And to them which were in Rachal ,.... Another city of the tribe of Judah, but nowhere else spoken of: and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites : which lay to the south of Judah, 1 Samuel 27:10 , and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites ; who dwelt in the wilderness of Judah, in the south of Arad, Judges 1:16 . read more
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
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
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
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
(29) Rachal.—The name Rachal never occurs again, and is quite unknown. Here the LXX., instead of Rachal, have five different names—Ged, Kimath, Saphek, Themath, Karmel. No satisfactory explanation has been suggested for this strange addition; three of them are unknown, and the other two—Gad (Gath) and Carmel—places we should certainly not expect to meet in this catalogue.The cities of the Jerahmeelites and Kenites.—These places were situated in the south of Judah; they cannot be traced. read more
The Golden Art of Self-encouragement 1 Samuel 30:6 'He ran to his cordial' is the sententious comment of John Trapp. He sorely needed a cordial. What mercy that he knew where the cordial was! He discovered it in the heart of God. David's soul was overwhelmed within him. Every prospect was doleful. Black skies frowned over his head. He was exhausted. All the springs seemed dried up. 'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.' Yes, He knew his cordial, and in the exigent hour he ran to... 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