1 Samuel 30:17
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם
smote
H5221
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 21
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מֵֽהַנֶּ֥שֶׁף
them from the twilight
H5399
מֵֽהַנֶּ֥שֶׁף
them from the twilight
Strong's:
H5399
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִמְלַ֤ט
and there escaped
H4422
נִמְלַ֤ט
and there escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
אִֽישׁ
men
H376
אִֽישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 21
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)
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
12 of 21
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אִֽישׁ
men
H376
אִֽישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 21
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)
נַ֛עַר
young
H5288
נַ֛עַר
young
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
16 of 21
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רָֽכְב֥וּ
which rode
H7392
רָֽכְב֥וּ
which rode
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
18 of 21
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
Cross References
1 Samuel 11:11And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.Psalms 18:42Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.
Historical Context
Extended battles requiring a full day of fighting were exhausting engagements. The camel-mounted escapees likely constituted a mobile reserve or scouts who avoided the main engagement. Camels provided significant speed advantages over foot soldiers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sustained effort sometimes prove necessary for complete victory?
- What does the thoroughness of David's victory reveal about fulfilling God's promises?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David's attack 'from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day' indicates sustained combat lasting approximately twenty-four hours. The devastating results, 'there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men,' represent nearly complete destruction. Those who escaped, 'which rode upon camels,' had both the mounts and youth necessary for flight. The completeness of victory fulfills God's promise to 'without fail recover all' while executing judgment on Amalek.