1 Samuel 30

David's Wives Are Captured

1 Now it happened, when David and his men came to a Ziklag, on the third day, that the b Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the c women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David's two d wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for e the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was 1 grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. f But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

7 g Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, "Please bring the ephod here to me." And h Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 i So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; j for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.

11 Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. 12 And they gave him a piece of k a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So l when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights. 13 Then David said to him, "To whom do you belong, and where are you from?" And he said, "I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick. 14 "We made an invasion of the southern area of m the Cherethites, in the territory which belongs to Judah, and of the southern area n of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire." 15 And David said to him, "Can you take me down to this troop?" So he said, "Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my o master, and I will take you down to this troop."

David Defeats the Amalekites

16 And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, p eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. 17 Then David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. 18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. 19 And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; q David recovered all. 20 Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, "This is David's spoil."

21 Now David came to the r two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he 2 greeted them. 22 Then all the wicked and s worthless 3 men of those who went with David answered and said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man's wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart." 23 But David said, "My brethren, you shall not do so with what the LORD has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. 24 "For who will heed you in this matter? But t as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike." 25 So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the 4 spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD" - 27 to those who were in Bethel, those who were in u Ramoth of the South, those who were in v Jattir, 28 those who were in w Aroer, those who were in x Siphmoth, those who were in y Eshtemoa, 29 those who were in Rachal, those who were in the cities of z the Jerahmeelites, those who were in the cities of the a Kenites, 30 those who were in b Hormah, those who were in 5 Chorashan, those who were in Athach, 31 those who were in c Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to d rove.

  1. Cross References
    2 Samuel 4:4
    Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 27:6
    So Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.
  3. Cross References
    1 Samuel 15:7
    And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt.
    1 Samuel 27:8
    And David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. For those nations were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as you go to Shur, even as far as the land of Egypt.
  4. Cross References
    1 Samuel 27:2
    Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
    1 Samuel 27:3
    So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow.
  5. Cross References
    1 Samuel 25:42
    So Abigail rose in haste and rode on a donkey, attended by five of her maidens; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife.
    1 Samuel 25:43
    David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and so both of them were his wives.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 17:4
    So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!
    John 8:59
    Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
  7. Cross References
    1 Samuel 23:16
    Then Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.
    Isaiah 25:4
    For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat; For the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
    Habakkuk 3:17 - 19
    Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls -
  8. Cross References
    1 Samuel 23:2 - 9
    Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.
  9. Cross References
    1 Samuel 23:6
    Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.
  10. Cross References
    1 Samuel 23:2
    Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.
    1 Samuel 23:4
    Then David inquired of the LORD once again. And the LORD answered him and said, "Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.
    Psalms 50:15
    Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.
    Psalms 91:15
    He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
  11. Cross References
    1 Samuel 30:9
    So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind.
    1 Samuel 30:21
    Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them.
  12. Cross References
    1 Samuel 25:18
    Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.
    1 Kings 20:7
    So the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, "Notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble, for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not deny him.
  13. Cross References
    Judges 15:19
    So God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out, and he drank; and his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore he called its name En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day.
    1 Samuel 14:27
    But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath; therefore he stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand and dipped it in a honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his countenance brightened.
  14. Cross References
    2 Samuel 8:18
    Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.
    1 Kings 1:38
    So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David's mule, and took him to Gihon.
    1 Kings 1:44
    The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king's mule.
    Ezekiel 25:16
    Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.
    Zephaniah 2:5
    Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: "I will destroy you; So there shall be no inhabitant.
  15. Cross References
    Joshua 14:13
    And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
    Joshua 15:13
    Now to Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a share among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, namely, Kirjath Arba, which is Hebron ( Arba was the father of Anak).
  16. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 23:15
    You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you.
  17. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:3
    For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
  18. Cross References
    1 Samuel 30:8
    So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" And He answered him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.
  19. Cross References
    1 Samuel 30:10
    But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.
  20. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 13:13
    Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods" ' - which you have not known -
    Judges 19:22
    As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, "Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!
  21. Cross References
    Numbers 31:27
    And divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.
    Joshua 22:8
    And spoke to them, saying, "Return with much riches to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
  22. Cross References
    Joshua 19:8
    And all the villages that were all around these cities as far as Baalath Beer, Ramah of the South. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.
  23. Cross References
    Joshua 15:48
    And in the mountain country: Shamir, Jattir, Sochoh.
    Joshua 21:14
    Jattir with its common-land, Eshtemoa with its common-land.
  24. Cross References
    Joshua 13:16
    Their territory was from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the ravine, and all the plain by Medeba.
  25. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 27:27
    And Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the produce of the vineyards for the supply of wine.
  26. Cross References
    Joshua 15:50
    Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim.
  27. Cross References
    1 Samuel 27:10
    Then Achish would say, "Where have you made a raid today?" And David would say, "Against the southern area of Judah, or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites.
  28. Cross References
    Judges 1:16
    Now the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up from the City of Palms with the children of Judah into the Wilderness of Judah, which lies in the South near Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
    1 Samuel 15:6
    Then Saul said to the Kenites, "Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
    1 Samuel 27:10
    Then Achish would say, "Where have you made a raid today?" And David would say, "Against the southern area of Judah, or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites.
  29. Cross References
    Numbers 14:45
    Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwel...
    Numbers 21:3
    And the LORD listened to the voice of Israel an...
    Joshua 12:14
    The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one.
    Joshua 15:30
    Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah.
    Joshua 19:4
    Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah.
    Judges 1:17
    And Judah went with his brother Simeon, and the...
  30. Cross References
    Numbers 13:22
    And they went up through the South and came to Hebron; Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
    Joshua 14:13 - 15
    And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
    Joshua 21:11 - 13
    And they gave them Kirjath Arba ( Arba was the father of Anak), which is Hebron, in the mountains of Judah, with the common-land surrounding it.
    2 Samuel 2:1
    It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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