撒母耳記上30章11-31節
撒母耳記上30章11-31節: 講義(龍漢泉弟兄)
大衛救回被擄的人與物
在本章（30章）前段裡，大衛被非利士首領拒絕參與攻打以色列人，就和他的手下返回洗革拉。不料洗革拉已經被亞瑪力人攻破，將城內的人口全部擄去，卻沒有殺死任何人。掃羅當年曾受命要滅絕亞瑪力人，但卻陽奉陰違，並沒有百分之百的執行。此時亞瑪力人又已壯大，再度搶奪猶大地和南地。大衛回來之後，發現人去城空，傷心欲絕。不但如此，甚至手下幾乎要發生兵變。然而他靠著神心裡得以剛強，並且蒙神指示他可以將人口財物奪回，他就帶領手下600人一起去追趕亞瑪力人。到了半路有200人疲乏不能夠前行，就留在原地修整。大衛帶領剩下的400人繼續追趕亞瑪力人。今天要查考的就是這件事情的後續發展。
I. 大衛巧遇埃及奴隸（30:11-15）
30:11 這四百人在田野遇見一個埃及人，就帶他到大衛面前，給他餅吃，給他水喝，
30:12 又給他一塊無花果餅，兩個葡萄餅。他吃了，就精神復原；因為他三日三夜沒有吃餅，沒有喝水。
30:13 大衛問他說：「你是屬誰的？你是哪裏的人？」他回答說：「我是埃及的少年人，是亞瑪力人的奴僕；因我三日前患病，我主人就把我撇棄了。
30:14 我們侵奪了基利提的南方和屬猶大的地，並迦勒地的南方，又用火燒了洗革拉。」
30:15 大衛問他說：「你肯領我們到敵軍那裏不肯？」他回答說：「你要向我指着神起誓，不殺我，也不將我交在我主人手裏，我就領你下到敵軍那裏。」
11『遇見（found）一個埃及人』
他們會遇見這位埃及人，我深信是神的安排。大衛他們回到洗革拉的時候，已經人去城空。所以他們很可能不知道敵人到底是誰，他們只能根據一些遺留的痕跡去追趕。他們的心情正是急躁的時候，若是稍不留意，就會錯過這個埃及人。大衛他們遇見他的時候，沒有因為時間緊迫，或是因為他是一個病危的人而捨棄他，反而給他餅吃，給他水喝。或許他們是想從他口中得到一些消息，但他們這樣的善行終於有所回報。正如保羅所說的：加6:9我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成。從後面的記載可以看到，這位埃及人是亞瑪力人的奴隸，因為生病被拋棄在曠野。如果亞瑪力人將這個埃及人帶回去治療，大衛他們就不會遇見他。而大衛他們因為沒有人指路，也必定增加了追趕亞瑪力人的難度。亞瑪力人這種殘忍的做法，終於受到了報應。
12『三日三夜沒有吃餅，沒有喝水』
這個埃及人已經三天三夜沒有吃東西也沒有喝水，而且他還是因為生病被拋棄，證明他是病得非常嚴重。但他居然可以撐過三天三夜不吃不喝，顯然又是一個神的作為。因為即使是一個健康的人，三天三夜不吃不喝也無法支持，何況是病重的人。神讓他可以存活，為的就是要讓大衛可以找到他，並且為大衛來引路。
『他吃了，就精神復原』
照理講當大衛發現他的時候，他應該已經是奄奄一息，甚至昏迷不醒人事。無論如何他應該已經是虛弱到極點，隨時會死亡。然而當大衛他們給他喝了水吃了餅之後，他精神就復原了，而且可以跟大衛他們正常的交流。從後面的發展來看，他很可能連身上的疾病都好了，所以可以給大衛他們帶路。這也是一個神蹟。
13『我是埃及的少年人，是亞瑪力人的奴僕』
一個埃及人怎麼會成為亞瑪力人的奴隸呢？很有可能他是亞瑪力人的戰利品。亞瑪力人從前大概攻擊了一個埃及的村落，將這個少年人擄掠回來，作為奴隸。就如他們攻擊了洗革拉，焚燒了城池，卻沒有殺一個人，大概也是為了將這些人作為奴隸來服侍他們。如此也就保全了大衛和他手下家人的性命。
