Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Samuel 30

• Ziklag: See study note on 1 Samuel 27:6.

• The Amalekites might have been striking back because David raided them (1 Samuel 27:8).

• There were no soldiers left in Ziklag to protect the women and children. The Amalekites were known for attacking the weak and vulnerable (see Deuteronomy 25:17–18).

• not killed anyone: The Amalekites were not being kind. They found women and children more valuable alive than dead.

• Ahinoam: See the study note on 1 Samuel 25:43.

• Abigail: See 1 Samuel 25:3–42.

greatly distressed: Saul had used the same expression about himself. When he was in deep trouble, Saul turned to necromancy (trying to speak with the dead). This led to disaster (1 Samuel 28:15). David, in contrast, found strength and success in the Lord his God.

the ephod: See study notes on 1 Samuel 2:18 and 23:6.

Unlike Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), David successfully asked the Lord for guidance (see 1 Samuel 23:9–12; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19, 23).

Besor was a large stream in Philistine territory. It flowed into the Mediterranean Sea southwest of Gaza.

too exhausted: David's men were very tired after traveling for three days (1 Samuel 30:1). They were now chasing the Amalekites without having rested. David did not scold them or force them to keep going without mercy. See 1 Samuel 30:23–25.

David once received bread when he was very hungry (1 Samuel 21:3–7). He and his men helped this Egyptian man before knowing who he was or if he could assist them.

when I fell ill: The Amalekites valued only slaves who were healthy and strong. They considered the others useless and left them behind.

The land of Caleb was in the wilderness of Judah, south of Hebron (see Joshua 14:6–15).

The total number of Amalekite raiders must have been quite large if 400 young men escaped.

David generously divided the spoils among those who participated in the battle and those who were too exhausted to take part.

he greeted them: David did not scold them for not participating in the battle.

They may take them and go: This unkind group wanted to send away those who had not taken part, without giving them any reward.

what the LORD has given us: Some of David's men believed their success came from their own military skills. David attributed victory to God and gave him the glory.

They will share alike: Compare with Numbers 31:25–47, where Moses divided the plunder of war between those who fought and the rest of the people.

his friends, the elders of Judah: David extended his generosity to influential people throughout his own tribal area, possibly to secure their support for him as king.

The places mentioned here were all in southern Judah. David eventually emerged from this territory as king (see 2 Samuel 2:1–4).

David ruled as king over Judah from the city of Hebron for seven and a half years (2 Samuel 2:1–7; 5:5).