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, and then marched northwards with the army for two days, he must altogether have been absent from Ziklag for some little time. The Amalelkites. Doubtless they were glad to retaliate upon David for his cruel treatment of them; but, besides, they lived by rapine, and when the fighting men of Philistia and of Judaea were marching away to war, it was just the opportunity which they wished of spoiling the defenceless country. The south. I.e. the Negeb, for which see 1 Samuel 27:10 . It was the name especially given to the southern district of Judah, whence these freebooters turned westward towards Ziklag. They would probably not dare to penetrate far into either territory. The word for invaded is the same as in 1 Samuel 27:8 , and implies that they spread themselves over the country to drive off cattle and booty, but with no intention of fighting battles.