Chapter 30

1 The Amalekites spoil Ziklag. 4 David asking counsel is encouraged by God to pursue them. 11 By the means of a revived Egyptian he is brought to the enemies, and recovereth all the spoil. 22 David’s law to divide the spoil equally between them that fight and them that keep the stuff. 26 He sendeth presents to his friends.

1. The third day. Although the exact site of Ziklag is not known, it was in the territory of Gath. Some identify it with Tell elРKhuweilfeh, southeast of Gaza. In that case it was about 50 mi. (80.5 km.) from the Aphek in the Plain of Sharon (see on ch. 29:1). Since David and his men did not leave until the day after their dismissal, they had only that second full day’s march before the “third day,” on which they arrived at Ziklag. Hence they probably marched the whole distance in two stages. This would average 25 mi. (40 km.) a day, and the exertion furnishes a reason for the utter exhaustion experienced by some of the men as they pressed on in pursuit of the Amalekites (v. 10).

2. Slew not any. This was not because of mercy, but because the women and children would bring good prices as slaves and concubines. It seems to have been a custom among the warring nations of the Near East to preserve women and children, especially virgins and female children (see Num. 31:15–18; Judges 21:1–24). David had acted unwisely in leaving Ziklag without protection.

David was probably hoping that his recent trips into the desert had deterred marauders from attempting raids for a time. He was anxious to make as good an impression as possible on the Philistine host by going north with Achish. He had evidently not counted on the news of the Philistine campaign, recently completed, filtering through to the desert so quickly (see on ch. 27:9).

5. The Jezreelitess. “Ahinoam the Jezreelitess” was the mother of David’s first-born son Amnon, who later seduced his half sister Tamar (2 Sam. 13). There were at least two Jezreels in Palestine; one in the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:18), where the Israelites were then fighting against the Philistines; another in Judah (Joshua 15:54–56), closely associated with such places as Hebron, Maon, Ziph, etc. Some have located this Jezreel between Ziph and Carmel at a site now known as Khirbet Terraµma, but the site is uncertain.

6. Grieved. Heb. marah, literally, “was bitter.” See derivatives of the root marah in Ex. 15:23; Ruth 1:20. The bitterness of the men against their leader was evidently because David had left their home unprotected.

In the Lord. David’s attitude now was entirely different from his attitude during the months of his duplicity before Achish. He had received unmistakable evidence of God’s protection during the time of his great blunder in running away from Judah, and now with humble heart he met the new crisis. He “encouraged,” literally, “strengthened,” his heart in the Lord, and proceeded to call on Abiathar to make inquiry of the Lord by means of the Urim and Thummim (v. 7). This is the course he should have followed when contemplating his flight to Philistia.

9. The brook Besor. Thought to be the stream running past Gerar and emptying into the Mediterranean near Gaza. Its distance from Ziklag cannot be determined, for it is not known whether the northernmost or southernmost branch of the brook is referred to. Furthermore, the exact site of Ziklag is unknown.

11. An Egyptian. The fact that this “young man” was an Egyptian throws a lurid light on the character of these marauders. Even as they had raided Judah and the Philistine territory, they had evidently invaded parts of Egypt and taken captives to trade as slaves. No nation or tribe was safe from their depredations.

12. Three days and three nights. Since the lad had the information concerning the burning of Ziklag (v. 14), the destruction must have taken place at least three days previously, for three days ago he had been abandoned by the pitiless tribesmen (v. 13). The time was sufficient to enable the marauders to make their escape and to hide themselves in the trackless desert.

14. South of the Cherethites. Literally, “the negeb of the Cherethites.” The Cherethites are believed by some to have been Cretans. A comparison of Eze. 25:16 and Zeph. 2:5, indicates that the Cherethites occupied part of the Philistine seacoast; evidently the southern part, for the Amalekites reached them first as they approached from the desert of Shur. Ziklag was either in, or adjacent to, the territory of the Cherethites.

South of Caleb. Better, “the negeb of Caleb.” Caleb the Kenezite (Joshua 14:14) was given a portion of Judah’s allotment near Hebron (Joshua 15:13–19). Since the Amalekites resided in the desert toward Egypt (1 Sam. 15:7), and since the Calebites are mentioned as being raided after the Cherethites, it is probable that the invasion proceeded from the west to the east, striking the border of the Cherethites first. Then as the marauders swept eastward, carrying with them the Cherethite prisoners, they probably learned of David’s absence from his home district, and decided to return home by way of Ziklag, to destroy it, and then to flee back into the depths of the desert of Shur with their captives.

