1 Samuel 30:6-15

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:7-20

Solomon observes that the righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead, that the just falleth seven times a-day and riseth again; so it was with David. Many were his troubles, but the Lord delivered him out of them all, and particularly out of this of which we have here an account. I. He enquired of the Lord both concerning his duty?Shall I pursue after this troop? and concerning the event?Shall I overtake them? 1 Sam. 30:8. It was a great advantage to David that he... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:7

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son ,.... The son of Ahimelech, who was slain at Nob by the order of Saul, 1 Samuel 22:19 ; and Abiathar his son, who fled to David with the ephod, on the death of his father, 1 Samuel 22:20 , was now high priest in his room; and who it seems was with David when he went with Achish, and returned with him; for had he been left at Ziklag, he and his ephod, in all probability, had been carried off by the Amalekites, unless we can suppose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:8

And David inquired of the Lord ,.... That is, by Abiathar, who reported his questions to the Lord in his name: saying, shall I pursue after this troop ? the large company of the Amalekites, as it appears by what follows they were: shall I overtake them ? two questions are here put together, and answers returned to them, contrary to a notion of the Jews; See Gill on 1 Samuel 23:11 , and he answered him, pursue ; which respects the first question: for thou shall surely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:9

So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him ,.... Encouraged by the oracle of the Lord: and came to the brook Besor ; which Adrichomius F17 Theatrum Terrae Sanct. p. 133. places in the tribe of Simeon; it is thought to be near Gaza. Aristaeus F18 Hist. 72. Interpret. p. 41. speaks of brooks that flowed by Gaza and Ashdod, places that belonged to the Philistines; some take it to be the river of the wilderness in Amos; see Gill on Amos 6:14 , where those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:10

But David pursued, he and four hundred men ,.... Not discouraged with being obliged to leave a third part of his little army behind; though it was doubtless a trial of his faith, with these to pursue an enemy, whose numbers he knew not, which must greatly exceed his; for after the rout and slaughter of them, as many escaped on camels as David had with him, 1 Samuel 30:17 , for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint ; through their grief and sorrow for the loss of their wives and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:11

And they found an Egyptian in the field ,.... As they passed along, lying there, having been sick, and was half starved, almost dead: and brought him to David ; to know what was to be done with him; being in the habit of a soldier, they concluded he might be one of the company they were in pursuit of; but whether they should kill him, or make use of him for intelligence and as a guide, could they bring him to himself, they knew not, and therefore brought him to David: and gave him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:12

And they gave him a piece of cake of figs ,.... That were dried and pressed together, and made into cakes: and two clusters of raisins ; or dried grapes, as the Targum: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him ; he seemed to be quite dispirited, almost lifeless, but upon eating some food he was refreshed, and his spirits revived, and he was capable of conversing: for he had eaten no bread, nor drank any water, three days and three nights ; that is, one whole day, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:13

And David said unto him, to whom belongest thou ?.... To what country or people? and to whom among them? and whence art thou ? of what nation? where wast thou born? what countryman art thou? for his being called an Egyptian before seems to be by anticipation, unless it was guessed at by his habit; for until he had eaten and drank he could not speak, and so could not be known by his speech: for he said, I am a young man of Egypt ; that was the country he belonged to, and came... read more

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