1 Samuel 30:19

And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any [thing] that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

And there was nothing lacking {H5737} to them, neither {H4480} small {H6996} nor great {H1419}, neither sons {H1121} nor daughters {H1323}, neither spoil {H7998}, nor any thing that they had taken {H3947} to them: David {H1732} recovered {H7725} all.

They found nothing missing, big or little - not sons, not daughters, not plundered goods or anything else they had taken - David brought it all back.

Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back.

And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them: David brought back all.

Commentary

1 Samuel 30:19 describes the triumphant outcome of David's pursuit of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag, his base of operations. This verse emphatically states the completeness of the recovery: "And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any [thing] that they had taken to them: David recovered all."

Context

This verse comes at a critical juncture in David's life. Having been dismissed by the Philistine lords, David and his 600 men returned to their city, Ziklag, only to find it burned to the ground and their families—wives, sons, and daughters—taken captive by the Amalekites. This devastating loss led to immense grief and even thoughts of stoning David among his distressed men. However, in this moment of deep despair, David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. He then inquired of the Lord, who assured him of success: "Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all." Verse 19 is the powerful fulfillment of that divine promise, showcasing God's faithfulness to David and his men.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration: The central theme is God's power to restore what was lost. Despite the seemingly insurmountable destruction and personal tragedy, God enabled David to reclaim everything.
  • God's Faithfulness: This passage highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances look bleak. His assurance to David was perfectly fulfilled.
  • Seeking God's Guidance: David's decision to inquire of the Lord before acting was crucial. It demonstrates the importance of seeking divine direction in times of crisis and uncertainty.
  • Completeness of Recovery: The repeated phrase "nothing lacking" and "recovered all" emphasizes that the restoration was total, down to the smallest item and every person.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "recovered" is shûb (שׁוּב), which means "to return," "to bring back," or "to restore." Its usage here, combined with the emphatic "all" (כֹּל, kol), underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of David's victory. It wasn't just a partial return; it was a complete restoration of everything that had been taken by the Amalekites.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 30:19 offers profound encouragement for believers facing personal or collective loss. It teaches that even when life's circumstances seem utterly hopeless and everything appears to be taken away, God has the power to bring about full restoration. David's experience serves as a powerful reminder to:

  • Strengthen Yourself in the Lord: Like David, when overwhelmed by devastating events, we are called to lean into God's presence and power, finding hope in Him alone.
  • Seek God's Direction: Before acting in times of crisis, consult God through prayer and His Word, trusting in His guidance for the path forward.
  • Believe in God's Restorative Power: This verse is a testament to God's ability to restore what the enemy has stolen, whether it be material possessions, relationships, or even years of life, echoing sentiments found in Joel 2:25. It speaks to the hope of divine intervention and a complete turnaround, reinforcing the truth that with God, nothing is truly lost forever if He wills it.

This narrative powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of His people, turning lament into celebration and despair into triumph through His sovereign will and restorative hand.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 91:9

    ¶ Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;

  • Psalms 91:10

    There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

  • 1 Samuel 30:8

    And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake [them], and without fail recover [all].

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Psalms 34:9

    O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.

  • Psalms 34:10

    The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

  • Genesis 14:14

    And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan.
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