1 Samuel 30:27

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:27

To them which were in Bethel ,.... One part of the spoil was sent to them; not to those in Bethel, in the tribe of Benjamin, but in Kirjathjearim, called Bethel, or the house of God, because the ark was there, see 1 Samuel 7:1 ; moreover, this place was also called Baalah, which some think is referred to here, see Joshua 15:9 , and to them which were in south Ramoth ; a city of the tribe of Simeon, which lay within the lot of Judah; of which see Joshua 19:8 , and to ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:27

To them which were in Beth-el - This was in the tribe of Ephraim. South Ramoth - So called to distinguish it from Ramoth Gilead, beyond Jordan. This Ramoth belonged to the tribe of Simeon, Joshua 19:8 . In Jattir - Supposed by Calmet to be the same as Ether, Joshua 15:42 , but more probably Jattir, Joshua 15:48 . It was situated in the mountains, and belonged to Judah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:21-31

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:27

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 30:27

Bethel - i. e. Bethuel 1 Chronicles 4:30, quite in the south near Beer-sheba, Hormah, and Ziklag; or Bethul Joshua 19:4, one of the cities of the Simeonites.South Ramoth - Rather, “Ramoth of the South country” 1 Samuel 27:10; 1Sa 30:1, 1 Samuel 30:14, so-called to distinguish it from Ramoth-Gilead, one of the Simeonite cities Joshua 19:8. Shimei, the Ramathite 1 Chronicles 27:27, who was over David’s vineyards, was evidently a native of this Ramath. See below 1 Samuel 30:28.Jattir - “In the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 30:26-31

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

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 30:27

(27) Bethel . . . South Ramoth . . . Yattir.—Here follows an enumeration of the cities of Judah to whom David sent, most of which have been identified. Bethel—evidently not the well known place of that name, but Bethuel or Bethul in the tribe of Simeon. The LXX. read here Baithsour. South Ramoth, i.e., Ramah of the South. Shimei, who was over David’s vineyards, was most likely a native of this town (1 Chronicles 27:27). The place has not been identified. Yattir—the present Attir in the southern... read more

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