1 Samuel 30:15
New International Version
David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”

New Living Translation
“Will you lead me to this band of raiders?” David asked. The young man replied, “If you take an oath in God’s name that you will not kill me or give me back to my master, then I will guide you to them.”

English Standard Version
And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”

King James Bible
And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

New King James Version
And David said to him, “Can you take me down to this troop?” So he said, “Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop.”

New American Standard Bible
Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band of raiders?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”

NASB 1995
Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”

NASB 1977
Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not put me to death or surrender me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”

Amplified Bible
Then David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band [of raiders]?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or turn me over to the hand of my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”

Christian Standard Bible
David then asked him, “Will you lead me to these raiders? ” He said, “Swear to me by God that you won’t kill me or turn me over to my master, and I will lead you to them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David then asked him, “Will you lead me to these raiders?” He said, “Swear to me by God that you won’t kill me or turn me over to my master, and I will lead you to them.”

American Standard Version
And David said to him, Wilt thou bring me down to this troop? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this troop.

Contemporary English Version
"Will you take me to those Amalekites?" David asked. "Yes, I will, if you promise with God as a witness that you won't kill me or hand me over to my master."

English Revised Version
And David said to him, Wilt thou bring me down to this troop? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this troop.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Will you lead me to these troops?" David asked him. He answered, "Take an oath in front of God that you won't kill me or hand me over to my master, and I'll lead you to these troops."

Good News Translation
"Will you lead me to those raiders?" David asked him. He answered, "I will if you promise me in God's name that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master."

International Standard Version
David asked him, "Will you take me to this raiding party?" He said, "Swear to me by God that you won't kill me or turn me over to my master, and I'll take you to the raiding party."

Majority Standard Bible
?Will you lead me to these raiders?? David asked. And the man replied, ?Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.?

NET Bible
David said to him, "Can you take us down to this raiding party?" He said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to this raiding party."

New Heart English Bible
David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this troop?" He said, "Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this troop." And he swore to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to him, Canst thou conduct me down to this company? And he said, Swear to me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will lead thee down to this company.

World English Bible
David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this troop?” He said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me and not deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this troop.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says to him, “Do you bring me down to this troop?” And he says, “Swear to me by God [that] you do not put me to death, nor do you shut me up into the hand of my lord, and I bring you down to this troop.”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith unto him, 'Dost thou bring me down unto this troop?' and he saith, 'Swear to me by God -- thou dost not put me to death, nor dost thou shut me up into the hand of my lord -- and I bring thee down unto this troop.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to him, Wilt thou bring me down to this troop? And he will say, Swear to me by God if thou wilt kill me, and if thou wilt deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will bring thee down to this troop.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said to him: Canst thou bring me to this company? And he said: Swear to me by God, that thou wilt not kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee to this company. And David swore to him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David said to him, “Are you able to lead me to this battle line?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me, and that you will not deliver me into the hands of my lord, and I will lead you to this battle line.” And David swore to him.

New American Bible
David then asked him, “Will you lead me down to these raiders?” He answered, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will lead you down to the raiders.”

New Revised Standard Version
David said to him, “Will you take me down to this raiding party?” He said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me, or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David said to him, Will you bring me down to this band of robbers? And he said to him. Swear to me by the LORD that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will show you this band of robbers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
David said to him: “Take me down to this band of robbers!” He said to him, “Swear to me by LORD JEHOVAH that you will not kill me and you will not hand me over into the hand of my Master, and I shall show you this band of robbers!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said to him: 'Wilt thou bring me down to this troop?' And he said: 'Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this troop.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said to him, Wilt thou bring me down to this troop? And he said, Swear now to me by God, that thou wilt not kill me, and that thou wilt not deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down upon this troop.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Destroys the Amalekites
14We raided the Negev of the Cherethites, the territory of Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned down Ziklag.” 15“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.” 16So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:22
But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

Joshua 2:12-14
Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign / that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.” / “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”

Judges 1:24-25
and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.

2 Kings 6:19-23
And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. / When they had entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” Then the LORD opened their eyes, and they looked around and discovered that they were in Samaria. / And when the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” ...

Genesis 24:49
Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

2 Samuel 9:1-7
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?” / And there was a servant of the house of Saul named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. / So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show the kindness of God?” Ziba answered, “There is still Jonathan’s son, who is lame in both feet.” ...

