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1 Samuel 30:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 30:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and had taken captive the women [and all] that were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and had taken captive the women [and all] that were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.
1 Samuel 30:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the South, and upon Ziklag, and had smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire,
2and had taken captive the women [and all] that were therein, both small and great: they slew not any, but carried them off, and went their way.
3And when David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.
4Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
5And David`s two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
← 1 Samuel 30:11 Samuel 30:3 →
← Full Chapter 30 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And had taken the women captives, that [were] therein, etc.] There being no other to take, the men were gone with David: they slew not any, either great or small; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old, or maidens, or children; which was very much, since David destroyed all that came within his reach, men and women, when he invaded them, (<092709>1 Samuel 27:9); but perhaps this was not owing to their humanity, but to their covetousness, designing to make an advantage of them by selling them for slaves; no doubt they were restrained by the providence of God: but carried [them] away, and went on their way; homewards with their captives.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away--Their conduct seems to stand in favorable contrast to that of David (Sa1 27:11). But their apparent clemency did not arise from humane considerations. It is traceable to the ancient war usages of the East, where the men of war, on the capture of a city, were unsparingly put to death, but there were no warriors in Ziklag at the time. The women and boys were reserved for slaves, and the old people were spared out of respect to age.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:2 There were no fighting men left in Ziklag to protect the women and children. The Amalekites had a reputation for preying on the weak and vulnerable (see Deut 25:17-18). • without killing anyone: The Amalekites were not being compassionate; women and children were more useful alive than dead.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“slew not: Sa1 30:19, Sa1 27:11; Job 38:11; Psa 76:10; Isa 27:8, Isa 27:9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 30:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification