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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 30:16-20

David’s successful victory over the Amalekites 30:16-20The Amalekites were feasting on the plunder that they had taken, although the Egyptian servant had received nothing to eat or drink when he fell ill (cf. 1 Samuel 30:12). David launched his attack early in the morning the next day and continued fighting until night fell. Since 400 of the Amalekites escaped, as many as the total number of David’s soldiers (1 Samuel 30:10), they obviously had a much larger army than David did. The camel was... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

The Amalekites raid Ziklag, and are pursued by David2. Slew not any] They would be valuable as slaves. 6. Spake of stoning him] They probably thought he had been negligent in leaving Ziklag without a guard. 8. Enquired at the lord] by means of the Urim in the ephod: see on Exodus 28:30. 13. My master left me] The life of a slave was of little more importance than that of a horse.14. The Cherethites] Cherethite is used with Pelethite, perhaps another name for Philistine: see 1 Samuel 30:16 and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 30:20

(20) The flocks and the herds, which they drave.—In the English translation the word “which,” inserted in italics, obscures the sense; the literal reading is, “And David took all the flocks and the herds; they drove them before their cattle, and said, this is David’s spoil.” David took, no doubt, by popular acclamation as his share of the plunder, all the flocks and herds belonging to the Amalekites, mostly acquired, no doubt, in the late raid; these were driven in front of “those cattle” thus... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

The Golden Art of Self-encouragement 1 Samuel 30:6 'He ran to his cordial' is the sententious comment of John Trapp. He sorely needed a cordial. What mercy that he knew where the cordial was! He discovered it in the heart of God. David's soul was overwhelmed within him. Every prospect was doleful. Black skies frowned over his head. He was exhausted. All the springs seemed dried up. 'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.' Yes, He knew his cordial, and in the exigent hour he ran to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

CHAPTER XXXV.DAVID AT ZIKLAG.1 Samuel 30:1-31.AFTER David had received from King Achish the appointment of captain of his body guard, he had with his troops accompanied the Philistine army, passing along the maritime plain to the very end of their journey - to the spot selected for battle, close to "the fountain which is in Jezreel." It seems to have been only after the whole Philistine host were ranged in battle array that the presence of David and his men, who remained in the rear to protect... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

CHAPTER 30 1. The Amalekites destroy Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1-5 ) 2. David’s distress and return unto the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6-8 ) 3. David pursues the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:9-10 ) 4. The young Egyptian and the defeat of the enemy (1 Samuel 30:11-20 ) 5. The threatening dissension and David’s decision (1 Samuel 30:21-25 ) 6. The spoil sent to Judah (1 Samuel 30:26-31 ) The chastening hand of the Lord now rests heavily upon wayward, backsliding David. The Amalekites had destroyed... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 30:20

30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, [which] they drave before those [other] cattle, and said, This [is] David’s {k} spoil.(k) Which the Amalekites had taken from others, and David from them, besides the goods of Ziklag. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Returning to Ziklag, David and his men find themselves described by the meaning of Zikiag's name, "enveloped in grief." They had been at least some days away, and the Amalekites had invaded the land, sacking Zikiag and burning it. They had not killed the women and children, but had taken them captive (v.2). David had before attacked the Amalekites in a certain area at least and killed men, women and children (ch.27:8-9). Likely other remaining Amalekites would hear of it, so that this attack... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

SAUL ’S CAREER ENDED CALAMITY FORETOLD (1 Samuel 28:0 ) This chapter is important and illustrates again the deceptive character of Saul. Having professedly put the necromancers out of Israel in obedience to the divine command (Leviticus 19:31 ; Leviticus 20:27 ; Deuteronomy 18:10-11 ), he no sooner finds himself in straits than he seeks out one of them for his aid. Two questions arise. Did Samuel really come forth from the dead, and was it the woman’s power that brought him forth? To the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Atheistic Reasoning 1Sa 29:6 ; 1Sa 30:6 THE trials which David underwent at the hands of Saul have now been fully dwelt upon; we now come to a different class of trials, viz., the afflictions which were laid upon David by the Philistines. When David was so severely persecuted by Saul, he went over to the Philistines; specially he allied himself with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, and fought under his direction. David succeeded in winning the confidence of Achish, so much so that on... read more

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