1 Samuel 17:53

53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they pillaged their camps.

1 Samuel 17:53 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 17:53

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the
Philistines
The remainder that escaped having got into their fortified cities:

and they spoiled their tents;
which they left in their camp, all their armour, goods, money, and provisions, they found there, they seized upon as their prey and booty; these they did not stay to meddle with as soon as the Philistines fled, but first pursued them, and slew as many of them as they could, and then returned to the spoil; which was wisely done.

1 Samuel 17:53 In-Context

51 And David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him completely, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled.

52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou comest to the ravine and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down on the way to Shaaraim, even to Gath, and to Ekron.

53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they pillaged their camps.

54 And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.

55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this young man? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.