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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Here we have, I. The descent which the Amalekites made upon Ziklag in David's absence, and the desolations they made there. They surprised the city when it was left unguarded, plundered it, burnt it, and carried all the women and children captives, 1 Sam. 30:1, 2. They intended, by this to revenge the like havoc that David had lately made of them and their country, 1 Sam. 27:8. He that had made so many enemies ought not to have left his own concerns so naked and defenceless. Those that make... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed ,.... Partly for the loss of his two wives, and partly because of the mutiny and murmuring of his men: for the people spake of stoning him ; as the Israelites did of Moses and Aaron, Numbers 14:10 ; the reason of this was, because, as they judged, it was owing to David that they went along with Achish, and left the city defenceless, and because he had provoked the Amalekites by his inroad upon them, who took this opportunity of avenging themselves.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:6

The people spake of stoning him - David had done much to civilize those men; but we find by this of what an unruly and ferocious spirit they were; and yet they strongly felt the ties of natural affection, they "grieved every man for his sons and for his daughters." David encouraged himself in the Lord - He found he could place very little confidence in his men; and, as he was conscious that this evil had not happened either through his neglect or folly, he saw he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-10

The spiritual uses of calamity. The facts are— 1 . David, on returning to Ziklag with his men, discovers that the Amalekites had smitten it and carried off the families as captives. 2 . In their deep distress David and his men weep bitterly. 3 . On a mutiny arising among his men, threatening his life, David betakes himself to God for comfort and guidance. 4 . Inquiring of God through the high priest, he receives assurance of success in pursuing the Amalekites, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:6

The soul of all the people was grieved. Hebrew, "was bitter." Their great sorrow is pathetically described in 1 Samuel 30:4 . But, as is often the case with those in distress, from grief they turned to anger, and sought relief for their feelings by venting their rage upon the innocent. Possibly David had not taken precautions against a danger which he had not apprehended; but, left almost friendless in the angry crowd who were calling out to stone him, he encouraged himself in Jehovah,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:6

Faith reviving in distress. I. CORRECTION . David, being a true but faulty child of God, was corrected by the rod. Quickly fell stroke after stroke. First he had to bear the galling scorn and suspicion of the Philistine lords. This was all he had gained by cajoling their king. Next he had to see Ziklag plundered and burnt. This was all he had gained by attacking the Amalekites and concealing the deed. Next, and in some respects most trying of all, he saw the loyalty of his own followers... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 30:6

1 Samuel 30:6. The people spake of stoning him As the cause of this calamity, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites so grievously as he had done, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving the town, their wives and children unguarded. But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God Who had never failed him in his greatest distresses; and in whom he still had confidence. He encouraged himself By believing that this all-wise and all-powerful Lord... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 30:6

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . grieved = embittered. every man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . encouraged = strengthened. the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 . God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 30:6

6. David was greatly distressed—He had reason, not only on his own personal account ( :-), but on account of the vehement outcry and insurrectionary threats against him for having left the place so defenseless that the families of his men fell an unresisting prey to the enemy. Under the pressure of so unexpected and widespread a calamity, of which he was upbraided as the indirect occasion, the spirit of any other leader guided by ordinary motives would have sunk; but David encouraged himself in... read more

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