『因我三日前患病，我主人就把我撇棄了』
從這句話可以看出當時這個埃及人的病情很嚴重，在亞瑪力人看來已經沒有利用的價值了，就將他撇棄了。由此可以看出亞瑪力人的殘暴無情，毫無憐憫之心。奴隸對他們來說只是一個工具而已，一旦這個工具失去了價值，就會被無情地撇棄。亞瑪力人作為以色列人的世仇，雙方都彼此了解很深。大衛他們知道如果不將家人們救回來，他們的命運跟這個埃及的少年人也不會有太大的差別。此外從這句話也可以看出來，亞瑪力人攻打洗革拉是至少三天以前的事情了，照理說大衛他們很難追上亞瑪力人了。
14『基利提的南方和屬猶大的地，並迦勒地的南方』
參附圖之 4號路線。『基利提』其來歷和定居位置不明，大概來自克里特（革哩底）島。他們不是亞伯拉罕的後代，可能是非利士人，住在非利士地或是迦特城的附近。後來大衛王僱他們作為禁衛軍（在地中海一帶僱用傭兵是很普通的做法）。參撒下8:18。
『迦勒地』在書 14:13 中，約書亞將希伯崙和底壁給了基尼洗族的迦勒為業，所以希伯崙及底壁間之地，大概就是迦勒地。很可能亞瑪力人這次入侵是從西向東進行的。先打擊了基利提人的邊境，然後在向東行進時，攜帶著戰利品攻打迦勒地的南方，再取道洗革拉返家。最後帶著所有的俘擄回到沙漠的深處。從這埃及奴隸的口中，大衛他們終於確定了敵人是誰，也知道了敵人大概的蹤跡。
15『不殺我，也不將我交在我主人手裏，我就領你下到敵軍那裏』
亞瑪力人一定認為這個埃及奴隸死定了，因此也不怕他洩漏機密。因為一個人在曠野，重病在身又沒得吃沒得喝，無論怎麼看都活不下去。然而當神介入的時候，一切都有可能。當神藉著大衛的手使他的身體復原之後，他就成為亞瑪力人失敗的導火線。他要求大衛不殺他，因為他顯然參與了攻打洗革拉的過程。因為沒有理由主人上去攻城，而僕人在下面觀望。而大衛顯然答應了他的要求，起誓不殺他，也不將他交在非利士人手裏，因此他就成了大衛的嚮導。
大衛回到洗革拉的時候發現人去城空，他知道是誰侵略了他們嗎？為什麼？ 試體會一下他們的心情。他們要如何奪回他們的人口和財物？
你覺得大衛他們遇見這個埃及少年人是個巧合嗎？為什麼？
這埃及人為什麼被撇棄？他病得很重嗎？為什麼？
他已經多久沒吃沒喝？按常理來說，他應該怎樣？為什麼仍然活著？
大衛他們為什麼願意幫助他？結果如何？對我們有什麼激勵嗎？
這個少年人吃了喝了結果如何？為什麼這麼快就恢復了？
他為什麼要求大衛不要殺他？大衛答應了嗎？
在這一段當中我能夠看到神的哪一些作為嗎？對我有什麼啟發與激勵？
II. 大衛殺敗亞瑪力人（30:16-20）
30:16 那人領大衛下去，見他們散在地上，吃喝跳舞，因為從非利士地和猶大地所擄來的財物甚多。
30:17 大衛從黎明直到次日晚上，擊殺他們，除了四百騎駱駝的少年人之外，沒有一個逃脫的。
30:18 亞瑪力人所擄去的財物，大衛全都奪回，並救回他的兩個妻來。
30:19 凡亞瑪力人所擄去的，無論大小、兒女、財物，大衛都奪回來，沒有失落一個。
30:20 大衛所奪來的牛群羊群，跟隨他的人趕在原有的群畜前邊，說：「這是大衛的掠物。」
16『散在地上，吃喝跳舞』
這個地方應該是亞瑪力人的老巢，所以那埃及少年人才能夠帶領大衛他們過去。他們散在地上（spread abroad over all the land），也就是毫無秩序地散佈在整個地面上。他們吃喝跳舞，慶祝戰爭的勝利，這是可以了解的。然而他們散在地上，周圍沒有任何的哨兵巡查，說明他們太過鬆懈，完全沒有想過有人會來偷襲他們。也許他們過去太過順利，沒有遭遇什麼挫折，喪失了應該有的警惕，這就給了大衛他們一個絕好的機會。也許這就像我們中國人老話說的『生於憂患，死於安樂』。有的時候神讓我們遇見一些苦難、挫折，也是為了我們的好處，免得我們在安樂的環境當中太久了，就忘了要警醒，抵抗撒但的誘惑。
