1 Samuel 30:1
And 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;
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֞י
H1961
וַיְהִ֞י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דָוִ֧ד
And it came to pass when David
H1732
דָוִ֧ד
And it came to pass when David
Strong's:
H1732
Word #:
3 of 19
david, the youngest son of jesse
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֛יו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֛יו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 19
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)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י
on the third
H7992
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֑י
on the third
Strong's:
H7992
Word #:
7 of 19
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
וַעֲמָֽלֵקִ֣י
that the Amalekites
H6003
וַעֲמָֽלֵקִ֣י
that the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6003
Word #:
8 of 19
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
פָֽשְׁט֗וּ
had invaded
H6584
פָֽשְׁט֗וּ
had invaded
Strong's:
H6584
Word #:
9 of 19
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
נֶ֙גֶב֙
the south
H5045
נֶ֙גֶב֙
the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
11 of 19
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וַיַּכּוּ֙
and smitten
H5221
וַיַּכּוּ֙
and smitten
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
14 of 19
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Samuel 29:11So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.1 Samuel 15:7And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.Joshua 11:6And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.1 Samuel 29:4And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
Historical Context
The Amalekites' raid while David was with the Philistine army shows sophisticated intelligence-gathering or opportunistic timing. The Negev settlements were vulnerable with their defenders away, making this an ideal moment for raiding.
Questions for Reflection
- How do multiple crises sometimes converge in your life?
- What does it mean that deliverance from one difficulty often leads directly to another?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
David's arrival at Ziklag on 'the third day' places him away from both armies when Gilboa's battle decides Saul's fate. The discovery of Amalekite destruction creates personal crisis amid national transition. The Hebrew 'pashetu' (invaded) and 'wayyakku' (smote) describe military assault, while 'wayyisrefu-ha ba'esh' (burned it with fire) indicates total destruction. David, having avoided one disaster by being dismissed from the Philistine army, immediately faces another: his own base destroyed and families captured.