Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 27:9
And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
9. the sheep, &c.] In which the wealth of nomad tribes consists. Cp. 1Sa 15:3, &c.; Job 1:3. “We rode through five large Arab camps, and every hill-side and valley was filled with thousands of sheep, goats, oxen, asses, and camels.” Tristram, Land of Israel, p. 532.
returned and came to Achish ] After these expeditions he reported himself to Achish at Gath, and handed over to him the covenanted share of the plunder. It is to be inferred that Achish expected David to pay a kind of tribute, as well as to render personal service in war (1Sa 28:1).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 9. David smote the land] Here was a complete extirpation of all these people, not one being left alive, lest he should carry tidings of the disasters of his country! The spoil which David took consisted of sheep, oxen, asses, camels, and apparel.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Left neither man nor woman alive, to wit, in that part where he came; but there were more of the Amalekites yet left in another part of that land, 1Sa 30:1.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And David smote the land,…. In which the above mentioned people dwelt, that is, the inhabitants of it:
and left neither man nor woman alive; for these being the old Canaanites and Amalekites, according to the law of God were not to be spared, but utterly destroyed; which may be observed to remove the charge of cruelty that might be brought against David on this account, De 7:2; though this must be understood of such that came within his reach; for it is certain there were people of these several names after this; see 1Sa 30:1;
and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels,
and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish; at Gath, to make a report of what he had been about and done; and what he brought was a good booty for the support of his men and their families.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(9) And left neither man nor woman alive.These acts of ferocious barbarity are simply without excuse; the reason for them is told us in 1Sa. 27:11. No captive was to be left alive to tell the tale to King Achish, who was under the delusion that Davids feats of arms were carried out at the expense of his own countrymen, whose lands he was harrying. At this the Philistine rejoiced when he heard David was thus burning his only bridge of retreat: by alienating by these cruelties the affection of the people of Israel, by means of which, at some future time, he might have been recalled to his native land. There were a few occasions in the history of the chosen race when a war of extermination was commended. Then Israel was simply the stern instrument of wrath, usedas a pestilence is at timesto carry out the will of the earths Master; but David had no such charge. Was it not these acts of ruthless cruelty which left on this kings hands the stain of blood which rendered them unfit in after days to build the House of the Lord he longed so passionately to erect? (1Ch. 28:3).
And took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel.To fight under Davids banner now promised to be a lucrative service as well as an adventurous and wild career. Here at Ziklag, and for some time previously, we hear of brave discontented spirits from all parts of Israel joining him. In 1 Chronicles 12 we have a long and accurate list of heroes who formed that Ziklag band. Amongst these gallant soldiers who now, to use the chroniclers term, day by day came to David to help him, were a troop of Benjamites who had joined him some time before: their leader Amasai, on being questioned as to their reason for joining him, answered, We are on thy side, thou son of Jesse . . . for thy God helpeth thee (1Ch. 12:18). The words of Amasai express the feeling which seems to have pervaded Israel at that time in reference to David. The people throughout the land were coming to feel that Jehovah had indeed chosen David. The chronicler even speaks of Davids band at Ziklag, after the recruits from all parts of Israel had poured in, as a great host, like the host of God (1Ch. 12:22).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. David smote the land What was the occasion or reason of this terrible slaughter we are not informed, but probably roving bands from these tribes had made incursions into the land adjoining Ziklag. Compare 1Ch 12:21. The question of Achish, in 1Sa 27:10, seems to imply that David was wont to make such predatory excursions; and some have sought to justify him in this slaughter on the ground that these nations were under the curse of God, and the Israelites were divinely authorized to exterminate them. But this was no sufficient warrant for David, while a fugitive from his native land, and without special instruction from God, to undertake the work on his own responsibility. If any apology is to be offered, it is the supposition that these tribes were disturbing the country by their lawless raids for plunder.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 27:9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
Ver. 9. And left neither man nor woman alive. ] To tell tales, or carry tidings. This he might lawfully do, for they were people devoted to utter destruction.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) in 1Sa 27:9.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
left neither: 1Sa 15:7, Gen 16:7, Gen 25:18, Exo 15:22
and the camels: 1Sa 15:3, Deu 25:17-19, Jos 6:21
Reciprocal: Exo 17:14 – for I will Num 24:20 – his latter end Num 31:7 – all 2Ki 9:15 – none go forth 1Ch 18:11 – Amalek
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 27:9. And left neither man nor woman alive In that part where he came; but there were many of the Amalekites yet left in another part of that land.