Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 30 — Overview

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

This chapter relates the condition Ziklag was in when David and his men came to it, the city burnt, and their families carried captive by the Amalekites, which occasioned not only a general lamentation, but mutiny and murmuring in David's men, 1Sa 30:1; the inquiry David made of the Lord what he should do, who is bid to pursue the enemy; and being directed by a lad where they were, fell upon them, and routed them, and brought back the captives with a great spoil, 1Sa 30:7; the distribution of the spoil, both to those that went with him, and to those who through faintness were left behind, 1Sa 30:21; and the presents of it he sent to several places in the tribe of Judah, who had been kind to him when he dwelt among them, 1Sa 30:26.

Ver. 1. And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day,....

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1 Samuel 30 — Overview1 Samuel 30 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWhen David was dismissed from the army of the Philistines he did not go over to the camp of Israel, but, being expelled by Saul, observed an exact neutrality, and silently retired to his own city Ziklag, leaving…1 Samuel 30 — Overview1 Samuel 30 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 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…1 Samuel 30:1-61 Samuel 30:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere 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…1 Samuel 30:11 Samuel 30:1 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgewere 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…1 Samuel 30:21 Samuel 30:2 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledgeslew not: 1 Samuel 30:19, 1 Samuel 27:11; Job 38:11; Psalms 76:10; Isaiah 27:8-91 Samuel 30:21 Samuel 30:2 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd had taken the women captives, that [were] therein,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David:they slew not any, either great or small; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old,…