『從非利士地和猶大地所擄來的財物甚多』
非利士地應該就是指前面所說的『基利提』。可見他們兇狠暴戾，完全不懼怕與非利士人與猶大人兩邊作戰。
17『除了四百騎駱駝的少年人之外』
這裡說『大衛從黎明直到次日晚上，擊殺他們』。這些非利士人至少領先大衛他們3天以上的路程。在比梭溪的時候，就已經有200人走不動了。我們可以想像得到，這些剩下的400人，經過這幾天的奔波跋涉，應該已經精疲力盡了。而這些非利士人卻是已經休息了許久，雙方的精力顯然是不能夠相提並論的。然而他們能夠起來擊殺這些非利士人，讓我們再一次看見神的作為。神賜給他們足夠的體力和精力，能夠戰勝仇敵。
以色列人對於時間的算法，乃是從傍晚太陽下山到次日傍晚算是一天。所以過了傍晚就是次日了。因此他們是從黎明一直殺到當天的晚上，意即擊殺了一整天。可見殺戮的人數甚多，也就是說逃脫的只是少數。然而即使是少數，也有400個人，所以整個營地裡面可能有兩三千人。而大衛他們只有400人，卻能夠擊潰這麼多的敵人，這也是神的作為。亞瑪力人絕對不是烏合之眾，這從他們可以從各地擄獲這些財物就可以看出來。所以當神要幫助一個人的時候，敵人不管多強大也沒有用。神藉著一次一次地以少擊眾、以弱擊強的戰役來訓練培植大衛的信心，直到他明白唯有靠著神才能擔負起神所交託他的責任，治理整個以色列國。
20『所奪來的牛群羊群，跟隨他的人趕在原有的群畜前邊』
18節說『亞瑪力人所擄去的財物，大衛全都奪回，並救回他的兩個妻來。』不但如此，非利士人其他的擄物，以及他們自己原有的財物，都被大衛他們奪走了。這顯然是一筆不小的財富，所以他們將這些奪獲的牛群羊群趕在他們自己的牲畜前邊，同時還炫耀的說『這是大衛的掠物』。
從時間差來看，當大衛他們追上非利士人的時候，他們的身體狀況如何？
他們為什麼有能力擊殺仇敵？他們擊殺了多久？
這些非利士人大概有多少人？他們為什麼能夠戰勝仇敵？
你覺得神是如何的培植訓練大衛？大衛能夠成為合神心意的人是偶然的嗎？
在這一段當中我能夠看到神的哪一些作為嗎？對我有什麼啟發與激勵？
III. 大衛定規擄物的分配方法（30:21-25）
30:21 大衛到了那疲乏不能跟隨、留在比梭溪的二百人那裏。他們出來迎接大衛並跟隨的人。大衛前來問他們安。
30:22 跟隨大衛人中的惡人和匪類說：「這些人既然沒有和我們同去，我們所奪的財物就不分給他們，只將他們各人的妻子兒女給他們，使他們帶去就是了。」
30:23 大衛說：「弟兄們，耶和華所賜給我們的，不可不分給他們；因為他保佑我們，將那攻擊我們的敵軍交在我們手裏。
30:24 這事誰肯依從你們呢？上陣的得多少，看守器具的也得多少；應當大家平分。」
30:25 大衛定此為以色列的律例典章，從那日直到今日。
21『留在比梭溪的二百人』
這200人因為疲乏不能跟隨大衛繼續追趕亞瑪力人，只能留在比梭溪休息。如今大衛得勝歸來，而且還有人發聲炫耀擄獲的牛羊，他們自然會出來迎接大衛。大衛也沒有輕視他們，反而前來問他們的安，要知道他們恢復了沒有。
22『惡人和匪類』
