1 Samuel 30:9
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ה֚וּא
H1931
ה֚וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
3 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְשֵׁשׁ
he and the six
H8337
וְשֵׁשׁ
he and the six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
4 of 14
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אִישׁ֙
men
H376
אִישׁ֙
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 14
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)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֔וֹ
H854
אִתּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
that were with him and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
that were with him and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 14
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
נַ֣חַל
to the brook
H5158
נַ֣חַל
to the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
11 of 14
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
Historical Context
The Brook Besor (modern Wadi Gaza) flows into the Mediterranean south of Gaza. Its mention establishes the extreme southern direction of the pursuit, toward Egyptian territory where the Amalekites ranged.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you mobilize demoralized people for necessary action?
- What happens when some cannot continue with the group's mission?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The pursuit begins with all six hundred men, demonstrating David's ability to rally grieving, bitter men for immediate military action. The brook Besor, marking the southern boundary of settled territory, becomes a dividing point in the narrative. The phrase 'those that were left behind stayed' introduces the issue of exhausted soldiers that will create later conflict. David's leadership must now balance military necessity with care for the weak.