1 Samuel 30:1-4 NIV

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 30:1

And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day ,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out with Achish, or rather from the time of their leaving Achish, and the camp of the Philistines; so long they were upon their march homewards, see 2 Samuel 1:1 ; and no wonder, if it was the distance of eighty eight miles; see Gill on 1 Samuel 29:11 , that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag ; the southern parts of the land of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:2

And had taken the women captives, that were therein ,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David: they slew not any, either great or small ; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old, or maidens, or children; which was very much, since David destroyed all that came within his reach, men and women, when he invaded them, 1 Samuel 27:9 ; but perhaps this was not owing to their humanity, but to their covetousness, designing to make an advantage of them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:3

So David and his men came to the city ,.... Or however to the place where it had stood, and where it now lay in ruins: and, behold, it was burnt with fire ; the whole city was laid in ashes: and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives ; as it appeared afterwards; for upon their first coming they knew not but they were all destroyed; and which they might reasonably suppose from their former treatment of them, unless there were any left upon the spot... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:4

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice ,.... In doleful shrieks, and loud lamentations: and wept, until they had no more power to weep ; till nature was quite exhausted, and no moisture left; so the Vulgate Latin version, "till tears failed in them"; they could shed no more. read more

Adam Clarke

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

On the third day - This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek. Calmet supposes that Aphek was distant from Ziklag more than thirty leagues. The Amalekites had invaded - These were, doubtless, a travelling predatory horde, who, availing themselves of the war between the Philistines and the Israelites, plundered several unprotected towns, and among them Ziklag. It is likely they had not heard of what David did to some of their tribes, else they would... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:4

Wept , until they had no more power to weep - This marks great distress; they wept, as says the Vulgate, till their tears failed them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1

DAVID RESCUES HIS WIVES FROM THE AMALEKITES ( 1 Samuel 30:1-31 ). EXPOSITION DAVID UPON HIS RETURN FINDS ZIKLAG BURNT BY THE AMALEKITES ( 1 Samuel 30:1-6 ). On the third day. David evidently could not have gone with the Philistines As far as to Shunem; for, as noticed in the previous chapter, it would have been impossible to march back to Ziklag in so short a time. But as he had gone first to Gath, where no doubt Achish collected his vassals,... 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 30:2-5

They slew not any. No resistance was made, as the men of war were all away. It was probably for thus leaving their wives and families absolutely defenceless that David's people were so angry with him. As we are told in 1 Samuel 27:3 that the refugees with David had brought each his household with him into the Philistine territory, the number of women must have been large. The Amalekites spared their lives, not because they were more merciful than David, but because women and children were... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:2-5

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