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Text -- 1 Samuel 30:1-7 (NET)
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Namely, the southern part of Judah, and the adjacent parts.
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Wesley: 1Sa 30:4 - -- It is no disparagement to the boldest, bravest spirits, to lament the calamities of friends or relations.
It is no disparagement to the boldest, bravest spirits, to lament the calamities of friends or relations.
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Wesley: 1Sa 30:6 - -- As the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, and by his forwardness in marching away wi...
As the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving their wives and children unguarded.
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Wesley: 1Sa 30:6 - -- That is, in this that the all - wise, and all - powerful Lord, was his God by covenant and special promise, and fatherly affection, as he had shewed h...
That is, in this that the all - wise, and all - powerful Lord, was his God by covenant and special promise, and fatherly affection, as he had shewed himself to be in the whole course of his providence towards him. It is the duty of all good men, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in the Lord their God, assuring themselves, that he both can and will bring light out of darkness.
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Wesley: 1Sa 30:7 - -- And put it upon thyself, that thou mayst enquire of God according to his ordinance, David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counse...
And put it upon thyself, that thou mayst enquire of God according to his ordinance, David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod, when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the Battle; and his necessity now brings him to his duty, and his duty meets with success.
JFB: 1Sa 30:1 - -- While the strength of the Philistine forces was poured out of their country into the plain of Esdraelon, the Amalekite marauders seized the opportunit...
While the strength of the Philistine forces was poured out of their country into the plain of Esdraelon, the Amalekite marauders seized the opportunity of the defenseless state of Philistia to invade the southern territory. Of course, David's town suffered from the ravages of these nomad plunderers, in revenge for his recent raid upon their territory.
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JFB: 1Sa 30:2 - -- Their conduct seems to stand in favorable contrast to that of David (1Sa 27:11). But their apparent clemency did not arise from humane considerations....
Their conduct seems to stand in favorable contrast to that of David (1Sa 27:11). But their apparent clemency did not arise from humane considerations. It is traceable to the ancient war usages of the East, where the men of war, on the capture of a city, were unsparingly put to death, but there were no warriors in Ziklag at the time. The women and boys were reserved for slaves, and the old people were spared out of respect to age.
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JFB: 1Sa 30:3 - -- The language implies that the smoke of the conflagration was still visible, and the sacking very recent.
The language implies that the smoke of the conflagration was still visible, and the sacking very recent.
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JFB: 1Sa 30:6 - -- He had reason, not only on his own personal account (1Sa 30:5), but on account of the vehement outcry and insurrectionary threats against him for havi...
He had reason, not only on his own personal account (1Sa 30:5), but on account of the vehement outcry and insurrectionary threats against him for having left the place so defenseless that the families of his men fell an unresisting prey to the enemy. Under the pressure of so unexpected and widespread a calamity, of which he was upbraided as the indirect occasion, the spirit of any other leader guided by ordinary motives would have sunk;
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JFB: 1Sa 30:6 - -- His faith supplied him with inward resources of comfort and energy, and through the seasonable inquiries he made by Urim, he inspired confidence by or...
His faith supplied him with inward resources of comfort and energy, and through the seasonable inquiries he made by Urim, he inspired confidence by ordering an immediate pursuit of the plunderers.
Clarke: 1Sa 30:1 - -- On the third day - This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek. Calmet supposes that Aphek was distant from Ziklag more th...
On the third day - This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek. Calmet supposes that Aphek was distant from Ziklag more than thirty leagues
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Clarke: 1Sa 30:1 - -- The Amalekites had invaded - These were, doubtless, a travelling predatory horde, who, availing themselves of the war between the Philistines and th...
The Amalekites had invaded - These were, doubtless, a travelling predatory horde, who, availing themselves of the war between the Philistines and the Israelites, plundered several unprotected towns, and among them Ziklag. It is likely they had not heard of what David did to some of their tribes, else they would have avenged themselves by slaying all they found in Ziklag.
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Clarke: 1Sa 30:4 - -- Wept, until they had no more power to weep - This marks great distress; they wept, as says the Vulgate, till their tears failed them.
