1 Samuel 30:17
New International Version
David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled.

New Living Translation
David and his men rushed in among them and slaughtered them throughout that night and the entire next day until evening. None of the Amalekites escaped except 400 young men who fled on camels.

English Standard Version
And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled.

Berean Standard Bible
And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.

King James Bible
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

New King James Version
Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

New American Standard Bible
And David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

NASB 1995
David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

NASB 1977
And David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David struck them down from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.

Amplified Bible
Then David [and his men] struck them down [in battle] from twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled.

Christian Standard Bible
David slaughtered them from twilight until the evening of the next day. None of them escaped, except four hundred young men who got on camels and fled.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David slaughtered them from twilight until the evening of the next day. None of them escaped, except 400 young men who got on camels and fled.

American Standard Version
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, who rode upon camels and fled.

Contemporary English Version
David attacked just before sunrise the next day and fought until sunset. Four hundred Amalekites rode away on camels, but they were the only ones who escaped.

English Revised Version
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels and fled.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
From dawn until evening the next day, David attacked them. No one escaped except 400 young men who rode away on camels.

Good News Translation
At dawn the next day David attacked them and fought until evening. Except for four hundred young men who mounted camels and got away, none of them escaped.

International Standard Version
David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not one of them escaped except for 400 young men who mounted camels and fled.

Majority Standard Bible
And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.

NET Bible
But David struck them down from twilight until the following evening. None of them escaped, with the exception of four hundred young men who got away on camels.

New Heart English Bible
David struck them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day and he put them to death. Not a man of them escaped from there, except four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David smote them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, who rode upon camels, and fled.

World English Bible
David struck them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped from there, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David strikes them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day, and there has not escaped of them a man, except four hundred young men who have ridden on the camels and flee.

Young's Literal Translation
And David smiteth them from the twilight even unto the evening of the morrow, and there hath not escaped of them a man, except four hundred young men who have ridden on the camels, and are fled.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will smite them from the dawn and even to the evening to their morrow: and a man escaped not from them, except four hundred men of youth who rode upon camels, and they will flee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David slew them from the evening unto the evening of the next day, and there escaped not a man of them, but four hundred young men, who had gotten upon camels, and fled.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David struck them down from evening until the evening of the next day. And no one among them escaped, except four hundred youths, who had climbed on camels and fled.

New American Bible
From dawn to sundown the next day David attacked them, allowing no one to escape except four hundred young men, who mounted their camels and fled.

New Revised Standard Version
David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not one of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David smote them from the morning until evening from the rear; and there escaped not a man of them, except four hundred men who rode upon camels and fled.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David struck them from dawn and unto evening from behind them, and none of them escaped except four hundred men who rode on camels and fled
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day; and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, who rode upon camels and fled.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David came upon them, and smote them from the morning till the evening, and on the next day; and not one of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who were mounted on camels, and fled.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Destroys the Amalekites
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. 17And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. 18So David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.…

Cross References
Judges 7:22
And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 23:10
but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead.

1 Chronicles 11:14
But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

1 Chronicles 19:18
But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

2 Chronicles 14:13
Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder

2 Chronicles 20:23
The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

Isaiah 10:26
And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.

Jeremiah 49:20-21
Therefore hear the plans that the LORD has drawn up against Edom and the strategies He has devised against the people of Teman: Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; certainly their pasture will be made desolate because of them. / At the sound of their fall the earth will quake; their cry will resound to the Red Sea.

Ezekiel 25:16
therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast.

Matthew 24:22
If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.

Mark 13:20
If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

John 18:9
This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”


Treasury of Scripture

And David smote them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode on camels, and fled.

the next day [heb] their morrow

1 Samuel 11:11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

Judges 4:16
But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

1 Kings 20:29,30
And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day…

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Camels David Dusk Escaped Evening Except Hundred Morrow Mounted Ridden Rode Save Slaughtered Smote Struck Twilight Young
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Camels David Dusk Escaped Evening Except Hundred Morrow Mounted Ridden Rode Save Slaughtered Smote Struck Twilight Young
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














And David struck them down
The phrase "struck them down" indicates a decisive and complete victory. The Hebrew root word here is "נכה" (nakah), which means to smite, strike, or defeat. This action by David is not just a physical battle but a spiritual triumph, as he is executing justice and reclaiming what was unjustly taken. David's leadership and reliance on God are evident, as he acts as an instrument of divine retribution against the Amalekites, who had previously attacked Ziklag.

