1 Samuel 27:9
And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִכָּ֤ה
smote
H5221
וְהִכָּ֤ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְחַיֶּ֖ה
alive
H2421
יְחַיֶּ֖ה
alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
6 of 18
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
אִ֣ישׁ
and left neither man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
and left neither man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְלָקַח֩
and took away
H3947
וְלָקַח֩
and took away
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
9 of 18
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
צֹ֨אן
the sheep
H6629
צֹ֨אן
the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
10 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וּבָקָ֜ר
and the oxen
H1241
וּבָקָ֜ר
and the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 18
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וַיָּ֖שָׁב
and returned
H7725
וַיָּ֖שָׁב
and returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
15 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Historical Context
Ancient warfare commonly involved total destruction of enemy populations, particularly in raids. The specific mention of camels suggests David's raids extended into desert-dwelling populations. These activities built David's wealth and reputation as a warrior while eliminating witnesses to his true loyalties.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you navigate moral complexity when survival seems to require compromising actions?
- What aspects of biblical history challenge your understanding of God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The brutality of David's warfare, leaving 'neither man nor woman alive,' presents modern readers with difficulty but must be understood within its ancient context and specific targets. The Hebrew 'lo yechayeh' (did not keep alive) indicates intentional elimination of witnesses. While morally complex, David's targets were peoples under divine judgment whose survival would expose his deception. The spoils taken (sheep, oxen, asses, camels, apparel) represented the wealth of pastoral peoples and provided resources for David's community.