And to them which were in Hormah ,.... This was a city also in the tribe of Judah; of which see Joshua 15:30 , and to them which were in Chorashan ; or the lake of Ashan, which was in the same tribe, see Joshua 15:42 , and to them which were in Athach ; nowhere else mentioned; the Greek version has Nombe instead of it, which some take to be the same with Nob; but that was in the tribe of Benjamin. read more
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
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
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
Chor-ashan - Perhaps the same as Ashan Joshua 15:42, in the Shephelah of Judah, inhabited by Simeonites, and one of the priests’ cities 1 Chronicles 4:32; 1 Chronicles 6:59. read more
David’s victory and Saul’s defeat (30:1-31:13)When David’s men returned to Ziklag, they found it a deserted, burnt out ruin. The Amalekites had raided the cities of Philistia and Judah while all the fighting men were away at war. The shock of losing everything - wives, families and possessions - drove David to total dependence on God. It was the kind of dependence that seems to have been lacking during his sixteen months in Philistia (30:1-8).Assisted by some capable Israelite military... read more
Sharing spoil with the Judahites 30:26-31David also distributed some of the war plunder to the elders of Judah. [Note: See Youngblood, "1, 2 Samuel," p. 795, for the locations of the sites named in 1 Samuel 30:27-30.] He evidently did so because he viewed the booty as coming from the enemies of all Judah, even the enemies of the Lord (1 Samuel 30:26). He may have also done this to curry favor with the elders. They later anointed David king over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4; 2 Samuel 5:1-3).... read more
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
(30) Hormah . . . Chor-ashan . . . Athach.—Hormah, called by the Canaanites Zephath, still exists in the modern village of Zep-ata. Chor-ashan is probably the same as Ashan (Joshua 15:30): it has not been discovered in modern times. Athach is quite unknown. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:21-31
We have here an account of the distribution of the spoil which as taken from the Amalekites. When the Amalekites had carried away a rich booty from the land of Judah and the Philistines they spent it in sensuality, in eating, and drinking, and making merry with it; but David disposed of the spoil taken after another manner, as one that knew that justice and charity must govern us in the use we make of whatever we have in this world. What God gives us he designs we should do good with, not... read more