_A.M. 2948. B.C. 1056._ Ziklag plundered: David and his men distressed, 1 Samuel 30:1. Encouraged of God, he pursues them, 1 Samuel 30:7. He gains intelligence from a straggler, 1 Samuel 30:11. Routs the enemy, and recovers all they had taken, 1 Samuel 30:16. Makes an order for dividing the spoil,... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Amalekites had invaded the south_ Namely, the southern part of Judah, and the adjacent country. This, probably, they had done to revenge themselves for David's invading their country, mentioned 1 Samuel 27:8. _And smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire_ Which they might easily do when David an... [ Continue Reading ]
_David and his people lift up their voice and wept_ As was natural, they thus gave way to the first transports of their grief on this sad sight. “It is no disparagement,” says Henry, “to the boldest, bravest spirits to lament the calamities of friends or relations.”... [ Continue Reading ]
_The people spake of stoning him_ As the cause of this calamity, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites so grievously as he had done, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving the town, their wives and children unguarded. _But David encouraged himself in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bring hither the ephod_ And put it on thyself, that thou mayest inquire of God according to his ordinance. David was sensible of his former error, in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod, when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the battle; and his necessity now brings h... [ Continue Reading ]
_He answered_ Before God answered more slowly and gradually, 1 Samuel 23:11; but now he answers speedily, and fully at once, because the business required haste. So gracious is our God, that he considers even the degree of our necessities, and accommodates himself to them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where those that were left behind stayed_ Those that were left to look after the stuff, 1 Samuel 30:24; who were so tired, that they were not able to march any further. _David pursued, he and four hundred men_ A small number for such an attempt; but David was strong in faith, giving God the glory o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three days and nights_ One whole day, and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he says, _Three days ago I fell sick;_ but in the Hebrew it is, _This is the third day since I fell sick. A young man of Egypt_ God of his providence so ordering it that he was not one of the race of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon the south of the Cherethites_ That is, _of the Philistines;_ for it is explained, 1 Samuel 30:16, to have been _the land of the Philistines._ Hence it appears that the Amalekites were enemies to the Philistines. So that David did not act against the interests of his benefactor, Achish, in maki... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nor deliver me into the hand of my master_ It is likely his master had been cruel to him, and therefore he had no mind to serve him any longer. _I will bring thee down to this company_ For, it is probable, his master had told him whither they intended to go, that he might come after them as soon as... [ Continue Reading ]
_They were spread upon all the earth_ Secure and careless, because they were now come almost to the borders of their own country, and the Philistines and Israelites both were otherwise engaged, and David, as they believed, with them. So they had no visible cause of danger; and yet then they were nea... [ Continue Reading ]
_David took all the flocks_ Which had been taken by the Amalekites from the Philistines and others. _Which they drave before those other cattle_ His soldiers drave them before those cattle that belonged to Ziklag, which the Amalekites had taken from David and his men. _And said, This is David's spoi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He saluted them_ He spoke kindly to them, and did not blame them because they went no further with them. _We will not give them aught of the spoil_ This was the resolution of such as feared not God, nor regarded man; and it was as ungenerous and unjust as it was unkind; for their brethren had staye... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall not do so, my brethren_ He uses his authority to overrule their intention; but manages the matter with all sweetness, though they were such wicked and unreasonable men, calling them brethren; not only as being of the same nation and religion with him, but as his fellow- soldiers. _With tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah_ Partly in gratitude for their former favours to him; and partly in policy to engage their affections to him. _Behold a present for you_ In the Hebrew, _a blessing._ So he calls the present, because it was a token that he wished all prosperity to them,... [ Continue Reading ]