4. (1 Sam 30:16-20) David routs and spoils the Amalekites and wins back everything
When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the great spoil that they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. But nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back. So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, "This is David's spoil."
When he had brought them down: Though left behind, the Egyptian knew the course which the Amalekites had taken, and thus he was able to bring David and his men quickly to them.
They were spread over all the land: The Amalekites were secure and careless as they celebrated their successful raids across the Negev. They were now almost to their border, and their biggest enemies (the Philistines and the Israelites) were in the north fighting their own battle. Additionally, they believed David and his men were fighting in the Philistine-Israel war in the north. Who could disrupt this time of great feasting?
Eating and drinking and dancing: The literal Hebrew is "keeping festival". Like all joyous celebrations, spontaneous singing and dancing breaks out as the wine makes its way through their veins. Of course, no celebration is complete without an abundance of delicious food.
David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day: "From the twilight" can mean either the evening twilight or the morning twilight. Examining the Hebrew word nesep and noting in other places in Scripture such as Job 7:4 and Psalm 119:147, it is translated as "dawn", it is best to believe David and his men fought from early dawn to after sunset of the same day.
David and his men, being much fewer in number than the Amalekites, may have intentionally delayed their attack until the early morning hours. As most celebrations become quite rambunctious as the night grows strong, the Amalekites early in the morning would be heavy with sleep, food and drink. David and his men making a surprise attack on the Amalekites would have been greatly unanticipated. David and his men still seething with anger and fiery from the loss of their city and loved ones would have bravely fought the numerous Amalekites. When David and his men started attacking, it would have been mass confusion. And perhaps like other battles in which God fights for His people, Amalekites may have unintentionally slaughtered each other in the chaos.
Four hundred men who rode on camels: A band of fugitives equal to the size of all David's men managed to escape the surprise attack. Although we are not told the size of the Amalekite forces, noting that 400 men escaped helps us imagine the total number of Amalekite soldiers must have been very great.
David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken: Everything that the enemy raided, David took back. God gave him a complete victory because David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6), David "inquired of the LORD" (1 Samuel 30:8), David did what God told him to do, and David showed unexpected kindness and care to others.
God's promise was proven true. When David inquired of the LORD, God promised "You shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all" (1 Samuel 30:8). The promise was exactly fulfilled. However, it was only fulfilled because David was a man of action. He did not sit passively back and say, "All right God, You fight and deliver us from our plight." The LORD fulfilled His promise, but He used David's actions to do so. God's promise did not exclude David's cooperation. Rather, God's promise involved David and his men being faithful and obedient. David had to trust that God would defeat the Amalekites, but he had to march into battle as if it all depended on him.
This is David's spoil: It is not that David claimed the spoil for himself, but the soldiers, who of late were so incensed at David that they spoke of stoning him, now upon David's success magnified him and triumphantly celebrated. It is as if his men are saying, "David purchased these items by his valor and conduct. He may dispose of them as he pleases." God gave David even more than what He had promised him. David received the spoil from the Amalekite raids beyond what was taken from Ziklag. This was God's rich abundance of grace blessing David.
Some wonder why David was allowed to keep the spoil of the Amalekites when Saul was expressly commanded to not keep anything from that nation (1 Samuel 15:1-3). Moreover, Saul was judged by God for not obeying that command (1 Samuel 15:13-23). The answers are simple. First, David had no specific command from God to destroy all the spoil from the Amalekites as Saul did. Second, David recovered what the Amalekites took from others, although David recovered far beyond what was taken from Ziklag. Third, David was not acting as the king of Israel representing the LORD'S nation as Saul was. Simply put, the rules in this case were different for David than they were for Saul.
C. The spoil from the battle is divided
1. (1 Sam 30:21-25) The spoils are distributed equally among those who fought and those who stayed by the baggage
When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left 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. Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except every man his wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart." Then David said, "You must no do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike." So it has been from that day forward, that he made it a statue and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
We will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered: As much as David has turned back to the LORD, many of his men seem to have no regard for God. It was God who had given them the victory. It was God who had given them the spoil. Now, in their selfishness, the men claim the spoil as theirs and not the LORD'S. This scene has played out many times over in history. Acts of greed and heartless covetousness often deprive many of their rewards.
