1 Samuel 30:2

2 and had taken captive the women [and all] that were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.

1 Samuel 30:2 Meaning and 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 by selling them for slaves; no doubt they were restrained by the providence of God:

but carried [them] away, and went on their way;
homewards with their captives.

1 Samuel 30:2 In-Context

1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South, and upon Ziklag, and had smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire,

2 and had taken captive the women [and all] that were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.

3 And when David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.

4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5 And David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.