1 Samuel 30:11

And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water;

And they found {H4672} an Egyptian {H376}{H4713} in the field {H7704}, and brought {H3947} him to David {H1732}, and gave {H5414} him bread {H3899}, and he did eat {H398}; and they made him drink {H8248} water {H4325};

They found an Egyptian in the countryside and brought him to David. They gave him some bread to eat and water to drink;

Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eatโ€”

And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they gave him water to drink;

Commentary

1 Samuel 30:11 describes a pivotal moment in David's pursuit of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag and captured his family and the families of his men. After David had strengthened himself in the Lord and received divine instruction to pursue, this verse details a crucial discovery that would lead them to their enemy.

Context

Following the devastating raid on Ziklag, where the Amalekites had burned the city and taken everyone captive, David and his 600 men were in immense distress. Despite the despair, David sought the Lord's guidance, and God assured him of success. As they set out in pursuit, they encountered an unexpected individual in the wilderness. This Egyptian was a servant of one of the Amalekites, abandoned because he had fallen ill. His desperate condition highlights the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the lack of mercy often shown to the weak. The discovery of this man in the field was a direct answer to David's prayer and a testament to God's careful orchestration of events.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Guidance: The discovery of the Egyptian was not accidental but divinely orchestrated. God, in His providence, used an abandoned servant to provide the crucial intelligence David needed to track down the Amalekites. This demonstrates how God can use unexpected sources to guide His people, as seen in Proverbs 3:6, which speaks to acknowledging God in all your ways.
  • Compassion and Humanity: Despite their urgent mission and personal anguish, David's men showed remarkable compassion to a stranger in distress. They did not leave him to die but offered him basic necessities: "bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water." This act of kindness, even to a potential enemy's servant, reflects a moral principle found throughout Scripture regarding showing mercy to the needy and even to one's adversaries.
  • The Value of Small Acts: The simple acts of giving food and water to a dying man yielded immense strategic benefit. This highlights how acts of mercy, no matter how small they seem, can have far-reaching and significant consequences in God's plan. It underscores that God can use the humble and the overlooked for His great purposes.
  • Preparation for Victory: The information provided by the Egyptian was indispensable for David's successful recovery mission. This encounter was a vital link in the chain of events leading to David's triumph over the Amalekites, who had long been enemies of Israel (see Exodus 17:16 regarding God's enduring war against Amalek).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text simply states "an Egyptian." In the Hebrew, this is ืžึดืฆึฐืจึดื™ (Mitsri), referring to someone from Egypt. The phrase "in the field" (ื‘ึทึผืฉึธึผื‚ื“ึถื” - bassadeh) implies he was found abandoned in an open, desolate area, underscoring his vulnerable state. The immediate provision of "bread" (ืœึถื—ึถื - lechem) and "water" (ืžึทื™ึดื - mayim) signifies basic, life-sustaining necessities, demonstrating the men's prompt and essential care before any interrogation.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to remember God's active involvement in their lives, even in dire circumstances. When facing overwhelming challenges, like David, we can trust that God provides the necessary resources and guidance, often through unexpected channels. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and hospitality. Even when focused on our own struggles, extending kindness to others can unlock divine favor and provide critical breakthroughs, demonstrating the principle that what we do for the least of these, we do for Christ.

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

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 23:7 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.

  • Deuteronomy 15:7 (2 votes)

    If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

  • Deuteronomy 15:11 (2 votes)

    For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

  • Matthew 25:35 (2 votes)

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

  • Luke 10:36 (2 votes)

    Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

  • Luke 10:37 (2 votes)

    And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

  • Proverbs 25:21 (2 votes)

    ยถ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: