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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 Samuel 30

1 Samuel 30:6

Stoning him — As the author of their miseries, by coming to Ziklag at first, by provoking the Amalekites to this cruelty, and by his forwardness in marching away with Achish, and leaving their wives and children unguarded. Encouraged himself — That is, in this that the all — wise, and all — powerful... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:7

The ephod — And put it upon thyself, that thou mayst enquire of God according to his ordinance, David was sensible of his former error in neglecting to ask counsel of God by the ephod, when he came to Achish, and when he went out with Achish to the Battle; and his necessity now brings him to his dut... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:8

He answered — Before, God answered more slowly and gradually, 1 Samuel 23:11, but now he answers speedily, and fully at once, because the business required haste. So gracious is our God, that he considers even the degree of our necessities, and accommodates himself to them.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:10

Four hundred — A small number for such an attempt: but David was strong in faith, giving God the glory of his power and faithfulness.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:12

Three days and nights — One whole day and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he saith, three days ago I fell sick, but in the Hebrew it is, this is the third day since I fell sick.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:13

Egypt — God by his providence so ordering it, that he was not one of that cursed race of the Amalekites, who were to be utterly destroyed, but an Egyptian, who might be spared. Left me — In this place and condition: which was barbarous inhumanity: for he ought, and easily might have carried him away... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:14

Cherethites — That is, the Philistines. Caleb — This is added by way of explication: that part of the south of Judah which belongs to Caleb's posterity.... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:16

Upon all the earth — Secure and careless, because they were now come almost to the borders of their own country, and the Philistines and Israelites both were otherwise engaged, and David, as they believed, with them. So they had no visible cause of danger; and yet then they were nearest to destructi... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:17

Twilight — The word signifies both the morning and evening twilight. But the latter seems here intended, partly because their eating, and drinking, and dancing, was more proper work for the evening, than the morning; and partly, because the evening was more convenient for David, that the fewness of... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:20

Other cattle — Before those that belonged to Ziklag. David's spoil — The soldiers, who lately were so incensed against David, that they spake of stoning him: now upon this success magnify him, and triumphantly celebrate his praise; and say concerning this spoil, David purchased it by his valour and... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:23

My brethren — He useth his authority to over — rule them; but manageth it with all sweetness, tho' they were such wicked and unreasonable men, calling them brethren; not only as of the same nation and religion with him, but as his fellow — soldiers. What God hath freely imparted to us, we should not... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:24

Part alike — A prudent and equitable constitution, and therefore practiced by the Romans, as Polybius and others note. The reason of it is manifest; because they were exposed to hazards, as well as their brethren: and were a reserve to whom they might retreat in case of a defeat; and they were now i... [ Continue Reading ]

1 Samuel 30:26

Elders of Judah — Partly in gratitude for their former favours to him: and partly, in policy, to engage their affections to him.... [ Continue Reading ]

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