1 Samuel 30:20

And David took all the flocks and the herds, [which] they drave before those [other] cattle, and said, This [is] David's spoil.

And David {H1732} took {H3947} all the flocks {H6629} and the herds {H1241}, which they drave {H5090} before {H6440} those {H1931} other cattle {H4735}, and said {H559}, This is David's {H1732} spoil {H7998}.

David took all the flocks and herds and drove them ahead of their own livestock, announcing, "This is David's spoil."

And he recovered all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”

And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other cattle, and said, This is David’s spoil.

Commentary

1 Samuel 30:20 captures a pivotal moment in David's life, illustrating the abundant outcome of divine intervention and human perseverance. Following the devastating raid on Ziklag by the Amalekites, where David and his men lost their families and possessions, this verse highlights the triumphant recovery and even greater gain from their pursuit of the enemy.

Context

This verse is set immediately after David's decisive victory over the Amalekites who had sacked Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:1-3). Overwhelmed by grief, David sought strength in the Lord and inquired of God whether he should pursue the raiders. God commanded him to pursue, assuring him of complete recovery. Verses 1 Samuel 30:18-19 confirm that David recovered "all that the Amalekites had carried away." Verse 20 specifically details the *magnitude* of the recovered spoil, which included not only what was taken from Ziklag but also additional herds the Amalekites had previously plundered. David's declaration, "This is David's spoil," asserts his rightful claim and the victory's immense reward.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Abundance: The verse emphasizes that God not only restored what was lost but also provided an abundance beyond it. The phrase "drave before those [other] cattle" suggests the Amalekites' own herds were added to the recovered Ziklag possessions, signifying an overflow of blessing. This speaks to God's capacity to turn loss into gain, as seen in other biblical narratives of divine restoration.
  • Leadership and Provision: David's role as a leader is clear. He led his men in pursuit, secured the victory, and now takes charge of the immense spoil, preparing for its distribution among his weary but victorious men and the elders of Judah (1 Samuel 30:26). His declaration highlights his authority and responsibility in the aftermath of battle.
  • God's Faithfulness: This outcome is a direct fulfillment of God's promise to David in 1 Samuel 30:8. It underscores God's faithfulness to those who seek Him and obey His commands, even in the midst of despair.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "drave before those [other] cattle" is crucial. The Hebrew word for "spoil" is shalal (שָׁלָל), referring to plunder or booty. The text suggests that the Amalekites had already gathered their own extensive flocks and herds from other raids. When David's men recovered their own families and possessions, they also seized the Amalekites' existing plunder, resulting in a significantly larger collection of animals than they had originally lost. This detail amplifies the concept of superabundant blessing and divine recompense.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 30:20 offers profound encouragement. It reminds us that even after periods of great loss, despair, or defeat, God is capable of not only restoring what was taken but also adding abundantly to it. It teaches the importance of:

  • Seeking God's Direction: Like David, when faced with overwhelming challenges, our first step should be to inquire of the Lord.
  • Perseverance in Faith: David and his men were "distressed," but they pressed on in obedience to God's command.
  • Trusting in God's Restoration: This narrative serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to provide beyond our expectations, turning our losses into opportunities for greater blessing and testimony of His faithfulness.

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

  • 1 Samuel 30:26

    And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, [even] to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

  • Romans 8:37

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • Numbers 31:9

    And the children of Israel took [all] the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.

  • Numbers 31:12

    And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest, and unto the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the camp at the plains of Moab, which [are] by Jordan [near] Jericho.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:25

    And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
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