Wept, until they had no more power to weep - This marks great distress; they wept, as says the Vulgate, till their tears failed them.
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Clarke: 1Sa 30:6 - -- The people spake of stoning him - David had done much to civilize those men; but we find by this of what an unruly and ferocious spirit they were; a...
The people spake of stoning him - David had done much to civilize those men; but we find by this of what an unruly and ferocious spirit they were; and yet they strongly felt the ties of natural affection, they "grieved every man for his sons and for his daughters.
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Clarke: 1Sa 30:6 - -- David encouraged himself in the Lord - He found he could place very little confidence in his men; and, as he was conscious that this evil had not ha...
David encouraged himself in the Lord - He found he could place very little confidence in his men; and, as he was conscious that this evil had not happened either through his neglect or folly, he saw he might the more confidently expect succor from his Maker.
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Clarke: 1Sa 30:7 - -- Bring me hither the ephod - It seems as if David had put on the ephod, and inquired of the Lord for himself; but it is more likely that he caused Ab...
Bring me hither the ephod - It seems as if David had put on the ephod, and inquired of the Lord for himself; but it is more likely that he caused Abiathar to do it.
TSK: 1Sa 30:1 - -- were come : 1Sa 29:11; 2Sa 1:2
on the third : This was the third day after he had left the Philistine army at Aphek, from which place, Calmet supposes...
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TSK: 1Sa 30:4 - -- lifted up : 1Sa 4:13, 1Sa 11:4; Gen 37:33-35; Num 14:1, Num 14:39; Jdg 2:4, Jdg 21:2; Ezr 10:1
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TSK: 1Sa 30:6 - -- was greatly : Gen 32:7; Psa 25:17, Psa 42:7, Psa 116:3, Psa 116:4, Psa 116:10; 2Co 1:8, 2Co 1:9, 2Co 4:8, 2Co 7:5
the people : Exo 17:4; Num 14:10; Ps...
was greatly : Gen 32:7; Psa 25:17, Psa 42:7, Psa 116:3, Psa 116:4, Psa 116:10; 2Co 1:8, 2Co 1:9, 2Co 4:8, 2Co 7:5
the people : Exo 17:4; Num 14:10; Psa 62:9; Mat 21:9, Mat 27:22
grieved : Heb. bitter, 1Sa 1:10; Jdg 18:25; 2Sa 17:8; 2Ki 4:27 *marg.
David : Job 13:15; Psa 18:6, Psa 26:1, Psa 26:2, Psa 27:1-3, Psa 34:1-8, Psa 40:1, Psa 40:2, Psa 42:5, Psa 42:11; Psa 56:3, Psa 56:4, Psa 56:11, Psa 62:1, Psa 62:5, Psa 62:8, Psa 118:8-13; Pro 18:10; Isa 25:4, Isa 37:14-20; Jer 16:19; Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18; Rom 4:18, Rom 8:31; 2Co 1:6, 2Co 1:9, 2Co 1:10; Heb 13:6
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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 1Sa 30:1 - -- On the third day - This indicates that Aphek was three days’ march from Ziklag, say about 50 miles, which agrees very well with the proba...
On the third day - This indicates that Aphek was three days’ march from Ziklag, say about 50 miles, which agrees very well with the probable situation of Aphek (1Sa 4:1 note). From Ziklag to Shunem would not be less than 80 or 90 miles.
The Amalekites, in retaliation of David’ s raids 1Sa 27:8-9, invaded "the south"of Judah Jos 15:21; but owing to the absence of all the men with David there was no resistance, and consequently the women and children were carried off as prey, and uninjured.
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Barnes: 1Sa 30:7 - -- Abiathar had continued to abide with David, ever since he joined him at Keilah 1Sa 23:6. On inquiry of the Lord by the ephod, see Jdg 1:1 note. The ...
Poole: 1Sa 30:1 - -- On the third day to wit, after David’ s departure from Achish; for Ziklag was at a great distance from the camp and place of fight, as appears ...
On the third day to wit, after David’ s departure from Achish; for Ziklag was at a great distance from the camp and place of fight, as appears from 2Sa 1:2 ; and David’ s men being all footmen, could make but slow marches.
