1 Samuel 30:1-9

1 It happened, when David and his men were come to Tziklag on the third day, that the `Amaleki had made a raid on the South, and on Tziklag, and had struck Tziklag, and burned it with fire,

2 and had taken captive the women [and all] who were therein, both small and great: they didn't kill any, but carried them off, and went their way.

3 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 who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5 David's two wives were taken captive, Achino'am the Yizre`elite, and Avigayil the wife of Naval the Karmelite.

6 David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

7 David said to Avyatar the Kohen, the son of Achimelekh, Please bring me here the efod. Avyatar brought there the efod to David.

8 David inquired of the LORD, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? He answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake [them], and shall without fail recover [all].

9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.

1 Samuel 30:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 30

This chapter relates the condition Ziklag was in when David and his men came to it, the city burnt, and their families carried captive by the Amalekites, which occasioned not only a general lamentation, but mutiny and murmuring in David's men, 1Sa 30:1-6; the inquiry David made of the Lord what he should do, who is bid to pursue the enemy; and being directed by a lad where they were, fell upon them, and routed them, and brought back the captives with a great spoil, 1Sa 30:7-20; the distribution of the spoil, both to those that went with him, and to those who through faintness were left behind, 1Sa 30:21-25; and the presents of it he sent to several places in the tribe of Judah, who had been kind to him when he dwelt among them, 1Sa 30:26-31.