Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 30
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 30
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 30
"And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South, and upon Ziklag, and had smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire," — 1 Samuel 30:1 (ASV)
On the third day - This indicates that Aphek was a three-day march from Ziklag, a distance of about 50 miles, which agrees very well with the probable location of Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1). From Ziklag to Shunem would be no less than 80 or 90 miles.
In retaliation for David’s raids (1 Samuel 27:8–9), the Amalekites invaded “the south” of Judah (Joshua 15:21). However, because all the men were absent with David, there was no resistance. Consequently, the women and children were carried off as prey but were left uninjured.
"And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David." — 1 Samuel 30:7 (ASV)
Abiathar had continued to remain with David ever since he joined him at Keilah (1 Samuel 23:6). Regarding inquiring of the Lord by the ephod, see the note on Judges 1:1. The answers were evidently given by the Word of the Lord in the mouth of the high priest .
"So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed." — 1 Samuel 30:9 (ASV)
Besor – This is thought to be the stream of the Wady Sheriah, which enters the sea a little south of Gaza.
"And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights." — 1 Samuel 30:12 (ASV)
Three days and three nights — This indicates that at least this much time had passed since the sack of Ziklag.
"We made a raid upon the South of the Cherethites, and upon that which belongeth to Judah, and upon the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire." — 1 Samuel 30:14 (ASV)
The Cherethites - This term is used here as synonymous with the Philistines (1 Samuel 30:16).
In David’s reign, the bodyguard commanded by Benaiah consisted of Cherethites and Pelethites (who may have been Philistines) and a select corps of six hundred men from Gath, commanded by Ittai the Gittite. This evidence suggests that the Cherethites and Philistines were two kindred and associated tribes, similar to the Angles and Saxons, who took possession of the seacoast of Palestine.
The Philistines, being the more powerful, gave their name to the country and the nation in general, though the name of the Cherethites was not entirely lost. Many also connect the name Cherethite with the island of Crete.
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