Study notes

1 Samuel 30

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

27:1–31:13 Section

David and his men weren’t safe in Israel. A Philistine king gave them a town to live in. It was very hard for David not to live among the Israelites. Not being allowed to live in Israel was one of the covenant curses. Yet David was always faithful to God and worshipped only God.

Then the Amalekites destroyed David’s town. They captured David’s families’ and the families of his men. David and his soldiers were very sad and bitter about this. God helped them to get their families and belongings back. That happened while the Philistines went to attack the Israelites.

Saul was very afraid of the Philistine army. He tried to receive advice from God through dreams, prophets and casting lots. But he had refused to believe the words God had already told him through Samuel. Then he asked for help from a woman who was a medium. This means that she talked to spirits. She talked to the spiritual part of people whose bodies had died.

Samuel’s spirit told Saul the same things Samuel had told Saul before. Saul’s family line would no longer rule as kings. Saul, Jonathan and two of Saul’s other sons died in the battle against the Philistines. David was far away and wasn’t guilty of Saul’s death. After Saul died, the people of Jabesh Gilead honoured his body. They were the people Saul had rescued in his first battle as king.

30:2

  • 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.

30:6

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.

30:9

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

30:10

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.

30:11–12

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.

30:13

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

30:17

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

30:21

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

30:21–31

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

30:22

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

30:23

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.

30:24

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.

30:26

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.

30:27–30

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

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources