1 Samuel 30:19
Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.
Nothing was missing
This phrase underscores the completeness of God's restoration. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "אֵין" (ayin), meaning "nothing" or "not." This emphasizes the totality of the recovery. Historically, this reflects God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen throughout the Old Testament, where God often restores what was lost to His people. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and restore His people fully.

young or old
The Hebrew words "קָטֹן" (qaton) for "young" and "גָּדוֹל" (gadol) for "old" highlight the inclusivity of the recovery. This phrase indicates that every individual, regardless of age, was accounted for. In a broader scriptural context, it reflects the value God places on every life, echoing the biblical theme that God cares for all His people, from the least to the greatest.

son or daughter
This phrase emphasizes the familial aspect of the recovery. The Hebrew words "בֵּן" (ben) for "son" and "בַּת" (bat) for "daughter" signify the importance of family in the biblical narrative. In ancient Israel, family was central to social and religious life. This recovery of family members symbolizes the restoration of community and continuity of God's covenant people.

plunder or anything else they had taken
The term "plunder" in Hebrew is "שָׁלָל" (shalal), referring to goods taken during a raid. This phrase indicates that not only were the people restored, but also their possessions. This comprehensive recovery signifies God's provision and justice, ensuring that His people are not left lacking. It reflects the biblical principle that God is a God of justice who restores what the enemy has stolen.

David brought everything back
The name "David" in Hebrew means "beloved," and his role as the leader who brings back everything highlights his position as a type of Christ, a shepherd-king who rescues and restores. The phrase "brought everything back" signifies the successful completion of the mission. It serves as an inspirational reminder of God's ability to use His chosen leaders to accomplish His purposes, ensuring that His people are restored and blessed. This act of restoration prefigures the ultimate restoration found in Christ, who brings back all that was lost through sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed king of Israel, who at this time was leading his men in battle and seeking to recover what was lost.

2. Amalekites
A nomadic tribe that had raided Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the city.

3. Ziklag
A city given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was attacked and burned by the Amalekites.

4. David's Men
The group of warriors loyal to David, who were with him during the pursuit and recovery of their families and possessions.

5. The Recovery
The event where David and his men successfully retrieved all that was taken by the Amalekites, as described in 1 Samuel 30:19.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Restoration
Just as God enabled David to recover everything, He is faithful to restore what is lost in our lives when we trust in Him.

The Importance of Seeking God's Guidance
David's success was rooted in his practice of seeking God's will before acting. We should also prioritize prayer and divine guidance in our decisions.

The Role of Leadership in Crisis
David's leadership was crucial in rallying his men and pursuing the Amalekites. Effective leadership involves courage, decisiveness, and reliance on God.

The Assurance of God's Protection
The complete recovery of all that was taken underscores God's protective hand over His people, assuring us of His care in our trials.

Community and Unity in Recovery
The collective effort of David and his men highlights the importance of unity and support within a community when facing challenges.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's response to the crisis at Ziklag demonstrate his faith and leadership qualities?

2. In what ways can we seek God's guidance in our own lives, especially during times of loss or uncertainty?

3. How does the complete recovery of what was lost in 1 Samuel 30:19 encourage us to trust in God's restorative power today?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's experience about the importance of community and unity in overcoming challenges?

5. How can the account of David's recovery of the captives inspire us to pursue reconciliation and restoration in our relationships?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 23:1-5
David's previous experiences of seeking God's guidance in battle, showing a pattern of reliance on divine direction.

Exodus 17:8-16
The Amalekites' earlier conflict with Israel, highlighting their ongoing enmity and God's promise to blot them out.

Psalm 18:37-42
David's psalm of victory, reflecting his trust in God to deliver him from his enemies.

Luke 15:4-7
The parable of the lost sheep, illustrating God's desire to recover and restore what is lost.
David in Three SituationsC. Bradley, M. A.1 Samuel 30:1-31
An Egyptian SlaveB. Dale 1 Samuel 30:11-20
People
Abiathar, Abigail, Ahimelech, Ahinoam, Amalekites, Caleb, Cherethites, David, Eshtemoa, Jerahmeelites, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Kenites, Kerethites, Nabal
Places
Besor, Bethel, Bor-ashan, Carmel, Egypt, Eshtemoa, Hebron, Hormah, Jattir, Negeb, Negev, Racal, Ramoth, Siphmoth, Ziklag
Topics
Anything, Boy, Daughters, David, Girl, Goods, Got, Lacked, Lacking, Loss, Missed, Missing, Nothing, Plunder, Recovered, Sons, Spoil, Theirs, Themselves, Whether
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 30:18

     1651   numbers, 1-2

Library
At the Front or the Base
'As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff.'--1 Samuel xxx. 24. David's city of Ziklag had been captured by the Amalekites, while he and all his men who could carry arms were absent, serving in the army of Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. On their return they found ruin, their homes harried, their wives, children, and property carried off. Wearied already with their long march, they set off at once in pursuit of the spoilers, who had had a
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Secret of Courage
'But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'--1 Samuel xxx. 6. David was at perhaps the very lowest ebb of his fortunes. He had long been a wandering outlaw, and had finally been driven, by Saul's persistent hostility, to take refuge in the Philistines' country. He had gathered around himself a band of desperate men, and was living very much like a freebooter. He had found refuge in a little city of the Philistines, far down in the South, from which he and his men had marched as a contingent
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil
THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE themselves with a leader must share his fortunes. Six hundred men had quitted their abodes in Judaea; unable to endure the tyranny of Saul they had linked themselves with David, and made him to be a captain over them. They were, some of them, the best of men, and some of them were the worst: in this, resembling our congregations. Some of them were choice spirits, whom David would have sought, but others were undesirable persons, from whom he might gladly have been free. However,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Samuel 30:19 NIV
1 Samuel 30:19 NLT
1 Samuel 30:19 ESV
1 Samuel 30:19 NASB
1 Samuel 30:19 KJV

1 Samuel 30:19 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Samuel 30:18
Top of Page
Top of Page