The Amalekites the remainders of that people who lived near those parts where David had destroyed their brethren, 1Sa 27:8,9 .
The south to wit, the southern part of Judah, and the adjacent parts. See below, 1Sa 30:14 .
Smitten Ziklag i.e. sacked and spoiled it.
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Poole: 1Sa 30:2 - -- They slew not any which was strange, considering how David dealt with them, 1Sa 27:9 . But this must be ascribed partly to their selfish or fleshly i...
They slew not any which was strange, considering how David dealt with them, 1Sa 27:9 . But this must be ascribed partly to their selfish or fleshly interest; for they might reserve them, either to make sale of them for their profit, or to abuse them for their lust; or, it may be, to revenge themselves upon David and his men, by reserving them to extraordinary, and lingering, and repeated punishments; but principally to God’ s overruling and wonderful providence, who set these bounds to their rage; and though he designed to chastise David’ s sin and folly, yet would not deliver him nor his up to death.
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Poole: 1Sa 30:4 - -- Till either the humour was wholly spent, or the consideration of their calamity had made them stupid.
Till either the humour was wholly spent, or the consideration of their calamity had made them stupid.
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Poole: 1Sa 30:6 - -- The people spake of stoning him as the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, by his fo...
The people spake of stoning him as the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving their wives and children unguarded.
In the Lord his God i.e. in this, that the all-wise and all-powerful Lord was his God by covenant relation, and special promise, and true and fatherly affection, as he had showed himself to be in the whole course of his providence towards him.
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Poole: 1Sa 30:7 - -- Bring me hither the ephod and put it upon thyself, that thou mayst inquire of God according to his ordinance, Num 27:21 . See above, 1Sa 23:9 . David...
Bring me hither the ephod and put it upon thyself, that thou mayst inquire of God according to his ordinance, Num 27:21 . See above, 1Sa 23:9 . David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the battle; and his necessity now brings him to his duty, and his duty meets with success.
Haydock: 1Sa 30:1 - -- Weary. Hebrew pigru, denotes those who are "lazy and dead." Septuagint, "some sat down on the other side of the torrent." Syriac and Arabic insi...
Weary. Hebrew pigru, denotes those who are "lazy and dead." Septuagint, "some sat down on the other side of the torrent." Syriac and Arabic insinuate, to defend the passage. But why then do the rest complain? (Calmet) ---
They acted irrationally, as David shewed afterwards. Some of the 600 might well be more exhausted than others, and these were selected to guard the baggage, ver. 24. This was only the third day since they left Aphec, ver. 1. (Haydock)
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Haydock: 1Sa 30:1 - -- Day. It was distant from Aphec about 90 miles. ---
Smitten, yet without killing any. (Calmet) ---
We may adore a merciful Providence, which prev...
Day. It was distant from Aphec about 90 miles. ---
Smitten, yet without killing any. (Calmet) ---
We may adore a merciful Providence, which prevented these barbarians from treating David's men as he had treated theirs, chap. xxvii. 11. (Salien, the year before Christ 1074.) ---
He would allow them to burn the city, &c., that David might be roused to execute the divine vengeance upon them. (Theodoret)
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Haydock: 1Sa 30:4 - -- Tears. Hebrew, "till they had no more power to weep." (Menochius) ---
See Lamentations ii. 11. Cicero exclaims, Hei mihi! consumptis enim lachry...
Tears. Hebrew, "till they had no more power to weep." (Menochius) ---
See Lamentations ii. 11. Cicero exclaims, Hei mihi! consumptis enim lachrymis, infixus tamen hæret in corde dolor. (Phil. ii.)
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Haydock: 1Sa 30:6 - -- Stone him, as the author of all their losses, because he had not left a sufficient garrison at Siceleg, and had irritated the Amalecites. Inconstant...