16. Eating and drinking. The Amalekites, stopping by some oasis to feast on their spoils, may be compared to the four Mesopotamian kings who raided this same district in the days of Abraham (Gen. 14), and started home with Lot and other captives from Sodom, only to stop near Hobah (Gen. 14:15), to celebrate their victory (see PP 135). The influence of the liquor left them totally unprepared for David’s swift assault.

17. Four hundred young men. The number that escaped is an index to the size of the host that took part in the raid, and of the number of stock they must have had with them when David came upon them. Having left his baggage at the brook Besor, David could outmaneuver the host encumbered with the loot. Fighting all through the night and on into the next day, David finally released the captives, herded the stock together, and collected the supplies for return to Ziklag.

20. All the flocks. This verse is somewhat obscure. The words that the KJV supplies, as shown by the italics, do not offer much help. The LXX translates this verse, “And he took all the flocks, and the herds, and led them away before the spoils: and it was said of these spoils, These are the spoils of David.” The Hebrew seems to convey the idea that David recovered the cattle and other possessions that had formerly belonged to his company. In addition to these there were other large flocks and herds that the Amalekites had accumulated in their recent raiding expedition. These were designated as David’s spoils and moved ahead of the recovered cattle, as the party made its way home.

24. Part alike. A definite system for the distribution of spoils was imposed at the time Israel first fought the Midianites. Only a portion of the encampment went forth to war, but immediately after the battle the Lord instructed Moses to divide the booty into two parts, so that the warriors and those remaining with the stuff might share equally; definite amounts were also to be set aside for the Levites and for an offering to the Lord (see Num. 31:25–54). The plan was not always adhered to, but from David’s time on it appeared to be an established ordinance in Israel.

26. A present. David was far from being selfish and penurious. During the years of his wanderings, not only had many in Judah joined him, but many others had given him provisions. Up to the present he had been unable to repay their kindnesses. Now at the first opportunity he sent liberal portions from his abundant spoil. This gesture would naturally pave the way for the continued friendship of his countrymen, now that he was returning to Hebron on the death of Saul.

27. Beth-el. This would hardly be the Bethel in the tribe of Benjamin, but more likely Bethul, one of the towns in Judah’s allotment that was given to Simeon (Joshua 19:4), and not far from Ziklag.

South Ramoth. Literally, “Ramoth of the Negeb.” One of the towns given to Simeon (Joshua 19:8), but the exact location is not known.

Jattir. Thought to be the modern Khirbet ФAttйЖr, several miles east of the main road between Hebron and Beersheba, and some 8 mi. (12.8 km.) southwest of Maon.

28. Aroer. Not the Aroer on the Arnon River (Joshua 12:2), the southernmost town of the kingdom of Sihon of Heshbon, but a town in the Negeb around 10 1/2 mi. (16.8 km.) southeast of Beersheba, now known as ФArФarah.

Siphmoth. Possibly one of the towns from which David received assistance when he went into the Wilderness of Paran (ch. 25:1), but unknown today.

Eshtemoa. Associated with Debir in the list of cities belonging to Judah (Joshua 15:20, 49, 50), and identified with the modern esРSemuЖФ, some 8 or 9 mi. south of Hebron, and close to the Wilderness of Ziph.

29. Rachal. The only reference to this place name in the entire Bible. The site is unknown. The LXX here reads “Carmel.”

30. Hormah. Anciently called Zephath (Judges 1:17). One of the cities in the Negeb assaulted by the children of Israel when they presumed to go into Canaan from Kadesh-barnea contrary to the commandment of the Lord (Num. 14:45), and again when Arad the Canaanite fought them after the death of Aaron (Num. 21:1–3).

Chor-ashan. The same as Ashan (Joshua 15:42–44) northwest of Beersheba. One of the nine towns of the Shephelah, associated with Keilah, and given to Judah.

Athach. Mentioned only here. The site is unknown.

31. All the places. As one anointed to be king, David gave evidence of his generous spirit by demonstrating regal liberality. The record does not mention gifts to the elders of Keilah, nor to the unfriendly town of Ziph (see ch. 23:11, 12, 19), although they may have been included in “all the places.”

The fact that he gave to “all the places” shows how dependent David was on the hospitality of various parts of the land of Judah.

Ellen G. White comments

1–31PP 692–694

1–4, 6PP 692

8–19 PP693

20–24, 26PP 694