from twilight until the evening of the next day
This phrase highlights the duration and intensity of the battle. "Twilight" in Hebrew is "נֶשֶׁף" (neshef), which can refer to both dawn and dusk, suggesting that David's assault began at the break of day and continued relentlessly. The extended timeframe underscores the thoroughness of David's campaign and his determination to recover all that was lost. It also reflects the perseverance and endurance required in spiritual warfare, where believers are called to be steadfast and unyielding.

and not a man of them escaped
The completeness of the victory is emphasized here. The phrase signifies that David's forces were so effective that they left no room for the enemy to regroup or retaliate. This total defeat of the Amalekites serves as a reminder of God's promise to protect and deliver His people when they are faithful and obedient. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, where no power of darkness will remain.

except four hundred young men
The exception of "four hundred young men" who escaped on camels is noteworthy. The Hebrew word for "young men" is "נַעַר" (na'ar), often used to describe young warriors or servants. This detail highlights the mercy and sovereignty of God, as even in judgment, there is a remnant that survives. It also serves as a historical note, indicating the size and capability of the Amalekite forces, as well as the swiftness of their camels, which were prized for their speed and endurance in the ancient Near East.

who rode off on camels and fled
Camels were a symbol of wealth and mobility in the ancient world, and their mention here underscores the desperation and haste of the Amalekites' retreat. The act of fleeing on camels indicates a strategic withdrawal, as these animals could travel long distances across harsh terrains. This imagery can inspire believers to consider the means by which they escape spiritual danger, relying on the "armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) to stand firm against the enemy's schemes. The Amalekites' flight also serves as a metaphor for the ultimate futility of opposing God's anointed, as those who resist His will are destined to flee in defeat.

(17) From twilight even unto the evening of the next day.--Keil thinks the fighting went on from the evening twilight till the evening of the next day. Bishop Hervey, in the Speaker's Commentary, with greater probability, supposes that "the twilight is the morning twilight, as the contrast between twilight and evening rather suggests." David thus arrived at night, and finding his enemies eating and drinking, put off his attack until the morning dawn or twilight, when they would be still sleeping after their debauch. Although thus taken by surprise, their great numbers and their natural bravery enabled them to prolong the fierce struggle all through the day, and when the shades of evening were falling four hundred (we read) of the young men, a body of fugitives equal to David's own force, managed to get clear of the rout and escape. The number of slain on this occasion must have been very great.

Verse 17. - From the twilight. It has been debated whether this means the evening or the morning twilight; but the words which follow, "unto the evening of the next day," literally, "of (or for) their morrow," seem to prove that it was in the evening that David arrived. Moreover, in the morning they would not have been feasting, but sleeping. David probably attacked them at once, and slew all within reach until nightfall. The next morning the battle was renewed; but as David had but 400 men, and the Amalekites covered a large extent of country, and probably tried to defend themselves and their booty, it was not till towards the next evening that the combat and the pursuit were over. As they would need pasture and water for their cattle, they had evidently broken up into detachments, which had gone each into a different place with their herds. The pursuit must have been prolonged to a considerable distance, as no more than 400 young men escaped, and even they only by the aid of their camels.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

struck them down
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם (way·yak·kêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

from twilight
מֵהַנֶּ֥שֶׁף (mê·han·ne·šep̄)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5399: A breeze, dusk

until
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the evening
הָעֶ֖רֶב (hā·‘e·reḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

of the next day.
לְמָֽחֳרָתָ֑ם (lə·mā·ḥo·rā·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4283: The morrow, tomorrow

Not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a man
אִ֔ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

escaped,
נִמְלַ֤ט (nim·laṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

except
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

four
אַרְבַּ֨ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

hundred
מֵא֧וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

young
נַ֛עַר (na·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

men
אִֽישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

fled,
וַיָּנֻֽסוּ׃ (way·yā·nu·sū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

riding off
רָכְב֥וּ (rā·ḵə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

camels.
הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים (hag·gə·mal·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1581: A camel


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OT History: 1 Samuel 30:17 David struck them from the twilight even (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 30:16
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