Stone him, as the author of all their losses, because he had not left a sufficient garrison at Siceleg, and had irritated the Amalecites. Inconstant people! they thought that he we indebted to them for all that he possessed! (Calmet) ---
David, without being too much dejected, sought out for an immediate remedy, and led them on to battle. Their ancestors had once threatened to stone Moses, Exodus xvii., &c. (Tirinus)
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Haydock: 1Sa 30:7 - -- To David. Some think that David put on the ephod; but this was the function of the high priest, who, according to Grotius, turned towards David, tha...
To David. Some think that David put on the ephod; but this was the function of the high priest, who, according to Grotius, turned towards David, that he might see the brightness of the precious stones. See Exodus xxviii. 30. By means of the priest David was enlightened. (Worthington)
Gill: 1Sa 30:1 - -- And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out wit...
And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag, on the third day,.... Either from their departure from thence, when they went out with Achish, or rather from the time of their leaving Achish, and the camp of the Philistines; so long they were upon their march homewards, see 2Sa 1:1; and no wonder, if it was the distance of eighty eight miles; see Gill on 1Sa 29:11,
that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag; the southern parts of the land of the Philistines, and of Judah, as appears from 1Sa 30:14; taking the opportunity of the Philistines being gone into the land of Israel, and particularly of David's absence from Ziklag, to whom they bore a grudge for his invasion, destruction, and spoil of them not long ago, see 1Sa 27:8,
and smitten Ziklag, and burnt it with fire; not that they smote the inhabitants of it, there were no men in it, and the women and children they carried captive; but they demolished the buildings in it, pulled down the houses after they had rifled them, and burnt them with fire, that David and his men might dwell there no more.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:2 - -- And had taken the women captives, that were therein,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David:
they slew not any, either gre...
And had taken the women captives, that were therein,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David:
they slew not any, either great or small; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old, or maidens, or children; which was very much, since David destroyed all that came within his reach, men and women, when he invaded them, 1Sa 27:9; but perhaps this was not owing to their humanity, but to their covetousness, designing to make an advantage of them by selling them for slaves; no doubt they were restrained by the providence of God:
but carried them away, and went on their way; homewards with their captives.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:3 - -- So David and his men came to the city,.... Or however to the place where it had stood, and where it now lay in ruins:
and, behold, it was burnt wi...
So David and his men came to the city,.... Or however to the place where it had stood, and where it now lay in ruins:
and, behold, it was burnt with fire; the whole city was laid in ashes:
and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives; as it appeared afterwards; for upon their first coming they knew not but they were all destroyed; and which they might reasonably suppose from their former treatment of them, unless there were any left upon the spot which could inform them how things were, which does not appear, and which must make their distress the greater.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:4 - -- Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice,.... In doleful shrieks, and loud lamentations:
and wept, until they had no mor...
Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice,.... In doleful shrieks, and loud lamentations:
and wept, until they had no more power to weep; till nature was quite exhausted, and no moisture left; so the Vulgate Latin version, "till tears failed in them"; they could shed no more.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:5 - -- And David's two wives were taken captives,.... Which is observed as one cause of his particular distress, and another follows in 1Sa 30:6,
Ahinoam ...
And David's two wives were taken captives,.... Which is observed as one cause of his particular distress, and another follows in 1Sa 30:6,
Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite: that is, who had been his wife; for he was now dead, 1Sa 25:39, and was so before she was married to David; both these came with him to Gath, and were left at Ziklag when he went with Achish, and here they were taken; see 1Sa 25:42.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:6 - -- And David was greatly distressed,.... Partly for the loss of his two wives, and partly because of the mutiny and murmuring of his men:
for the peop...
And David was greatly distressed,.... Partly for the loss of his two wives, and partly because of the mutiny and murmuring of his men:
for the people spake of stoning him; as the Israelites did of Moses and Aaron, Num 14:10; the reason of this was, because, as they judged, it was owing to David that they went along with Achish, and left the city defenceless, and because he had provoked the Amalekites by his inroad upon them, who took this opportunity of avenging themselves. Abarbinel is of opinion that it was his excess of sorrow for his two wives, and his remissness and backwardness to take vengeance on their enemies, that provoked them, and put them on talking after this manner:
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; as well as David; and they were very desirous of recovering them if possible, and of taking vengeance on those who had carried them captive:
but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God; took all patiently, and exercised faith on his God; he encouraged himself in the power and providence of God; in the promises of God, and his faithfulness in keeping them; in a view of his covenant relation to God; in remembrance of the grace, mercy, and goodness of God, and his former experiences of it; hoping and believing that God would appear for him in some way or another, and work salvation for him. The Targum is,"he strengthened himself in the Word of the Lord his God;''in Christ the Word of God, and in the power of his might, and in the grace that is in him, Eph 6:10.
