1 Samuel 30:16
New International Version
He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah.

New Living Translation
So he led David to them, and they found the Amalekites spread out across the fields, eating and drinking and dancing with joy because of the vast amount of plunder they had taken from the Philistines and the land of Judah.

English Standard Version
And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Berean Standard Bible
So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil which they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

New American Standard Bible
Now when he had brought him down, behold, they were dispersed over all the land, eating and drinking and celebrating because of all the great plunder that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

NASB 1995
When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

NASB 1977
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Legacy Standard Bible
So he brought him down, and behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and celebrating because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Amplified Bible
When he brought David down, the Amalekites had disbanded and spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Christian Standard Bible
So he led him, and there were the Amalekites, spread out over the entire area, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he led him, and there were the Amalekites, spread out over the entire area, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.

American Standard Version
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the ground, 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.

Contemporary English Version
He led David to the Amalekites. They were eating and drinking everywhere, celebrating because of what they had taken from Philistia and Judah.

English Revised Version
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the ground, eating and drinking, and feasting, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Egyptian led him [to them]. They were spread out all over the land, eating, and drinking. They were celebrating because they had taken so much loot from Philistine territory and from the land of Judah.

Good News Translation
And he led David to them. The raiders were scattered all over the place, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of the enormous amount of loot they had captured from Philistia and Judah.

International Standard Version
The Egyptian led him to the camp, and there the Amalekites were spread out over the whole area, eating, drinking, and celebrating with the great amount of spoil they had taken from the territory belonging to the Philistines and to Judah.

Majority Standard Bible
So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah.

NET Bible
So he took David down, and they found them spread out over the land. They were eating and drinking and enjoying themselves because of all the loot they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

New Heart English Bible
When he had brought him down, look, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had conducted 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 from the land of the Philistines, and from the land of Judah.

World English Bible
When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, drinking, and dancing, because of all the great plunder that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he brings him down, and behold, they are spread out over the face of all the earth, eating, and drinking, and celebrating, with all the great spoil which they have taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

Young's Literal Translation
And he bringeth him down, and lo, they are spread out over the face of all the earth, eating, and drinking, and feasting, with all the great spoil which they have taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will bring him down, and behold them spread out upon the face of all the earth, eating and drinking and keeping a festival, for all the great spoil which they took from the land of the rovers, and from the land of Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had brought him, behold they were lying spread upon all the ground, eating and drinking, and as it were keeping a festival day, for all the prey, and the spoils which they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had led him, behold, they were stretched out on the face of the land everywhere, eating and drinking and celebrating, as if it were a feast day, because of all the prey and spoils that they had taken from the land of the Philistines, and from the land of Judah.

New American Bible
So he led them down, and there were the Amalekites lounging all over the ground, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of all the rich plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

New Revised Standard Version
When he had taken him down, they were spread out all over the ground, eating and drinking and dancing, because of the great amount of spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David swore to him, and when he had brought him down, behold, they were scattered upon the ground, eating and drinking and rejoicing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David swore to him and he took him down, and behold, those camping on the surface of the ground, eating and drinking and celebrating in all the great loot that they took from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Yehuda
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the ground, eating and drinking, and feasting, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So be brought him down thither, and behold, they were scattered abroad upon the surface of the whole land, eating and drinking, and feasting by reason of all the great spoils which they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Juda.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Destroys the Amalekites
15“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.” 16So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. 17And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.…

Cross References
Exodus 17:8-16
After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. / So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ...

Judges 7:19-23
Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. ...

1 Samuel 15:7-9
Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt. / He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. / Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

1 Samuel 23:1-5
Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.” / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” / But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” ...

2 Samuel 8:1-2
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 12:29-31
So David assembled all the troops and went to Rabbah; and he fought against it and captured it. / Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city. / David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 3:24-25
But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites. / They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.

2 Kings 13:25
Then Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben-hadad son of Hazael the cities that Hazael had taken in battle from his father Jehoahaz. Jehoash defeated Ben-hadad three times, and so recovered the cities of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:25-26
Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables—more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much. / On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they blessed the LORD. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

Psalm 18:37-42
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. / You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. ...

Psalm 44:5-7
Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies. / For I do not trust in my bow, nor does my sword save me. / For You save us from our enemies; You put those who hate us to shame.

Isaiah 9:3
You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.

Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Luke 11:21-22
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. / But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.


