Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 30

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 30:1, The Amalekites spoil Ziklag; 1 Samuel 30:4, David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them; 1 Samuel 30:11, By the means of a revived Egyptian he is brought to the enemies, and recovers all the spoil; 1 Samuel 30:22, David’s law to divide the spoil equally between them that fight and them that keep the stuff; 1 Samuel 30:26, He sends presents to his friends.

Verse 1

were come: 1 Samuel 29:11, 2 Samuel 1:2

on the third: This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek, from which place, Calmet supposes, Ziklag was distant more than thirty leagues.

the Amalekites: 1 Samuel 15:7, 1 Samuel 27:8-10, Genesis 24:62, Joshua 11:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:7 - Amalekites Exodus 17:8 - General Exodus 17:14 - for I will Numbers 13:29 - Amalekites Numbers 24:20 - his latter end Numbers 31:10 - General Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Joshua 15:31 - Ziklag Joshua 19:5 - Ziklag 1 Samuel 15:8 - utterly 1 Samuel 27:1 - into the land 1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag 1 Samuel 29:10 - General 1 Samuel 30:14 - we burned 2 Samuel 1:8 - an Amalekite 2 Samuel 2:3 - his men 1 Chronicles 4:30 - Ziklag 1 Chronicles 12:21 - against the band Psalms 9:6 - thou hast Jeremiah 41:12 - to fight

Verse 2

slew not: 1 Samuel 30:19, 1 Samuel 27:11, Job 38:11, Psalms 76:10, Isaiah 27:8, Isaiah 27:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:26 - carried 1 Samuel 29:10 - General 1 Kings 22:31 - small nor great 2 Kings 23:2 - both small and great

Verse 3

burned: Psalms 34:19, Hebrews 12:6, 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 1:7, Revelation 3:9

Reciprocal: Job 5:24 - thou shalt know Psalms 119:61 - The bands Lamentations 3:51 - eye

Verse 4

lifted up: 1 Samuel 4:13, 1 Samuel 11:4, Genesis 37:33-35, Numbers 14:1, Numbers 14:39, Judges 2:4, Judges 21:2, Ezra 10:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:16 - lift Genesis 27:34 - he cried Numbers 31:27 - two parts 2 Samuel 3:32 - lifted Job 2:12 - their voice Lamentations 2:11 - eyes Lamentations 3:51 - eye

Verse 5

two wives: 1 Samuel 1:2, 1 Samuel 25:42, 1 Samuel 25:43, 1 Samuel 27:3, 2 Samuel 2:2, 2 Samuel 3:2, 2 Samuel 3:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:42 - comfort himself 1 Samuel 25:2 - Carmel

Verse 6

was greatly: Genesis 32:7, Psalms 25:17, Psalms 42:7, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:4, Psalms 116:10, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 7:5

the people: Exodus 17:4, Numbers 14:10, Psalms 62:9, Matthew 21:9, Matthew 27:22

grieved: Heb. bitter, 1 Samuel 1:10, Judges 18:25, 2 Samuel 17:8, 2 Kings 4:27, *marg.

David: Job 13:15, Psalms 18:6, Psalms 26:1, Psalms 26:2, Psalms 27:1-3, Psalms 34:1-8, Psalms 40:1, Psalms 40:2, Psalms 42:5, Psalms 42:11, Psalms 56:3, Psalms 56:4, Psalms 56:11, Psalms 62:1, Psalms 62:5, Psalms 62:8, Psalms 118:8-13, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 25:4, Isaiah 37:14-20, Jeremiah 16:19, Habakkuk 3:17, Habakkuk 3:18, Romans 4:18, Romans 8:31, 2 Corinthians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:10, Hebrews 13:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:9 - Jacob Exodus 5:22 - returned Judges 2:15 - greatly Judges 20:22 - encouraged 1 Samuel 22:2 - discontented Nehemiah 6:9 - Now therefore Psalms 18:18 - but Psalms 21:7 - For the Psalms 118:5 - called Psalms 131:2 - quieted Proverbs 31:6 - of heavy hearts Isaiah 33:18 - heart Isaiah 50:10 - let Lamentations 3:24 - therefore Jonah 2:2 - I cried Jonah 2:7 - I remembered John 10:31 - General Acts 27:22 - I exhort Acts 28:15 - he thanked 2 Corinthians 7:10 - the sorrow Philippians 4:6 - in 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting

Verse 7

Abiathar: 1 Samuel 22:20, 1 Samuel 22:21, 1 Samuel 23:2-9, 1 Kings 2:26, Mark 2:26

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:4 - ephod Exodus 28:30 - General Numbers 27:21 - he shall Deuteronomy 20:2 - General Joshua 9:14 - asked not 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 23:9 - Bring 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 5:19 - inquired Hosea 3:4 - ephod

