1 Samuel 30:2

KJV

And had taken the women captives, that [were] therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried [them] away, and went on their way.

KJV (with Strong's)

And had taken the women {H802} captives {H7617}, that were therein: they slew {H4191} not any {H376}, either great {H1419} or small {H6996}, but carried them away {H5090}, and went {H3212} on their way {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they had taken captive the women and everyone there, great and small. They hadn't killed anyone but had carried them off as they went on their way.

Berean Standard Bible

They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.

American Standard Version

and had taken captive the womenand allthat were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 30:2 describes the aftermath of an Amalekite raid on Ziklag, David's city, while he and his men were away with the Philistine army. This verse specifically highlights a crucial detail: the Amalekites, a notoriously brutal enemy, did not kill anyone, "either great or small," but instead took all the women and children captive and departed. This act of preservation, seemingly unusual for such an adversary, sets the stage for David's subsequent pursuit and the miraculous recovery of all that was lost, underscoring God's providential hand even in moments of profound devastation and despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's humiliating dismissal from the Philistine army by the lords of the Philistines, who distrusted his loyalty in the upcoming battle against Israel [1 Samuel 29](/1_samuel/29 "1 Samuel 29 - David's Dismissal from Philistine Army"). David and his men return to Ziklag after a three-day journey, only to find their city burned and their families taken captive. The shock and grief of this discovery, detailed in the verses that follow [1 Samuel 30:3-4](/1_samuel/30-3 "1 Samuel 30:3-4 - David's Grief and Despair"), underscore the profound distress and desperation that grips David and his loyal followers. The specific detail in [1 Samuel 30:2](/1_samuel/30-2 "1 Samuel 30:2 - The Amalekite Raid on Ziklag")—that no one was killed—is a critical narrative pivot, transforming what could have been an irreversible tragedy into a recoverable loss, thereby setting the stage for David's inspired pursuit and God's miraculous intervention, leading to a complete recovery.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a long-standing, nomadic enemy of Israel, descendants of Esau, known for their opportunistic and cruel attacks, particularly against the weak and vulnerable [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek"). God had commanded Israel to utterly blot out the memory of Amalek [Exodus 17:14-16](/exodus/17-14 "Exodus 17:14-16 - War Against Amalek"), a command King Saul famously failed to fully execute [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience Regarding Amalek"). Their practice of raiding and taking captives was common in the ancient Near East, often for ransom, slave trade, or as a display of power, rather than wholesale slaughter, which might be less profitable. Ziklag itself was a Philistine border town given to David by Achish [1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - Achish Gives Ziklag to David"), making it a vulnerable outpost. The Amalekites likely saw David's absence as a prime opportunity for plunder, unaware of the divine purpose behind their restraint.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces the themes of **divine providence and preservation** amidst disaster. The Amalekites' unusual restraint in not killing anyone, despite their notorious brutality, is a clear indication of God's unseen hand at work, preserving life for a greater purpose. This preservation directly facilitates the subsequent theme of **restoration and recovery**, as the fact that the families were taken captive rather than massacred means they could be, and indeed were, rescued [1 Samuel 30:18-19](/1_samuel/30-18 "1 Samuel 30:18-19 - David Recovers All"). It also implicitly highlights the theme of **consequences and divine discipline**, as David's alliance with the Philistines and his presence in their camp left his own people vulnerable, leading to this crisis. Yet, even in this disciplinary moment, God's faithfulness to David and His overarching plan for him as the future king of Israel is evident through the preservation of his family and the families of his men.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Captives (Hebrew, _shavah'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁבָה (_shavah_) means "to take captive," "to lead away," or "to carry off." It implies a forceful removal of people from their homes, often into slavery or as spoils of war. In this context, its repetition ("taken the women captives... carried them away") emphasizes the complete and deliberate act of abduction, highlighting the vulnerability and helplessness of the victims. The fact that they were "taken captive" rather than "killed" is the crucial detail, setting the stage for their recovery.
* **Slew not (Hebrew, _harag'_):** The phrase "slew not" translates the Hebrew verb הָרַג (_harag_), meaning "to kill," "to slay," or "to murder." The explicit negation of this verb ("slew not any, either great or small") is highly significant. Given the Amalekites' history of ruthless violence and their general practice of total destruction against their enemies, their decision to spare lives here is remarkably atypical. This restraint is often interpreted as a direct act of divine intervention, ensuring that David's family, and indeed the lineage through which the Messiah would come, remained intact.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And had taken the women captives, that [were] therein:"** This clause details the primary action of the Amalekite raid: the abduction of the women from Ziklag. The focus on "women" (which in ancient contexts often included children and dependents) underscores the vulnerability of those left behind and the devastating impact on the community. The use of "captives" (from _shavah_) highlights the forced nature of their removal and their status as spoils of war.
* **"they slew not any, either great or small,"** This is the pivotal statement of the verse. It explicitly states that no one, regardless of age or status ("great or small"), was killed. This detail is contrary to the typical brutality of the Amalekites and is a clear indicator of God's providential hand. It transforms an otherwise complete tragedy into a situation where recovery is possible, preserving the lives of David's family and the families of his men.
