1 Samuel 17:53

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:48-58 See how frail and uncertain life is, even when a man thinks himself best fortified; how quickly, how easily, and by how small a matter, the passage may be opened for life to go out, and death to enter! Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the armed man in his armour. God resists the proud, and pours contempt on those who defy him and his people. No one ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. The history is recorded, that all may exert themselves for the honour of God, and the support of his cause, with bold and unshaken reliance on him. There is one conflict in which all the followers of the Lamb are, and must be engaged; one enemy, more formidable than Goliath, still challenges the armies of Israel. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Go forth to battle with the faith of David, and the powers of darkness shall not stand against you. But how often is the Christian foiled through an evil heart of unbelief!

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The men of Israel and Judah - See 1 Samuel 15:4 note.

Shaaraim - A town of Judah in the Shephelah (see the marginal reference), at this time probably in the possession of the Philistines.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

52. Shaaraim—(See Jos 15:36).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Heb. their camps, i.e. their camp; but he speaks of it in the plural number, because of the great extent and various quarters of their camp.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines,.... The remainder that escaped having got into their fortified cities:

and they spoiled their tents; which they left in their camp, all their armour, goods, money, and provisions, they found there, they seized upon as their prey and booty; these they did not stay to meddle with as soon as the Philistines fled, but first pursued them, and slew as many of them as they could, and then returned to the spoil; which was wisely done.

Geneva Study Bible

And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

1 Samuel 17:53

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

After returning from the pursuit of the flying foe, the Israelites plundered the camp of the Philistines. אהרי דּלק, to pursue hotly, as in Genesis 31:36.