1 Samuel 30:11
And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּמְצְא֤וּ
And they found
H4672
וַֽיִּמְצְא֤וּ
And they found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אִישׁ
an Egyptian
H376
אִישׁ
an Egyptian
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 14
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)
וַיִּקְח֥וּ
and brought
H3947
וַיִּקְח֥וּ
and brought
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
5 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לֶ֙חֶם֙
him bread
H3899
לֶ֙חֶם֙
him bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
11 of 14
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Historical Context
Abandoned servants were common casualties of ancient warfare and raiding. Illness made slaves economic liabilities, and masters often left sick slaves to die rather than slow their movement. This Egyptian was three days from death when found.
Questions for Reflection
- How has compassion for the marginalized led to unexpected provision or guidance?
- What does caring for the abandoned reveal about character?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The discovery of the Egyptian servant introduces providential guidance through unexpected means. Finding a starving foreigner 'in the field' (Hebrew: 'basadeh') and providing bread and water demonstrates the humanitarian impulse that will later characterize David's reign. The care shown to this abandoned slave contrasts with the Amalekites' cruelty that left him to die. David's compassion will prove strategically valuable, but the narrative presents it as genuine human kindness.