* **"but carried [them] away, and went on their way."** This final clause reiterates the act of abduction and describes the Amalekites' departure. The repetition of "carried away" (again, from _shavah_) emphasizes the thoroughness of their action. Their "going on their way" signifies their successful completion of the raid from their perspective, but it also provides David with a trail to follow, setting the stage for the dramatic pursuit and recovery in the subsequent narrative.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the juxtaposition of the devastating raid (city burned, families taken) with the unexpected preservation of life ("slew not any"). This creates a tension that highlights God's hidden hand. There is also a powerful sense of **Irony**, as the Amalekites, known for their mercilessness and commanded by God to be utterly destroyed, are here seen exercising an unusual restraint that ultimately serves God's purposes for David. Furthermore, the preservation of life functions as a crucial piece of **Foreshadowing**, signaling that while the situation is dire, it is not hopeless. This detail directly sets up the narrative of David's pursuit and the complete recovery of all that was lost, demonstrating God's faithfulness and ability to bring good even out of the most calamitous circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The sparing of lives in 1 Samuel 30:2, despite the Amalekites' reputation for brutality, serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereign control over all circumstances, even the actions of His enemies. It illustrates that even in moments of deep distress and apparent defeat, God's providential hand can be at work, preserving what is vital for the unfolding of His divine plan. This seemingly small detail transforms an irreversible catastrophe into a recoverable loss, demonstrating that God can limit the destructive power of evil and create opportunities for restoration where none seem to exist. It reminds believers that even when circumstances appear bleakest, God's purposes cannot be thwarted, and He often works in unseen ways to protect His people and advance His kingdom.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Perspective on Evil for Good")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All Things Work Together for Good")
* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Many Are the Afflictions of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 1 Samuel 30:2, though describing a moment of profound loss for David and his men, offers a profound message of hope and resilience for believers today. When we face situations where everything seems to be stripped away—whether it be financial security, health, relationships, or dreams—this verse reminds us to look for the "slew not any" moments. These are the glimmers of God's preserving grace, the unexpected restraints on the destructive forces, or the partial losses that, while painful, leave room for future restoration. It encourages us to trust that even when the enemy has done their worst, God's hidden mercy can be at work, preventing total annihilation and setting the stage for a divine recovery. Our faith is not in the absence of trials, but in the presence of a God who can orchestrate events, even through the actions of our adversaries, to bring about good and to fulfill His purposes for our lives. This perspective empowers us to press into God in our distress, knowing that His hand is always active, preparing the way for our eventual rescue and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced significant loss, yet can now identify a "slew not any" moment where God's preserving hand was evident?**
* **How does the Amalekites' unusual restraint challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty over evil and adversity?**
* **What steps can you take to actively look for signs of God's hidden mercy and preservation in your current challenges?**
* **How does this narrative encourage you to persevere and trust God's process, even when the full extent of His plan is not yet clear?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Amalekites not kill anyone in Ziklag?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state the Amalekites' motivation, the most common theological interpretation is that their unusual restraint was an act of divine providence. The Amalekites were known for their brutality and often engaged in total destruction. However, in this instance, God supernaturally limited their destructive capacity to preserve the lives of David's family and the families of his men. From a human perspective, taking captives was also a common practice in ancient warfare, often for their value as slaves, for ransom, or as a display of power, which might have been more strategically advantageous than a massacre. However, the biblical narrative consistently points to God's unseen hand guiding events to fulfill His purposes, particularly in the life of David, His anointed king. This preservation was crucial for the subsequent recovery and the continuation of David's lineage, through which the Messiah would eventually come.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The preservation of life in 1 Samuel 30:2, where the Amalekites "slew not any," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Just as David's family was taken captive but not destroyed, allowing for their miraculous rescue, humanity was held captive by sin and death, yet not utterly annihilated. The enemy, Satan, indeed sought to kill and destroy [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Thief Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy"), but God, in His infinite mercy, intervened. Jesus Christ, the true Davidic King, came not to condemn the world but to save it [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save the World"). He defeated the ultimate enemy, sin and death, through His sacrifice and resurrection, disarming the powers and authorities [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). He is the one who leads captivity captive, setting free those who were enslaved by fear and sin [Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ Leads Captivity Captive"); [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death"). The physical recovery of families in Ziklag points to the spiritual recovery and redemption offered in Christ, where believers are brought from death to life [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ") and ultimately experience the full restoration of all things in the new heavens and new earth [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - God Wipes Away Every Tear").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.