1 Samuel 30
Tyndale Open Study Notes · Tyndale Open Study Notes
1 Samuel 30:1
30:1 Ziklag: See study note on 27:6. • Perhaps the Amalekites were retaliating for David’s raids against them (27:8).
1 Samuel 30:2-4
30:2 There were no fighting men left in Ziklag to protect the women and children. The Amalekites had a reputation for preying on the weak and vulnerable (see Deut 25:17-18). • without killing anyone: The Amalekites were not being compassionate; women and children were more useful alive than dead.
1 Samuel 30:5
30:5 Ahinoam: See study note on 25:43. • Abigail: See 25:3-42.
1 Samuel 30:6
30:6 in great danger: Saul had used the same expression about himself: When “in deep trouble” (28:15), Saul turned to necromancy, with disastrous results. David, by contrast, found strength and success in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:7
30:7 the ephod: See study notes on 2:18; 23:6.
1 Samuel 30:8
30:8 Unlike Saul (28:6), David inquired of the Lord successfully (see 23:9-12; 2 Sam 2:1; 5:19, 23).
1 Samuel 30:9
30:9 Besor was a large brook in Philistine territory that emptied into the Mediterranean southwest of Gaza.
1 Samuel 30:10
30:10 too exhausted: David’s men had traveled for three days (30:1) and were now in hot pursuit of the Amalekites without having rested. David did not upbraid them or drive them on mercilessly. See 30:23-25.
1 Samuel 30:11-12
30:11-12 David had once received bread when he was famished (21:3-7). He and his men helped this Egyptian man before they even knew his identity or his ability to help their cause.
1 Samuel 30:13
30:13 because I was sick: Only healthy and vigorous slaves were valuable to the Amalekites; the rest were expendable.
1 Samuel 30:14-16
30:14 The land of Caleb was in the wilderness of Judah, south of Hebron (see Josh 14:6-15).
1 Samuel 30:17-20
30:17 The total number of Amalekite raiders must have been quite large if 400 young men escaped.
1 Samuel 30:21
30:21-31 David generously divided the spoils among those who participated in the battle and those who were too exhausted to take part. 30:21 greeted them joyfully: David did not reprimand them for not participating in the battle.
1 Samuel 30:22
30:22 tell them to be gone: This heartless group wanted to drive away the nonparticipants with no reward.
1 Samuel 30:23
30:23 what the Lord has given: Some of David’s men ascribed success to their own military prowess; David attributed victory to God and gave him the glory.
1 Samuel 30:24-25
30:24 share and share alike: Cp. Num 31:25-47, where Moses divided the plunder of war between those who fought and the rest of the people.
1 Samuel 30:26
30:26 elders of Judah . . . his friends: David extended his generosity to influential people throughout his own tribal area, possibly to secure their support for him as king.
1 Samuel 30:27-30
30:27-30 The places mentioned here were all in southern Judah. David eventually emerged from this territory as king (see 2 Sam 2:1-4).
1 Samuel 30:31
30:31 From Hebron, David reigned as king over Judah for 7½ years (2 Sam 2:1-7; 5:5).