1 Samuel 30:14
We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
Original Language Analysis
פָּשַׁ֜טְנוּ
We made an invasion
H6584
פָּשַׁ֜טְנוּ
We made an invasion
Strong's:
H6584
Word #:
2 of 14
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
נֶ֣גֶב
and upon the south
H5045
נֶ֣גֶב
and upon the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
3 of 14
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה
and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah
H3063
לִֽיהוּדָ֖ה
and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
7 of 14
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נֶ֣גֶב
and upon the south
H5045
נֶ֣גֶב
and upon the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
9 of 14
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Ezekiel 25:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.1 Kings 1:44And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:1 Kings 1:38So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.2 Samuel 8:18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.Zephaniah 2:5Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.Joshua 14:13And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.Joshua 15:13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.1 Samuel 30:1And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;1 Samuel 30:16And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.1 Chronicles 18:17And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
Historical Context
The Cherethites were associated with Philistine territory, possibly Cretan in origin. Caleb's inheritance in the Hebron region had been given at the conquest (Joshua 14). The raid's breadth indicates significant Amalekite strength.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the full scope of a problem help in addressing it?
- What intelligence gathering precedes effective action against enemies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Egyptian's report catalogues the Amalekite raid's extent: the Cherethites (Philistine mercenaries), Judah's territory, and Caleb's portion. The burning of Ziklag is mentioned specifically. This comprehensive raiding indicates a major Amalekite expedition, not a small band. The geographic scope shows they exploited the Philistine army's absence to raid widely. David now understands the full extent of the disaster and the enemy's direction of travel.