2 Kings 7:6-7
For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” / Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives.

2 Kings 5:2-3
At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.”

1 Kings 20:31-34
Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” / So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” / Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. ...

2 Chronicles 28:9-15
But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army that returned to Samaria. “Look,” he said to them, “because of His wrath against Judah, the LORD, the God of your fathers, has delivered them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. / And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But are you not also guilty before the LORD your God? / Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives you took from your kinsmen, for the fierce anger of the LORD is upon you.” ...

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 10:37
“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

And David said to him, Can you bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear to me by God, that you will neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this company.

Swear

1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

Joshua 2:12
Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

Joshua 9:15,19,20
And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them…

nor deliver

Deuteronomy 23:15,16
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: …

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1 Samuel 30
1. The Amalekites raid Ziklag
4. David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them
11. By the means of a received Egyptian he is brought to the enemies,
18. and recovers all the spoil
22. David's law to divide the spoil equally
26. He sends presents to his friends














Then David asked him
This phrase highlights David's initiative and leadership. In the Hebrew context, the name "David" means "beloved," and his actions here reflect his role as a shepherd and leader of his people. David's inquiry shows his reliance on God for guidance and his strategic mind in seeking information to recover what was lost.

Can you lead me down
The phrase "lead me down" indicates a request for guidance and direction. In the Hebrew tradition, leadership is often associated with divine guidance. David's question is not just about physical direction but also about seeking God's providence in his mission to rescue his people.

to this raiding party
The "raiding party" refers to the Amalekites who had attacked Ziklag. Historically, the Amalekites were a nomadic tribe, often in conflict with Israel. This context underscores the ongoing struggle between God's people and their enemies, symbolizing the spiritual battles believers face.

Swear to me by God
The request for an oath "by God" reflects the seriousness and sacredness of the promise. In ancient Israel, swearing by God was a binding commitment, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity. This highlights the moral and ethical standards expected of God's people.

that you will not kill me
The plea for protection reveals the vulnerability of the speaker, an Egyptian servant. It underscores the biblical theme of mercy and justice, reminding believers of God's call to protect and care for the vulnerable and oppressed.

or deliver me into the hands of my master
This phrase indicates fear of retribution from the Amalekite master. It reflects the harsh realities of servitude and the lack of autonomy experienced by servants in ancient times. The request for safety is a cry for deliverance, echoing the broader biblical narrative of God's deliverance of His people.

and I will take you down to them
The promise to "take you down" signifies cooperation and trust. It is a pivotal moment where the servant becomes an ally in David's mission. This cooperation reflects the biblical principle of working together for a common good, guided by God's providence.

(15) By God.--The oath was to be by "Elohim," not by Jehovah, of whom the Egyptian knew nothing.

And I will bring thee down.--His accurate knowledge of the route taken by the Amalekites, and his clear account of the late raid, show that he was a person of no ordinary ability; he was probably an Egyptian merchant or wealthy trader captured in some border fray.

Verse 15. - To this company. Better, "troop." The word signifies a band of soldiers, robbers, or the like. Required by David to act as his guide, the Egyptian consents upon condition that David bind himself neither to kill him, it being one of the unscrupulous customs of ancient warfare to put deserters, persons forced to act as guides, and even noncombatants, to death to save trouble; nor give him up to his master, who would treat him in the same way.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Will you lead
הֲתוֹרִדֵ֖נִי (hă·ṯō·w·ri·ḏê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

me to
אֵלָיו֙ (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

these
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

raiders?”
הַגְּד֣וּד (hag·gə·ḏūḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1416: A band, troop

David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

asked.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

And [the man] replied,
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Swear
הִשָּׁבְעָה֩ (hiš·šā·ḇə·‘āh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to me
לִּ֨י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

by God
בֵֽאלֹהִ֜ים (ḇê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

that you will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

kill me
תְּמִיתֵ֗נִי (tə·mî·ṯê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

[or]
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

deliver me
תַּסְגִּרֵ֙נִי֙ (tas·gi·rê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

into the hands
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of my master,
אֲדֹנִ֔י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

and I will lead
וְאוֹרִֽדְךָ֖ (wə·’ō·w·riḏ·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

you to them.”
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT History: 1 Samuel 30:15 David said to him Will you bring (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 30:14
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