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Gill: 1Sa 30:7 - -- And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son,.... The son of Ahimelech, who was slain at Nob by the order of Saul, 1Sa 22:19; and Abiathar h...
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son,.... The son of Ahimelech, who was slain at Nob by the order of Saul, 1Sa 22:19; and Abiathar his son, who fled to David with the ephod, on the death of his father, 1Sa 22:20, was now high priest in his room; and who it seems was with David when he went with Achish, and returned with him; for had he been left at Ziklag, he and his ephod, in all probability, had been carried off by the Amalekites, unless we can suppose him under the protection of a special providence: it is much David had not inquired of the Lord by him about his going with Achish; perhaps the present disaster brought to mind that neglect, and made him the more diligent now:
I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod; not to put it on himself, but that the high priest might put it on, and inquire by it before him of the Lord:
and Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David; for the sake of David, that inquiry might be made before him of the Lord by Urim and Thummim.
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
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NET Notes: 1Sa 30:3 Heb “and David and his men came to the city, and look, it was burned with fire.”
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Geneva Bible: 1Sa 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on ( a ) the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and ( b...
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Geneva Bible: 1Sa 30:3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, [it was] burned with fire; and their ( c ) wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken ...
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Geneva Bible: 1Sa 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people ( d ) spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons an...
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Sa 30:1-31
TSK Synopsis: 1Sa 30:1-31 - --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 e...
Maclaren -> 1Sa 30:6
Maclaren: 1Sa 30:6 - --1 Samuel 30:6
David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's pe...
MHCC -> 1Sa 30:1-6; 1Sa 30:7-15
MHCC: 1Sa 30:1-6 - --When we go abroad in the way of our duty, we may comfortably hope that God will take care of our families in our absence, but not otherwise. If, when ...
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MHCC: 1Sa 30:7-15 - --If in all our ways, even when, as in this case, there can be no doubt they are just, we acknowledge God, we may expect that he will direct our steps, ...
Matthew Henry -> 1Sa 30:1-6; 1Sa 30:7-20
Matthew Henry: 1Sa 30:1-6 - -- Here we have, I. The descent which the Amalekites made upon Ziklag in David's absence, and the desolations they made there. They surprised the city ...
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Matthew Henry: 1Sa 30:7-20 - -- Solomon observes that the righteous is delivered out of trouble and the wicked cometh in his stead, that the just falleth seven times a-day and...
Keil-Delitzsch -> 1Sa 30:1-10
Keil-Delitzsch: 1Sa 30:1-10 - --
During David's absence the Amalekites had invaded the south country,smitten Ziklag and burnt it down, and carried off the women and childrenwhom the...
Constable -> 1Sa 16:1--31:13; 1Sa 21:1--30:31; 1Sa 27:1--31:13; 1Sa 30:1-31; 1Sa 30:1-6; 1Sa 30:7-10
Constable: 1Sa 16:1--31:13 - --IV. SAUL AND DAVID 1 Sam. 16--31
The basic theme in Samuel, that blessing, and in particular fertility of all ki...
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Constable: 1Sa 21:1--30:31 - --C. David in Exile chs. 21-30
In chapters 21-30 we see David's forces growing stronger and stronger while...
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Constable: 1Sa 27:1--31:13 - --4. The end of Saul's reign chs 27-31
David's commitment to God resulted in his continuing to be ...
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Constable: 1Sa 30:1-31 - --David's wise leadership of the Israelites ch. 30
This chapter reveals many qualities tha...
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Constable: 1Sa 30:1-6 - --David's crisis and his response 30:1-6
David took three days to return from Aphe...
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