Verse 8

inquired: 1 Samuel 23:2, 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:10-12, Judges 20:18, Judges 20:23, Judges 20:28, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6

he answered him: 1 Samuel 14:37, 1 Samuel 28:6, 1 Samuel 28:15, 1 Samuel 28:16, Numbers 27:21, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 91:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:16 - General Genesis 25:22 - inquire Exodus 28:30 - General Deuteronomy 20:2 - General Joshua 9:14 - asked not 1 Samuel 14:18 - Bring hither 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 27:2 - the six 1 Samuel 30:19 - General 1 Samuel 30:23 - which the Lord 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 16:23 - as if 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 1 Chronicles 14:10 - Shall I go Psalms 18:29 - by thee Psalms 27:4 - inquire John 10:35 - unto

Verse 9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:13 - six hundred 1 Samuel 25:13 - two hundred 2 Samuel 2:3 - his men

Verse 10

for two hundred: 1 Samuel 30:21

so faint: 1 Samuel 14:20, 1 Samuel 14:31, Judges 8:4, Judges 8:5

the brook Besor: This brook or torrent, it is evident from the circumstances of the history, must be in the south-west part of Judea, and must empty itself into the Mediterranean Sea. In the more particular situation of it writers are not agreed. Some suppose it to be between Gaza and Rhinocorura; but Jerome places it between Rhinocorura and Egypt. It is supposed by some to be the same as the river of the wilderness - Amos 6:14, and the river of Egypt, Joshua 15:4.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:13 - six hundred 1 Samuel 25:13 - two hundred 2 Samuel 2:3 - his men Isaiah 33:23 - the lame Mark 8:3 - General

Verse 11

gave him: Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Deuteronomy 23:7, Proverbs 25:21, Matthew 25:35, Luke 10:36, Luke 10:37, Romans 12:20, Romans 12:21

Reciprocal: Judges 8:14 - caught Psalms 107:5 - General Lamentations 1:11 - relieve the soul Matthew 15:32 - lest

Verse 12

his spirit: 1 Samuel 14:27, Judges 15:19, Isaiah 40:29-31

three days: 1 Samuel 30:13, Esther 4:16, Jonah 1:17, Matthew 27:63

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:27 - the spirit Judges 19:5 - Comfort Psalms 107:5 - General Lamentations 1:11 - relieve the soul Matthew 15:32 - lest Acts 9:19 - when

Verse 13

my master: Though they had booty enough, and this poor sick slave might have been carried on an ass or a camel, yet they inhumanely left him to perish; but, in the righteous providence of God, this cruelty was the occasion of their destruction; whilst David's kindness to a perishing stranger and slave was the means of his success, and proved the truest policy. Job 31:13-15, Proverbs 12:10, James 2:13

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:12 - three days 2 Samuel 1:8 - an Amalekite 1 Chronicles 18:11 - Amalek Jonah 1:8 - What is thine

Verse 14

the Cherethites: Calmet and others suppose that these people, who inhabited the same district as the Philistines, were the aborigines of the island of Crete, from which they derived their name. 1 Samuel 30:16, 2 Samuel 8:18, 1 Kings 1:38, 1 Kings 1:44, 1 Chronicles 18:17, Ezekiel 25:16, Zephaniah 2:5

Caleb: A district in the south of Judea, in which were the cities of Kirjath-Arba or Hebron, and Kirjath-sepher, belonging to the family of Caleb. Joshua 14:13, Joshua 15:13

we burned: 1 Samuel 30:1-3

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag 2 Samuel 15:18 - Cherethites 1 Chronicles 2:24 - Calebephratah

Verse 15

Swear: 1 Samuel 29:6, Joshua 2:12, Joshua 9:15, Joshua 9:19, Joshua 9:20, Ezekiel 17:13, Ezekiel 17:16, Ezekiel 17:19

nor deliver: Deuteronomy 23:15, Deuteronomy 23:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:23 - swear Genesis 26:31 - sware Judges 1:24 - we will 2 Samuel 19:23 - sware Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not

Verse 16

when he: Judges 1:24, Judges 1:25

eating: 1 Samuel 25:36-38, Exodus 32:6, Exodus 32:17-19, Exodus 32:27, Exodus 32:28, Judges 16:23-30, 2 Samuel 13:28, Isaiah 22:13, Daniel 5:1-4, Luke 12:19, Luke 12:20, Luke 17:27-29, Luke 21:34, Luke 21:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Revelation 11:10-13

because of all: Job 20:5

Reciprocal: Judges 8:11 - secure 1 Samuel 30:14 - the Cherethites 1 Kings 4:20 - eating 1 Kings 20:20 - escaped Psalms 119:162 - as one Proverbs 23:34 - thou Proverbs 30:22 - a fool Ecclesiastes 7:4 - the heart Isaiah 9:3 - and as men Matthew 24:38 - they

Verse 17

the next day: Heb. their morrow

and there: 1 Samuel 11:11, Judges 4:16, 1 Kings 20:29, 1 Kings 20:30, Psalms 18:42

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:61 - they rode Genesis 31:17 - upon camels Exodus 17:14 - for I will Numbers 24:20 - his latter end Judges 6:5 - their camels 2 Samuel 1:1 - when David 2 Samuel 1:8 - an Amalekite 1 Kings 20:20 - escaped 2 Kings 7:5 - in the twilight 1 Chronicles 4:43 - the rest Psalms 18:38 - General Proverbs 23:34 - thou Jeremiah 41:15 - escaped Matthew 24:38 - they

