Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Samuel 30

Ziklag BurntThis section tells about a sad and difficult time for David and his men. While David was away, the Amalekites attacked his city, Ziklag. They burned it, took all the women and children, and stole everything. This happened because David had made enemies by attacking the Amalekites before (1 Samuel 27:8 ). It also teaches us that when we make trouble for others, we should expect that trouble could come back to us. Another lesson is that when we are busy with our own plans and do not take care of our responsibilities, bad things can happen. Still, we see God's mercy because the Amalekites did not kill the people—they only took them captive. God was in control, even in this hard time. He allowed this to correct David, not to destroy him.v. 1-2: While David and his men were away, the Amalekites attacked Ziklag. They burned the city and took all the women and children as prisoners (1 Samuel 30:1-2 ). The Amalekites did this to get revenge for what David had done to them before. If Saul had destroyed the Amalekites as God commanded, this might not have happened. God’s hand can even limit the cruelty of enemies—He did not let the Amalekites kill the captives, even though David had killed many of them (1 Samuel 27:9 ). God sometimes uses trouble to teach and correct His people, not to destroy them.

v. 3-4: When David and his men returned after three days, they saw their city in ruins and their families gone (1 Samuel 30:3 ). They were so sad that they cried until they had no strength left (1 Samuel 30:4 ). Even strong and brave men can feel deep sorrow when they lose their families. Hard things can happen suddenly, and we should not think we are safe from trouble just because things seem peaceful. Boast not thyself of to-morrow (Proverbs 27:1 ). If we come home and find everything well, we should thank God for it.

v. 6: David was in great distress because his men were so angry that they talked about stoning him . They blamed David for their loss, thinking it was his fault for making the Amalekites angry and not protecting the city. When we are upset, we often look for someone to blame. The men also felt hopeless, because they had expected to become powerful by following David, but now they had lost everything. This was a very hard test for David. He was rejected by Saul, sent away by the Philistines, attacked by the Amalekites, and now his own friends turned against him. Often, things seem worst just before they get better. God sometimes brings His people very low before helping them rise again.Even when everyone else was upset and angry, David encouraged himself in the Lord

David Recovers the SpoilThis section shows how God helped David escape from great trouble. Even though David faced many problems, God delivered him again and again. As Solomon said, the righteous is delivered out of trouble (Proverbs 11:8 ). David’s faith and patience brought him through this difficult time, and God turned his sadness into victory.v. 7-8: David asked Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod so he could ask the Lord

v. 9-10: David immediately set out with his men to chase the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:9 ). Even though all his soldiers wanted to go, 200 of them were too tired to cross the brook Besor and had to stay behind (1 Samuel 30:10 ). This was a test of David’s faith, because he had fewer men, but he trusted God’s promise. David was also kind to his tired men, not forcing them to go farther than they could. This shows that God cares for us, even when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ).

v. 11-15: Along the way, David’s men found an Egyptian servant who had been left behind by his Amalekite master because he was sick (1 Samuel 30:11 ). David and his men were kind to him and gave him food and water (1 Samuel 30:12 ). This act of kindness helped them, because the servant told David where the Amalekites had gone (1 Samuel 30:13-15 ). The servant only asked for a promise that David would not kill him or give him back to his Amalekite master. This shows us that we should be kind to everyone, even strangers or enemies, because God can use anyone to help us.

v. 16-17: The servant led David to the Amalekite camp. The Amalekites were celebrating and partying with all the things they had stolen (1 Samuel 30:16 ). David and his men attacked them by surprise and defeated them. Only 400 young men escaped on camels (1 Samuel 30:17 ). When enemies think they are safe and happy, that is often when trouble comes. The victory was easy because the Amalekites were not ready to fight.

v. 18-19: David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives and all the people and possessions (1 Samuel 30:18-19 ). Nothing was missing. God was better to David than he had feared, and He made sure David lost nothing. This victory reminds us that God can restore what is lost and bring good out of evil.

v. 20: Besides getting back all that was stolen, David and his men also took the Amalekites' flocks and herds . The people said, "This is David's spoil", and gave him honor for the victory. Those who had been angry with David now praised him because they benefited from his leadership. This shows how quickly people can change their opinions when they see success.

David's Division of the SpoilThis section tells how David shared the treasure and goods taken back from the Amalekites. Unlike the Amalekites, who used their stolen goods only for pleasure, David wanted to use what God gave him in a way that was fair and helpful to others. He showed that everything we have comes from God and should be used with justice and kindness.v. 21: The 200 men who were too tired to fight had stayed behind to watch the supplies. When David returned with the other men, these 200 came out to meet them and greet them . David was kind and caring to them, asking how they were and showing concern for their well-being. He did not blame them for staying behind, but treated them with respect.

v. 22: Some of the soldiers who fought in the battle were selfish and did not want to share the spoil with the men who stayed behind. They said the 200 men should only get their wives and children back, not any of the goods . These men are called "wicked men and men of Belial" in the Bible because they cared only about themselves. They forgot that just a short time ago, they were desperate to get back even half of what they lost. Now they wanted more than their share and were not kind to their own friends.

v. 23-24: David did not agree with the selfish men. He said that everyone should share the spoil equally—both those who went into battle and those who stayed with the supplies (1 Samuel 30:23-24 ). David reminded them that all their success and the spoil came from the Lord

v. 25: David made this law official in Israel, so it would be followed from that time onward . This rule showed that everyone is important in God’s work, even if their job seems small. In the same way, the early Christians shared what they had with each other (1 Timothy 6:18 ). God wants us to help and support one another.

v. 26-31: David also sent gifts from the spoil to his friends and to the elders of Judah (1 Samuel 30:26-31 ). He was generous and grateful to those who had helped him in the past. David called his gifts "a blessing" and reminded everyone that the victory was from the Lord