大衛與逃難的初期，聚集到他手下的人有好有壞。就如22章所說的：22:2 凡受窘迫的、欠債的、心裏苦惱的，都聚集到大衛那裏；大衛就作他們的頭目，跟隨他的約有四百人。這些人也許對大衛很忠心，但不見得個個都是善良之輩。NIV稱他們是『evil men
and troublemakers』。他們認為這些留守的人可以將各人自己的妻子兒女拿回去，但他們既然沒有參與亞瑪力人的爭戰，就不應該分享所奪的財物。可見這600人雖然經歷了這麼長時間的共患難，卻沒有學會共安樂，他們的私慾勝過了彼此的友情。這在每一個團體當中都是難免的。耶穌也說過麥子和稗子的比喻，我們只能小心自己不要成為惡人和匪類。
23『因為他保佑我們，將那攻擊我們的敵軍交在我們手裏』
那些惡人和匪類的話，彰顯出他們的驕傲自大。他們認為能夠打勝亞瑪力人，完全是自己的功勞，所以不願意將擄獲的財物分給那些留守的人。然而大衛很清楚看出，如果不是神的幫助，他們不可能追上亞瑪力人，並且將財物奪回。他說『因為耶和華保佑我們，將那攻擊我們的敵軍交在我們手裏。』所以他對那些匪類說，不可不將擄物分給留守的人。
24『上陣的得多少，看守器具的也得多少』
而且這裡可以看出，這些因為疲乏而留守的人並不是坐享其成。他們乃是看守器具（supply, baggage）的人，也就是後勤人員。在一場戰爭中，後勤人員的作用人人都很清楚。沒有他們的話，是不可能打贏的。因此大衛定下了『上陣的得多少，看守器具的也得多少』的規矩。其實這個法例在摩西五經當中已經初具雛形了。在民數記中記載以色列人打敗了米甸人並且奪獲了許多財物，回來之後摩西吩咐說『31:27 把所擄來的分作兩半：一半歸與出去打仗的精兵，一半歸與全會眾。』但這並沒有形成正式的法律，只是將其精神表彰出來。直到大衛的時候才定為法律。
在屬靈的戰爭中也是一樣。那些宣教士就像在前方打仗的人，而其他的信徒就像是看守器具的人。後者為前者提供各樣的支助，有金錢上的，有精神上的，有禱告上的。大家一起為同一場戰爭在努力，將來在神面前的賞賜也是一樣的。
那些惡人和匪類提出什麼要求？他們為什麼這樣要求？你覺得合理嗎？
他們這種說法顯示出他們內心怎麼想？他們認為這場戰爭是誰打贏的？
大衛怎麼回答？試比較大衛和那些惡人的區別。
我們有時是否也會跟那些人有同樣的想法？是否在許多事上覺得不公平？ 在這一段當中我能夠從大衛身上學到什麼功課嗎？對我有什麼啟發與激勵？
IV. 大衛將擄物分給朋友（30:26-31）
30:26 大衛到了洗革拉，從掠物中取些送給他朋友猶大的長老，說：「這是從耶和華仇敵那裏奪來的，送你們為禮物。」
30:27 他送禮物給住伯特利的，南地拉末的，雅提珥的；
30:28 住亞羅珥的，息末的，以實提莫的；
30:29 住拉哈勒的，耶拉篾各城的，基尼各城的；
30:30 住何珥瑪的，歌拉珊的，亞撻的；
30:31 住希伯崙的，並大衛和跟隨他的人素來所到之處的人。
26『送給他朋友猶大的長老』
大衛平時與這些猶大城中的長老們交好，因此就將所得的戰利品分送給他們。從這裡可以看出來，大衛並不是一個有勇無謀的莽夫，也不是只懂得治理國家大事。他的心非常細膩，知道怎樣交朋友，也知道怎樣與人維持良好的關係。難怪當掃羅戰死之後，猶大人第一個出來擁戴他作王。（撒下2:4）
『從耶和華仇敵那裏奪來的』
大衛很清楚的知道，亞瑪力人不但是他個人的仇敵，更是耶和華神的仇敵。神在出埃及的時候就明明的告訴他們說『出17:16耶和華已經起了誓，必世世代代和亞瑪力人爭戰。』這也是為什麼耶和華神吩咐掃羅要將亞瑪力人滅絕淨盡的原因。