Verse 18

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:16 - General Numbers 31:49 - lacketh 1 Samuel 11:11 - so that two Jeremiah 41:12 - to fight

Verse 19

1 Samuel 30:8, Genesis 14:14-16, Numbers 31:49, Job 1:10, Psalms 34:9, Psalms 34:10, Psalms 91:9, Psalms 91:10, Matthew 6:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:16 - General 1 Samuel 30:2 - slew not 2 Chronicles 20:25 - they found

Verse 20

This is David's spoil: 1 Samuel 30:26, Numbers 31:9-12, 2 Chronicles 20:25, Isaiah 53:12, Romans 8:37

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 18:11 - Amalek 2 Chronicles 14:15 - carried away

Verse 21

two hundred men: 1 Samuel 30:10

came near: Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 3:8

saluted them: Heb. asked them how they did, Judges 8:15

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:13 - went forth 1 Samuel 25:13 - two hundred

Verse 22

wicked: 1 Samuel 22:2, 1 Samuel 25:17, 1 Samuel 25:25, Deuteronomy 13:13, Judges 19:22, 1 Kings 21:10, 1 Kings 21:13

those: Heb. the men

Because: Matthew 7:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 17:10 - rebels Judges 11:3 - vain men Judges 20:13 - children of Belial 2 Samuel 20:1 - a man Isaiah 33:23 - the lame

Verse 23

my brethren: Genesis 19:7, Judges 19:23, Acts 7:2, Acts 22:1

which the Lord: 1 Samuel 30:8, 1 Samuel 2:7, Numbers 31:49-54, Deuteronomy 8:10, Deuteronomy 8:18, 1 Chronicles 29:12-14, Habakkuk 1:16

who hath: Psalms 44:2-7, Psalms 121:7, Psalms 121:8

Verse 24

but as his part: This equitable edict was somewhat different from that which had so long obtained in Israel, and by which the spoil of the Midianites was divided: that related to the whole people: this only to the soldiers, some of whom went to battle, while others guarded the baggage. Numbers 31:27, Joshua 22:8, Psalms 68:12

tarrieth: 1 Samuel 25:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:7 - General Genesis 45:20 - stuff Nehemiah 13:27 - Shall we then

Verse 25

forward: Heb. and forward, 1 Samuel 16:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:14 - by an ordinance Exodus 27:21 - a statute for ever Numbers 15:15 - an ordinance Numbers 27:11 - a statute Numbers 31:27 - two parts Joshua 4:9 - and they are there Esther 9:27 - and upon their seed

Verse 26

to his friends: 1 Chronicles 12:1-15, Psalms 35:27, Psalms 68:18, Proverbs 18:16-24, Isaiah 32:8

present: Heb. blessing, 1 Samuel 25:27, Genesis 33:11, 2 Kings 5:15, 2 Corinthians 9:5

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:20 - This is David's spoil 1 Chronicles 19:2 - I will show Proverbs 18:24 - that hath Ephesians 4:8 - and

Verse 27

Bethel: Probably not the celebrated city of this name, but Bethul a city of Simeon - Joshua 19:4, supposed to be the same as Bethelia, mentioned by Sozomen as belonging to Gaza, well peopled, and having several temples remarkable for their structure and antiquity; and which Jerome says, in his life of Hilarion, was five short days' journey from Pelusium. Genesis 28:19, Joshua 16:2, Judges 1:22, Judges 1:23, 1 Kings 12:29

south Ramoth: A city of Simeon; so called to distinguish it from Ramoth Gilead beyond Jordan. Joshua 19:8, Ramath

Jattir: Joshua 15:48, Joshua 21:14

Verse 28

Aroer: Joshua 13:16

Siphmoth: Supposed to be the same with Shepham - Numbers 34:10, on the eastern borders of Canaan.

Eshtemoa: Joshua 15:50, Eshtemoh, Joshua 21:14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 24:5 - Aroer 1 Chronicles 4:17 - Eshtemoa

Verse 29

Rachal: Supposed by Calmet to be the same as Hachilah. 1 Samuel 23:19

Jerahmeelites: The descendants of Jerahmeel son of Hezron - 1 Chronicles 2:9, 1 Chronicles 2:25-27, who inhabited a district in the south of Judah. 1 Samuel 27:10

Kenites: These people inhabited a small tract west of the Dead Sea. Judges 1:16

Verse 30

Hormah: Joshua 19:4, Judges 1:17

Chorashan: Probably the same as Ashan in Simeon, Joshua 15:42, Joshua 19:7, which Eusebius says was sixteen miles west from Jerusalem.

Reciprocal: Numbers 21:3 - the name

Verse 31

Hebron: Joshua 14:13, Joshua 14:14, 2 Samuel 2:1, 2 Samuel 4:1, 2 Samuel 15:10

Reciprocal: Psalms 132:1 - all his afflictions