1 Samuel 30

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 30 of 31

1 And it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had raided to the Negeb, even to Ziklag, and had struck Ziklag and burned it with fire.

2 And they took captive the women who were in it, from the small even to the great; they did not cause anyone to die, but they led them away, and went on their way.

3 And David and his men came into the city. And, behold! It was burned with fire! And their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive.

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Chapter Summary

The Amalekites plunder Ziklag. David is encouraged by God to pursue them. He recovers all the plunder. David's law to divide the spoil equally. He sends presents to his friends.

Key Hebrew Words

שָׁלָל plunder, spoil H7998 · TWOT 2400a
אֵפוֹד ephod H646 · TWOT 142.1a
נָצַל recover, deliver H5337 · TWOT 1404
רָדַף pursue H7291 · TWOT 2124
גְּדוּד raiding band H1416 · TWOT 313a
חֹק statute H2706 · TWOT 728a

People & Context

David

Returns to find Ziklag burned; strengthens himself in Jehovah, pursues the Amalekites, and recovers all

Abiathar

The priest, son of Ahimelech, who brings the ephod so David can inquire of Jehovah

Abigail

David's wife, former wife of Nabal of Carmel, taken captive from Ziklag and recovered

Ahinoam

David's wife from Jezreel, taken captive by the Amalekites and recovered with the others

Amalekites

Raiders who burned Ziklag and carried off its people and goods; struck down by David

Timeline

Amalekites Burn Ziklag

David returns to find that Amalekite raiders have burned Ziklag and taken all the women and children captive, including David's two wives.

1 Samuel 30:1-3
David's Men Talk of Stoning Him

The men weep until exhausted, and in their bitter grief over losing their families, they threaten to stone David. David finds strength in Jehovah.

1 Samuel 30:4-6
David Consults the Ephod and Pursues

David asks the priest Abiathar to bring the ephod. God promises David will overtake the raiders and recover all. David sets out, leaving 200 exhausted men at the Besor torrent.

1 Samuel 30:7-10

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