27-31『伯特利，拉末，雅提珥，亞羅珥，息末，以實提莫，拉哈勒，耶拉篾，基尼，何珥瑪，歌拉珊，亞撻，希伯崙』
這些城都位於洗革拉附近。參附圖。由此可見大衛在洗革拉的一年4個月當中，並不是閉門不出。他乃是與周圍自己的同胞們交好，因此跟這些城的長老們成了朋友。他跟這些猶大人的交往應該是私底下做的，並沒有讓迦特王亞吉知道。否則的話，亞吉就知道他並沒有背叛以色列人了。這裡的『伯特利』並不是雅各做夢見到天梯的地方（創28）。那是位於耶路撒冷之北約 16 公里，示羅的西南約 15 公里處，在附圖H5的地方。本段的伯特利是在G6的地方。
從這一段當中，是否可以看出大衛有沒有過背叛以色列人的心？這與迦特王亞吉的認知有什麼不同？
大衛與這些猶大長老們交好，有什麼結果？我們有什麼可以學習的地方？
今天的查經對我有什麼幫助？我願意在未來一週做出什麼改變嗎？
30:11 這四百人在田野遇見一個埃及人，就帶他到大衛面前，給他餅吃，給他水喝，
30:12 又給他一塊無花果餅，兩個葡萄餅。他吃了，就精神復原；因為他三日三夜沒有吃餅，沒有喝水。
30:13 大衛問他說：「你是屬誰的？你是哪裏的人？」他回答說：「我是埃及的少年人，是亞瑪力人的奴僕；因我三日前患病，我主人就把我撇棄了。
30:14 我們侵奪了基利提的南方和屬猶大的地，並迦勒地的南方，又用火燒了洗革拉。」
30:15 大衛問他說：「你肯領我們到敵軍那裏不肯？」他回答說：「你要向我指着 神起誓，不殺我，也不將我交在我主人手裏，我就領你下到敵軍那裏。」
30:16 那人領大衛下去，見他們散在地上，吃喝跳舞，因為從非利士地和猶大地所擄來的財物甚多。
30:17 大衛從黎明直到次日晚上，擊殺他們，除了四百騎駱駝的少年人之外，沒有一個逃脫的。
30:18 亞瑪力人所擄去的財物，大衛全都奪回，並救回他的兩個妻來。
30:19 凡亞瑪力人所擄去的，無論大小、兒女、財物，大衛都奪回來，沒有失落一個。
30:20 大衛所奪來的牛群羊群，跟隨他的人趕在(原有的)群畜前邊，說：「這是大衛的掠物。」
30:21 大衛到了那疲乏不能跟隨、留在比梭溪的二百人那裏。他們出來迎接大衛並跟隨的人。大衛前來問他們安。
30:22 跟隨大衛人中的惡人和匪類說：「這些人既然沒有和我們同去，我們所奪的財物就不分給他們，只將他們各人的妻子兒女給他們，使他們帶去就是了。」
30:23 大衛說：「弟兄們，耶和華所賜給我們的，不可不分給他們；因為他保佑我們，將那攻擊我們的敵軍交在我們手裏。
30:24 這事誰肯依從你們呢？上陣的得多少，看守器具的也得多少；應當大家平分。」
30:25 大衛定此為以色列的律例典章，從那日直到今日。
30:26 大衛到了洗革拉，從掠物中取些送給他朋友猶大的長老，說：「這是從耶和華仇敵那裏奪來的，送你們為禮物。」
30:27 他送禮物給住伯特利的，南地拉末的，雅提珥的；
30:28 住亞羅珥的，息末的，以實提莫的；
30:29 住拉哈勒的，耶拉篾各城的，基尼各城的；
30:30 住何珥瑪的，歌拉珊的，亞撻的；
30:31 住希伯崙的，並大衛和跟隨他的人素來所到之處的人。
NIV
11 They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David. They gave him water to drink and food to eat—
12 part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.
