Hormah - The general name of those cities which belonged to Arad, king of Canaan; and were devoted to destruction by the Hebrews, and thence called Hormah. See Numbers 21:1-3 . In Chor-ashan - Probably the same as Ashan in the tribe of Judah: see Joshua 15:42 ; (note). It was afterwards ceded to Simeon, Joshua 19:7 . To them which were in Athach - Probably the same as Ether, Joshua 19:7 . read more
To them which were in Hebron - This was a place strongly attached to David, and David to it, and the place where he was proclaimed king, and where he reigned more than seven years previously to the death of Ishbosheth, Saul's son, who was, for that time, his competitor in the kingdom. David's having sent presents to all these places, not only shows his sense of gratitude, but that the booty which he took from the Amalekites must have been exceedingly great. And we learn from this... read more
The law of service. The facts are— 1 . On returning to the men who had remained at Besor, some of David's followers oppose his intention to give them a share of the spoil, and are even desirous of sending them away. 2 . David resists this spirit as being inconsistent with gratitude to God for his care and aid, and with strict justice to those who serve in humble form according to their strength. 3 . David's decision becomes a standing ordinance in Israel's future national life.... read more
The elders of Judah. The spoil taken from the Amalekites and assigned to David must have been very large, as it was worth distributing so widely. He did not, however, send to all the elders of Judah, but to such only as were his friends. A present. Hebrew, "a blessing" (see on 1 Samuel 25:27 ). read more
Bethel cannot be the famous city of that name, but is probably the Bethul of Joshua 19:4 , where it is mentioned as lying near Hormah and Ziklag. South Ramoth. Hebrew, "Ramoth-Negeb," called Ramath-Negeb in Joshua 19:8 . Like Bethul, it was a Simeonite village. Jattir belonged to Judah ( Joshua 15:48 ), and was one of the cities assigned to the priests ( Joshua 21:14 ). read more
Aroer , a different place from that on the eastern side of the Jordan, mentioned in Joshua 12:2 , is probably the ruin 'Ar'arah, twelve miles east of Beer-sheba. Siphmoth . Some village in the Negeb, but unknown. Eshtemoa ( Joshua 15:50 ), the present village Semu'ah, south of Hebron. read more
Rachal . Rather Racal, unknown, The supposition that it may be Camel is untenable. The Jerahmeelites; see on 1 Samuel 27:10 , as also for the Kenites. read more
Hormah . Anciently called Zephath. For the reason of the change of name see 1:17 . Chor-ashan. More correctly Cor-ashan, the same place as Ashan ( Joshua 15:42 ), a Simeonite town ( 1 Chronicles 4:32 ) assigned to the priests ( Joshua 6:1-27 :59). Athach , never mentioned elsewhere, may be a false reading for Ether ( Joshua 19:7 ). read more
Hebron , destined soon to become David's capital ( 2 Samuel 2:1 ), lay about fourteen miles south of Jerusalem. For an account of it see Conder, 'Tent Work,' 2.79, sqq. In comparing the list of David's heroes ( 1 Chronicles 11:26-47 ) with this catalogue of friendly towns, it will be found that several of them came from them, and had probably shared his exile at Ziklag. Such were Ira and Gareb, Ithrites from Jattir, Shama and Jehiel from Aroer; perhaps also Zabdi the Shiphmite ( 1... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:29
Them which were in Rachal - We know not where this place was; it is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible. Calmet conjectures that Hachilah, 1 Samuel 23:19 , may be the same place; here we know David did conceal himself for some time, till the Ziphites endeavored to betray him to Saul. The cities of the Jerahmeelites - See before, 1 Samuel 27:10 ; (note). And - the cities of the Kenites - A very small tract on the southern coast of the Dead Sea. read more