Treasury of Scripture

And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad on 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.

when he

Judges 1:24,25
And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy…

eating

1 Samuel 25:36-38
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light…

Exodus 32:6,17-19,27,28
And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play…

Judges 16:23-30
Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand…

because of all

Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

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Abroad Conducted Dancing David Drinking Earth Eating Judah Led Philistines Scattered Spoil Spread
1 Samuel 30
1. The Amalekites raid Ziklag
4. David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them
11. By the means of a received Egyptian he is brought to the enemies,
18. and recovers all the spoil
22. David's law to divide the spoil equally
26. He sends presents to his friends














So he led David down
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative. The "he" refers to the Egyptian servant who had been left behind by the Amalekites. His guidance to David is a divine orchestration, showcasing God's providence. The Hebrew root for "led" (נָחָה, nachah) implies guidance with purpose and care, reflecting God's hand in directing David's steps. This moment is a reminder of how God often uses unexpected means and people to fulfill His plans.

and there they were
This phrase sets the scene for the unfolding drama. The Amalekites, unaware of the impending danger, are caught in a moment of vulnerability. The Hebrew text emphasizes the suddenness and surprise of David's discovery, highlighting the element of divine timing. It serves as a reminder that God sees all and orchestrates events according to His perfect will.

scattered over the ground
The imagery here is vivid, depicting the Amalekites in a state of disarray and complacency. The Hebrew word for "scattered" (נָטַשׁ, natash) conveys a sense of abandonment and carelessness. This reflects the moral and spiritual disorder of the Amalekites, who are oblivious to the justice about to befall them. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and overconfidence.

eating, drinking, and celebrating
This triad of actions paints a picture of indulgence and revelry. The Amalekites are engrossed in their temporary triumph, indulging in the spoils of their raids. The Hebrew words for "eating" (אָכַל, akal), "drinking" (שָׁתָה, shathah), and "celebrating" (חָגַג, chagag) suggest a hedonistic lifestyle, disconnected from the reality of their impending doom. This serves as a stark contrast to the disciplined and God-fearing life that David exemplifies.

because of all the great plunder
The phrase underscores the motivation behind the Amalekites' celebration. The "great plunder" (שָׁלָל, shalal) represents the material wealth and possessions they have unjustly acquired. Biblically, plunder often symbolizes the fleeting nature of earthly riches and the moral corruption that can accompany greed. This serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that true wealth is found in righteousness and obedience to God.

they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah
This final phrase highlights the extent of the Amalekites' raids. By mentioning both the Philistines and Judah, the text emphasizes the widespread impact of their actions. Historically, this reflects the constant state of conflict and tension in the region. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the far-reaching effects of disobedience to God. The mention of Judah also foreshadows David's future role as king, uniting the tribes and restoring order under God's guidance.

(16) Spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking and dancing.--We have here a vivid picture of the wild license which these barbarians allowed themselves, now that they were secure, as they thought, from all pursuit. When the picked warriors of David's troops looked on the scene of revelry and debauch, and thought who were among the captives in that disorderly encampment, and remembered what homes had been made desolate to provide much of that great spoil over which Amalek was rejoicing, we may well conceive with what strength and fury the little veteran force of Israelites fell upon these desert robbers, who evidently far out-numbered them.

Verse 16. - When he had brought them down. Though left behind, the Egyptian knew the course which the Amalekites intended to take, and was thus able to bring David quickly up to them, as they would move slowly because of their large booty of cattle. On overtaking them David found them dispersed in scattered groups abroad upon all the earth (literally, "over the face of all the land"), eating and drinking, and dancing. More probably, "feasting." The word literally means keeping festival; but though they had solemn dances at festivals, yet, as is the case with our word feasting, good eating was probably the uppermost idea; still the word may have only the general sense of "enjoying themselves as on a festival." DEFEAT OF THE AMALEKITES AND RECOVERY OF THE WOMEN AND SPOIL (vers. 17-20).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he led [David] down,
וַיֹּ֣רִדֵ֔הוּ (way·yō·ri·ḏê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

and there were the Amalekites
וְהִנֵּ֥ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

spread out
נְטֻשִׁ֖ים (nə·ṭu·šîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 5203: To pound, smite, to disperse, to thrust off, down, out, upon

over
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

eating,
אֹכְלִ֤ים (’ō·ḵə·lîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

drinking,
וְשֹׁתִים֙ (wə·šō·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

and celebrating
וְחֹ֣גְגִ֔ים (wə·ḥō·ḡə·ḡîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2287: To make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast

the great
הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

amount of plunder
הַשָּׁלָ֣ל (haš·šā·lāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty

they had taken
לָקְח֛וּ (lā·qə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3947: To take

from the land
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of the Philistines
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

and the land
וּמֵאֶ֥רֶץ (ū·mê·’e·reṣ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Judah.
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 30:16 When he had brought him down behold (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 30:15
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