13 David asked him, “Who do you belong to? Where do you come from?” He said, “I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago.
14 We raided the Negev of the Kerethites, some territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag.”
15 David asked him, “Can you lead me down to this raiding party?” He answered, “Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.”
16 He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah.
17 David fought them from dusk until the evening of the next day, and none of them got away, except four hundred young men who rode off on camels and fled.
18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.
19 Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.
20 He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”
21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were.
22 But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”
23 David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.
24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”
25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.
26 When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”
27 David sent it to those who were in Bethel, Ramoth Negev and Jattir;
28 to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa
29 and Rakal; to those in the towns of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites;
30 to those in Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athak
31 and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where he and his men had roamed.
ESV
11 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. And they gave him bread and he ate. They gave him water to drink,
12 and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.
13 And David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” He said, “I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago.
14 We had made a raid against the Negeb of the Cherethites and against that which belongs to Judah and against the Negeb of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.”
15 And David said to him, “Will you take me down to this band?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band.”
16 And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled.
18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives.
19 Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all.
20 David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him,[c] and said, “This is David's spoil.”
21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them.
22 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.”
23 But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.
24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.”
25 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.
26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD.”
27 It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir,
28 in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa,
29 in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites,
30 in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach,
31 in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed.
Footnotes
c. 1 Samuel 30:20 The meaning of the Hebrew clause is uncertain
NASB
11 Now they found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David, and gave him bread and he ate, and they provided him water to drink.
12 They also gave him a slice of fig cake and two cakes of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit [f]revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.
13 Then David said to him, “To whom do you belong? And where are you from?” And he said, “I am a young man of Egypt, a servant of an Amalekite; and my master abandoned me when I became sick three days ago.
14 We carried out an attack on the [g]Negev of the Cherethites, and on that which belongs to Judah, and on the [h]Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag with fire.”
15 Then David said to him, “Will you bring me down to this band of raiders?” And he said, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will bring you down to this band.”
16 Now when he had brought him down, behold, they were dispersed over all the land, eating and drinking and celebrating because of all the great plunder that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah.
17 And David [i]slaughtered them from the twilight [j]until the evening of [k]the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled.
18 So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and [l]rescued his two wives.
19 And nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, plunder, or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back.
20 So David had [m]captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of [n]the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s plunder.”
21 When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David and [o]had been left behind at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them.
22 Then all the wicked and [p]worthless men among those who went with David said, “Since they did not go with [q]us, we will not give them any of the spoils that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, so that they may lead them away and leave.”
23 But David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, for He has protected us and handed over to us the band of raiders that came against us.
24 And who will listen to you in this matter? For as is the share of the one who goes down into the battle, so shall be the share of the one who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike.”
25 So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
26 Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoils to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Behold, a [r]gift for you from the spoils of the enemies of the LORD:
27 to those who were in Bethel, to those who were in Ramoth of the [s]Negev, to those who were in Jattir,
28 to those who were in Aroer, to those who were in Siphmoth, to those who were in Eshtemoa,
29 to those who were in Racal, to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,
30 to those who were in Hormah, to those who were in Bor-ashan, to those who were in Athach,
31 to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men walked.”
Footnotes
f. 1 Samuel 30:12 Lit returned to him
g. 1 Samuel 30:14 I.e., South country
h. 1 Samuel 30:14 I.e., South country
i. 1 Samuel 30:17 Lit struck
j. 1 Samuel 30:17 Lit even until
k. 1 Samuel 30:17 Lit their
l. 1 Samuel 30:18 Lit David rescued
m. 1 Samuel 30:20 Lit taken
n. 1 Samuel 30:20 Lit those livestock
o. 1 Samuel 30:21 Lit they left them
p. 1 Samuel 30:22 Lit sons of Belial
q. 1 Samuel 30:22 Lit me
r. 1 Samuel 30:26 Lit blessing
s. 1 Samuel 30:27 I.e., South country