1 Samuel 30:19
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נֶעְדַּר
And there was nothing lacking
H5737
נֶעְדַּר
And there was nothing lacking
Strong's:
H5737
Word #:
2 of 19
to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)
מִן
to them neither
H4480
מִן
to them neither
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַקָּטֹ֨ן
small
H6996
הַקָּטֹ֨ן
small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
5 of 19
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַגָּד֜וֹל
nor great
H1419
הַגָּד֜וֹל
nor great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
7 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בָּנִ֤ים
neither sons
H1121
בָּנִ֤ים
neither sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבָנוֹת֙
nor daughters
H1323
וּבָנוֹת֙
nor daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
10 of 19
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְעַ֛ד
H5704
וְעַ֛ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
12 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לָֽקְח֖וּ
nor any thing that they had taken
H3947
לָֽקְח֖וּ
nor any thing that they had taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
15 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הַכֹּ֖ל
H3605
הַכֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
1 Samuel 30:8And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Historical Context
Complete recovery of captives and spoil was remarkable given the time elapsed and distances involved. The Amalekites had not yet dispersed their captives to slave markets or distant camps, allowing total rescue.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's restoration sometimes exceed your expectations?
- What does complete recovery teach about God's redemptive purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The emphatic repetition 'there was nothing lacking... David recovered all' emphasizes total restoration. The Hebrew construction 'lo ne'edar lahem... hakkol heshiv David' (nothing was missing... everything David brought back) stresses completeness. Not merely lives but possessions, relationships, and honor were restored. The categories, 'small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil,' cover every dimension of loss. God's restoration exceeds mere survival to include full redemption.