1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 30:1

THird day] To wit, after they had left the Philistines camp.

the Amalckites] That is, either the remainders of them that had escaped Saul, 1 Samuel 15:7. or else some others of that nation which inhabited in some other corner of the land, who took this occasion of Davids absence in the Philistines countrey, to revenge themselves upon his city and company, for his invading and spoiling of them, Chap. 27. 8.

1 Samuel 30:6

of storting him] As ascribing all these their miseries unto him, both because he had provoked the Amalckites to take this revenge by his invading and spoiling them, and also had given them opportunity of doing this mischief, by withdrawing all his forces to the Philistines camp, and so leaving their own city naked.

grieved] Heb. bitter.

encouraged himself] That is, relying on Gods former promises, and comforting himself with his future hopes, that he should by Gods assistance recover all these losses, and be avenged on his enemies, Habakkuk 3:17.

1 Samuel 30:7

bring me hither] That is, go fetch the ephod and brestplate, and put it on, that thou mayest for me enquire by Urim, what is to be done in this distresse. So Cha. 23. 9. Numbers 27:21.

1 Samuel 30:8

David enquired] To wit, by Abiathar the priest.

1 Samuel 30:9

brook Bezor] Which was in the borders of the tribe of Simeon, derived and descending from the mountains of Judah, and running to the west sea.

where those] That is, the two hundred men mentioned, v. 10.

1 Samuel 30:11

gave him bread] God at once by his wise providence, provideth food for this almost starved Egyptian, and for David, a fit guide.

1 Samuel 30:12

his spirit came] That is, he was revived and strengthned.

1 Samuel 30:13

three dayes] Heb. this is the third day, to wit, from which I fell sick.

1 Samuel 30:14

the Cherethites] That is, the Philistines, appeareth, vers. 16. for so they were called, Ezekiel 25:16. Zeph. 2. 5.

south of Caleb] That is, the south of the land inhabited by Calebs posterity, Joshua 14:13. 13. 15.

1 Samuel 30:15

I will bring] Having learned from some of the company, at their departure from him, where they purposed to encamp; that if he recovered his sicknesse, he might come to them.

1 Samuel 30:16

land of Judah] To which, Ziklag and the land of Caleb belonged.

1 Samuel 30:17

twilight] To wit, of the foregoing evening, for David found them eating, drinking, and dancing, which are actions usually of the evening, and not done in the twilight of the morning; and having so small a number to sight against a great multitude, the night was fittest for such an attempt; yet some take it for the morning twilight, because of the unfitnesse of Davids men for this enterprize, by reason of their wearinesse and long march.

the next day] Heb. their morrow.

1 Samuel 30:20

David took] That is, Davids men.

all the flocks] That is, all the residue of the cattle which the Amalckites had taken from others, that is, the Philistines and the Calebites.

Davids spoil] That is, belongs to David, by his souldiers free consent and gift, and therefore afterwards he bestowed t on whom he pleased, v. 26.

1 Samuel 30:21

saluted them] Or, asked them how they did.

1 Samuel 30:22

Then answered] That is, when the two hundred men had spoken to have that part of the spoil which belonged unto them.

men of Beial] See Judges 19:21.

those] Heb. men.

1 Samuel 30:23

with that] That is, with the spoil, which we have gotten, not by our own strength, but Gods free gift.

who hath preserved us] Or, for he preserved us.

1 Samuel 30:24

as his part] That is, they both shall have equall shares, according to Gods appointment, Numbers 31:27. Joshua 22:8. And also the law of arms which, appointeth those that guard the camp, an equall share with those that go out to sight.

1 Samuel 30:25

forward] Heb. and forward.

made it] That is, did revive and ratifie this statute first made by God.

1 Samuel 30:26

his friends] Who remained faithfull to him in his affliction and persecution.

present] Heb. blessing.

1 Samuel 30:27

in Beth-el] Or, the house of God; which at this time was a Kirjath-jearim, with the ark, 1 Samuel 6:21. 7. 1.

south-Ramoth] A city in the tribe of Simeon, Joshua 19:8. So distinguished from Ramoth in Gilead, 1 Kings 22:13.

Jatur] A city situate on a mountain in the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:48.

1 Samuel 30:28

Aroer] A city lying upon the river Arnon, belonging to the tribe of Reuben, Joshua 13:16. Deuteronomy 3:12.

Siphmoth] The same (as some think) with Shepham, Numbers 34:10. one of the land-limits of Canaan.

Eshtemo] A city situate in the tribe of Judah, called also Ashtemoth, Joshua 15:50. and was given to the sons of Aaron, 1 Chronicles 6:57.

1 Samuel 30:29

Rachal] This town is no where else in scripture mntioned. Some think that it was in the tribe of Judah, though not naned in that catalogue, Josh. 15.

Jerah-meelie] See Chap. 27. 10.

Kenites] See Judges 1:16.

1 Samuel 30:30

Hormah] Called also Zphath, Judg. 1. 17. 2 Chro. 14. 10. belonging to the tribe of Simeon.

Cho-ashan] The same (as some think) which is called Aslian, in the tribe of Simeon, Joshua 19:7.

Athach] Saint Jerome in his book de lois Hebraicis, placeth it in the tribe of Judah; and we read not of it, but onely here.

1 Samuel 30:31

Hebron] A famous city in the mountains of Judah, given to Caleb. See Josh. 14. 13, 14.

all the places] Where he had sound entertainment when he fled from Saul, by way of thankfulnesse.