eighty eight miles; see Gill on Sa1 29:11, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag; the southern parts of the land of the Philistines, and of Judah, as appears from Sa1 30:14; taking the opportunity of the Philistines being gone into the land of Israel, and particularly of David's absence from Ziklag, to whom they bore a grudge for his invasion, destruction, and spoil of them not long ago, see Sa1 27:8, and smitten Ziklag, and burnt it with fire; not that they smote the inhabitants of it, there were no men in it, and the women and children they carried captive; but they demolished the buildings in it, pulled down the houses after they had rifled them, and burnt them with fire, that David and his men might dwell there no more.
Open source ↗During David's absence the Amalekites had invaded the south country, smitten Ziklag and burnt it down, and carried off the women and children whom they found there; whereat not only were David and his men plunged into great grief on their return upon the third day but David especially was involved in very great trouble, inasmuch as the people wanted to stone him. But he strengthened himself in the Lord his God (Sa1 30:1-6). Sa1 30:1-5 Sa1 30:1-4 form one period, which is expanded by the introduction of several circumstantial clauses. The apodosis to "It came to pass, when," etc. (Sa1 30:1), does not follow till Sa1 30:4, "Then David and the people," etc. But this is formally attached to Sa1 30:3, "so David and his men came," with which the protasis commenced in Sa1 30:1 is resumed in an altered form. "It came to pass, when David and his men came to Ziklag ... the Amalekites had invaded ... and had carried off the wives ... and had gone their way, and David and his men came into the town (for 'when David and his men came,' etc.), and behold it was burned ... . Then David and the people with him lifted up their voice." "On the third day:" after David's dismission by Achish, not after David's departure from Ziklag. David had at any rate gone with Achish beyond Gath, and had not been sent back till the whole of the princes of the Philistines had united their armies (Sa1 29:2.), so that he must have been absent from Ziklag more than two days, or two days and a half. This is placed beyond all doubt by Sa1 30:11., since the Amalekites are there described as having gone off with their booty three days before David followed them, and therefore they had taken Ziklag and burned it three days before David's return. These foes had therefore taken advantage of the absence of David an…
Open source ↗Here we have, I. The descent which the Amalekites made upon Ziklag in David's absence, and the desolations they made there. They surprised the city when it was left unguarded, plundered it, burnt it, and carried all the women and children captives, Sa1 30:1, Sa1 30:2. They intended, by this to revenge the like havoc that David had lately made of them and their country, Sa1 27:8. He that had made so many enemies ought not to have left his own concerns so naked and defenceless. Those that make bold with others must expect that others will make as bold with them and provide accordingly. Now observe in this, 1. The cruelty of Saul's pity (as it proved) in sparing the Amalekites; if he had utterly destroyed them, as he ought to have done, these would not have been in being to do this mischief. 2. How David was corrected for being so forward to go with the Philistines against Israel. God showed him that he had better have staid at home and looked after his own business. When we go abroad in the way of our duty we may comfortably hope that God will take care of our families in our absence, but not otherwise. 3. How wonderfully God inclined the hearts of these Amalekites to carry the women and children away captives, and not to kill them. When David invaded them he put all to the sword (Sa1 27:9), and no reason can be given why they did not retaliate upon this city, but that 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. Whether they spared them to lead them in triumph, or to sell them, or to use them for slaves, God's hand must be acknowledged, who designed to make use of the Amalekites for the correction, not for the destruction, of the house of David. II. The confusion and conster…
Open source ↗30:1 Ziklag: See study note on 27:6. • Perhaps the Amalekites were retaliating for David’s raids against them (27:8).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) צִקְלַג (Tsiqlag, H6860) — Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֲמָלֵקִי (ʻĂmâlêqîy, H6003) — an Amalekite (or collectively the Amalekites) or descendants of Amalek פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity אֲחִינֹעַם (ʼĂchîynôʻam, H293) — Achinoam, the name of two Israelitesses יִזְרְעֵאלִית (Yizrᵉʻêʼlîyth, H3159) — a Jezreelitess אֲבִיגַיִל (ʼĂbîygayil, H26) — Abigail or Abigal, the name of two Israelitesses נָבָל (Nâbâl, H5037) — Nabal, an Israelite כַּרְמְלִי (Karmᵉlîy, H3761) — a Karmelite or inhabitant of Karmel (the town)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָצַר (yâtsar, H3334) — to press (intransitive), i.e. be narrow; figuratively, be in distress עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) סָקַל (çâqal, H5619) — properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… מָרַר (mârar, H4843) — to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶבְיָתָר (ʼEbyâthâr, H54) — Ebjathar, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… גְּדוּד (gᵉdûwd, H1416) — a crowd (especially of soldiers) נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… בְּשׂוֹר (Bᵉsôwr, H1308) — Besor, a stream of Palestine יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) פָּגַר (pâgar, H6296) — to relax, i.e. become exhausted עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… בְּשׂוֹר (Bᵉsôwr, H1308) — Besor, a stream of Palestine
Open source ↗מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִצְרִי (Mitsrîy, H4713) — a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פֶּלַח (pelach, H6400) — a slice דְּבֵלָה (dᵉbêlâh, H1690) — a cake of pressed figs שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold צַמּוּק (tsammûwq, H6778) — a cake of dried grapes אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… מִצְרִי (Mitsrîy, H4713) — a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עֲמָלֵקִי (ʻĂmâlêqîy, H6003) — an Amalekite (or collectively the Amalekites) or descendants of Amalek אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חָלָה (châlâh, H2470) — properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or…
Open source ↗פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… כְּרֵתִי (Kᵉrêthîy, H3774) — a Kerethite or life-guardsman יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… כָּלֵב (Kâlêb, H3612) — Caleb, the name of three Israelites שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire צִקְלַג (Tsiqlag, H6860) — Tsiklag or Tsikelag, a place in Palestine אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt.
So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots.”
But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men?
On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.
Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.