1 Samuel 30:1

_AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN DAVID AND HIS MEN WERE COME TO ZIKLAG ON THE THIRD DAY, THAT THE AMALEKITES HAD INVADED THE SOUTH, AND ZIKLAG, AND SMITTEN ZIKLAG, AND BURNED IT WITH FIRE;_ The Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag. While the strength of the Philistine forces was poured out of their country into the plain of Esdraelon, the Amalekite marauders seized the opportunity of the defenseless state of Philistia to invade the southern territory (Negeb) of the Cherethites (Philistines) and of Judah (1 Samuel 30:14). Of course, David's town suffered from the ravages of these nomad plunderers, in revenge for his recent raid upon their territory....

1-6 When we go abroad in the way of our duty, we may comfortably hope that God will take care of our families in our absence, but not otherwise. If, when we come off a journey, we find our abode in peace, and not laid waste, as David here found his, let the Lord be praised for it. David's men murmured against him. Great faith must expect such severe trials. But, observe, that David was brought thus low, only just before he was raised to the throne. When things are at the worst with the church and people of God, then they begin to mend. David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. His men fretted at their loss, the soul of the people was bitter; their own discontent and impatience added to the affliction and misery. But David bore it better, though he had more reason than any of them to lament it. They gave liberty to their passions, but he set his graces to work; and while they dispiri...

CHAPTER XXX _While David is absent with the army of Achish, the Amalekites_ _invade Ziklag, and burn it with fire, and carry away captive_ _David's wives, and those of his men_, 1, 2. _David and his men return; and, finding the desolate state of_ _their city, are greatly affected_, 3-5. _The men mutiny, and threaten to stone David, who encourages_ _himself in the Lord_, 6. _David inquires of the Lord, and is directed to pursue the_ _Amalekites, with the promise that he shall recover all_, 7, 8. He and his men begin the pursuit,

ON THE THIRD DAY - This indicates that Aphek was three days’ march from Ziklag, say about 50 miles, which agrees very well with the probable situation of Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1 note). From Ziklag to Shunem would not be less than 80 or 90 miles. The Amalekites, in retaliation of David’s raids 1 Samuel 27:8, invaded “the south” of Judah Joshua 15:21; but owing to the absence of all the men with David there was no resistance, and consequently the women and children were carried off as prey, and uninjured....

DAVID RESCUES HIS WIVES FROM THE AMALEKITES (1 Samuel 30:1). EXPOSITION DAVID UPON HIS RETURN FINDS ZIKLAG BURNT BY THE AMALEKITES (1 Samuel 30:1). 1 SAMUEL 30:1 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

AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN DAVID AND HIS MEN WERE COME TO ZIKLAG, ON THE THIRD DAY,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out with Achish, or rather from the time of their leaving Achish, and the camp of the Philistines; so long they were upon their march homewards, see 2 Samuel 1:1; and no wonder, if it was the distance of eighty eight miles, 1 Samuel 29:11; THAT THE AMALEKITES HAD INVADED THE SOUTH, AND ZIKLAG; the southern parts of the land of the Philistines, and of Judah, as appears from 1 Samuel 30:14; taking the opportunity of the Philistines being gone into the land of Israel, and particularly of David's absence from Ziklag, to whom they bore a grudge for hi

CHAPTER 30 _ 1. The Amalekites destroy Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1)_ 2. David's distress and return unto the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6) 3. David pursues the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:9) 4. The young Egyptian and the defeat of the enemy (1 Samuel 30:11) 5. The threatening dissension and David's decision (1 Samuel 30:21) 6. The spoil sent to Judah (1 Samuel 30:26) The chastening hand of the Lord now rests heav

1 SAMUEL 30. AMALEKITE RAID ON ZIKLAG._ Cf._ above. 1 SAMUEL 30:1. On reaching Ziklag, David found that the Amalekites had sacked the town and carried off the families and property of himself and his followers. Apparently he had taken his whole force to Achish, leaving Ziklag without any adequate garrison. 1 SAMUEL 30:7. Encouraged by an oracle from Yahweh, David went in pursuit, probably southwards, overtook the raiders, annihilated them all but 400, and recovered the captives and the spoil. 1 SAMUEL 30:14. CHERETHITES: a tribe in the South or Negeb (_cf._ 1 Samuel 27:10), pr

MEN. Hebrew. _'enosh._ App-14. THE SOUTH. the _Negeb._ The hill-country S. of Judah. BURNED. burned up. See App-43....

1 Samuel 30:1-6. Sack of Ziklag in David's absence 1. _on the third day_ After leaving the Philistine army. Evidently he had not accompanied them far beyond the frontier. See note on 1 Samuel 29:2. _the Amalekites_ Possibly they had got information of David's absence, and took the opportunity to make reprisals for his raids on them (1 Samuel 27:8). _the south, and Ziklag_ The _Negeb_or "south country" is the technical name for the district between the hills of Judah and the actual desert. It is a series of rolling hills, clad with scanty herbage here and there. In places there is fine upland pasture, but not a tree nor a shrub to relieve its bareness. See Tristram, Land of Isr