1 Samuel 30:16
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֹּ֣רִדֵ֔הוּ
And when he had brought him down
H3381
וַיֹּ֣רִדֵ֔הוּ
And when he had brought him down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 19
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
נְטֻשִׁ֖ים
behold they were spread abroad
H5203
נְטֻשִׁ֖ים
behold they were spread abroad
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
upon all
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
upon all
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמֵאֶ֥רֶץ
and out of the land
H776
וּמֵאֶ֥רֶץ
and out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
7 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְחֹ֣גְגִ֔ים
and dancing
H2287
וְחֹ֣גְגִ֔ים
and dancing
Strong's:
H2287
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
בְּכֹל֙
H3605
בְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגָּד֔וֹל
because of all the great
H1419
הַגָּד֔וֹל
because of all the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
13 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
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
לָֽקְח֛וּ
that they had taken
H3947
לָֽקְח֛וּ
that they had taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
15 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וּמֵאֶ֥רֶץ
and out of the land
H776
וּמֵאֶ֥רֶץ
and out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
17 of 19
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
Historical Context
Post-raid celebrations were common in ancient cultures, serving both religious (thanksgiving to gods) and social (distributing spoils) functions. Such celebrations also created military vulnerability through distraction and inebriation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does overconfidence following success create vulnerability?
- What does the timing of the Amalekites' celebration teach about premature triumph?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Egyptian guides David to a scene of overconfident celebration: the Amalekites 'spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing.' The Hebrew 'chogegim' (celebrating, making festival) suggests religious feasting, possibly thanking their gods for successful plunder. Their security 'because of all the great spoil' creates vulnerability. The victory celebration becomes the context for their defeat. God uses their moment of greatest confidence as the occasion for their destruction.