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. And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day.This phrase highlights David's military prowess and the divine favor he enjoyed. The context is David's pursuit of the Amalekites, who had raided Ziklag, capturing the families of David and his men. The term "twilight" suggests a surprise attack, a common tactic in ancient warfare, indicating David's strategic acumen. The extended duration of the battle, "until the evening of the next day," underscores the intensity and thoroughness of the conflict. This victory can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to David, as he inquired of the Lord before pursuing the Amalekites ( 1 Samuel 30:8). The complete defeat of the enemy also prefigures the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as David is often seen as a type of Christ. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled,
The phrase "not a man escaped" emphasizes the totality of David's victory, showcasing his leadership and the effectiveness of his forces. The mention of "four hundred young men" who fled highlights the desperation and disarray among the Amalekites. The number four hundred is significant in biblical narratives, often representing a substantial group, yet in this context, it is a remnant compared to the total force David faced. This escape of a small group contrasts with the complete recovery of all that was taken from David and his men, illustrating God's provision and faithfulness. riding off on camels.
Camels were valuable assets in ancient Near Eastern cultures, used for long-distance travel and trade due to their endurance in desert conditions. The fact that the young men fled "riding off on camels" indicates their preparedness for a quick escape, suggesting that the Amalekites anticipated the possibility of needing to retreat. This detail also reflects the historical and cultural context of the time, where camels were a symbol of wealth and mobility. The use of camels by the fleeing Amalekites contrasts with the Israelites, who primarily used donkeys and horses, highlighting the differences in resources and lifestyle between the two groups. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe anointed king of Israel, known for his leadership and reliance on God. In this passage, he leads a successful attack against the Amalekites. 2. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe and long-time enemies of Israel. They had raided Ziklag, taking captives and spoils, prompting David's pursuit. 3. ZiklagA Philistine town given to David by Achish, king of Gath. It served as David's base during his time in exile from Saul. 4. Twilight until the evening of the next dayThis time frame indicates the duration of David's relentless pursuit and battle against the Amalekites. 5. Four hundred young menThese were the Amalekite survivors who escaped on camels, highlighting the completeness of David's victory. Teaching Points Complete ObedienceDavid's thorough defeat of the Amalekites contrasts with Saul's earlier failure. This highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. God's FaithfulnessDespite the dire situation, God provided David with victory, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who trust in Him. Leadership and CourageDavid's leadership in pursuing the Amalekites shows the importance of courage and decisiveness in overcoming challenges. Divine JusticeThe defeat of the Amalekites serves as a reminder of God's justice against those who oppose His people. Perseverance in BattleThe extended duration of the battle underscores the need for perseverance in spiritual warfare. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's complete victory over the Amalekites serve as a model for obedience in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our personal battles, similar to how David experienced it? 3. How does David's leadership in this passage inspire us to lead with courage and decisiveness in our own spheres of influence? 4. What lessons can we learn about divine justice from the defeat of the Amalekites, and how does this apply to our understanding of God's character? 5. How can we apply the principle of perseverance in spiritual warfare to our daily struggles and challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:8-16The initial conflict between Israel and the Amalekites, where God promises to blot out the memory of Amalek. 1 Samuel 15Saul's incomplete obedience in dealing with the Amalekites, contrasting with David's thorough victory. Psalm 18:37-42David's psalm of deliverance, reflecting his reliance on God for victory over his enemies. People Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, NabalPlaces Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, ZiklagTopics Camels, David, Dusk, Escaped, Evening, Except, Fighting, Fled, Flight, Fought, Got, Hundred, Morrow, Mounted, None, Ridden, Rode, Save, Slaughtered, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Till, TwilightDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 30:16 5312 feasting
5850 excess
5866 gluttony 1 Samuel 30:11-16 7266 tribes of Israel Library At the Front or the Base
'As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.'--1 Samuel xxx. 24. David's city of Ziklag had been captured by the Amalekites, while he and all his men who could carry arms were absent, serving in the army of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. On their return they found ruin, their homes harried, their wives, children, and property carried off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit of the spoilers, who had had a …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Secret of Courage
'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'--1 Samuel xxx. 6. David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's persistent hostility, to take refuge in the Philistines' country. He had gathered around himself a band of desperate men, and was living very much like a freebooter. He had found refuge in a little city of the Philistines, far down in the South, from which he and his men had marched as a contingent …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE themselves with a leader must share his fortunes. Six hundred men had quitted their abodes in Judaea; unable to endure the tyranny of Saul they had linked themselves with David, and made him to be a captain over them. They were, some of them, the best of men, and some of them were the worst: in this, resembling our congregations. Some of them were choice spirits, whom David would have sought, but others were undesirable persons, from whom he might gladly have been free. However, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 30:17 NIV1 Samuel 30:17 NLT1 Samuel 30:17 ESV1 Samuel 30:17 NASB1 Samuel 30:17 KJV
1 Samuel 30:17 Commentaries
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