You must not do so, my brothers: Using his authority to overrule their intentions, David manages this volatile situation with much grace and kindness. As ruthless and wicked as some of the men were, David politely reminds them that they are brothers--not only brothers in the same nation and brothers in the same land of Israel, but they were also brothers as fellow soldiers.
What the LORD has given us: It is as if David is saying, "When God has been so good to us, why ought we not share in God's rich abundance? He has blessed us. We must share in God's spoil with all who participated in this victory."
For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his shall be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike: David declared an important principle here: the supply lines are just are important as the soldiers. God will reward both soldiers and those who stayed behind equally. Many people serve God in invisible ways. Often, they are behind-the-scenes doing a vital aspect of the LORD'S work. God will reward those working on the front lines as well as those serving in hidden ways.
He made it a statue and an ordinance for Israel to this day: David having practiced this act of kindness during his reign of king made it a rule to follow for all kings after him. It is interesting to note that in the war with the Midianites, Moses orders half the spoil should belong to the combatants and half to the congregation who remained in the camp. ("You and Eleazar the priest and the heads of the fathers' households of the congregation take a count of the booty that was captured, both man and of animal; and divide the booty between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation" Numbers 31:26-27.) This enactment by David was in the same spirit as that done by Moses.
2. (1 Sam 30:26-31) David mends strained relationships
Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Behold, a gift for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD: to those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negev, and to those who were in Jattir, and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Borashan, and to those who were in Athach, and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men were accustomed to go."
He sent some of the spoil: To have made it worthwhile to have sent presents to all the places listed, the spoil from the Amalekites must have been ENORMOUS!!! Moreover, this is just some of the spoil. David and his men kept some of the booty acquired for their own personal gain.
Bethel: Not the famous city by that name, but it was probably the Bethul of Joshua 19:4 which is mentioned as lying near Hormah and Ziklag.
Ramoth of the Negev: Located in the south country, it was assigned to the tribe of Simeon.
Jattir This city belonged to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:48) ad was one of the cities assigned to the priests (Joshua 21:14).
Aroer: A city located south of Hebron.
Siphmoth: Nothing is known about this city.
Eshtemoa: A priestly city (Joshua 15:50 and Joshua 21:14). It is now called Es Semua and is located about nine miles south/southwest of Hebron.
Racal: Nothing is known about this city.
The cities of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites: They were located in the south of Judah, but their exact located is unknown.
Hormah: Called Zephath by the Canaanites (Joshua 12:14), it was assigned to Judah (Joshua 15:30) and transferred to Simeon (Joshua 19:4).
Borashan: Meaning "cistern of Ashan", this is the same as the city of Ashan, Simeonite city in the Negev originally given to Judah (Joshua 15:42 and Joshua 19:7).
Attach: Mentioned nowhere else in the Bible.
Hebron: It is one of the most ancient known cities in the world. It is now called El-Khalil which means "friend of God", owing to Abraham's residence there. During the early years of David's rule, Hebron was the residence and royal city of David. Beneath the building of the present Mosque of Hebron is the famous Cave of Machpelah, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and his wife Leah are buried. Hebron is located about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, situated in a narrow valley surrounded by rocky hills whose sides are clothed in vineyards.
All the places: It is evident that David's outlaw life must have lasted for some time and have proved an important factor in preparing the men of Judah to welcome him as their king. The instances above indicate that is was during this time period that he gained many of the faithful friends who afterwards filled offices of trust in his kingdom.
In conclusion: David knew that his time among the Philistines strained his relationships with God's people. Now, David knew he must do whatever he could to put things right again. So, he sent some of the spoil to the leaders in over 13 cities. This is the final step in David's getting things right after his time of backsliding among the Philistines.
Things David did to turn back to God:
1. David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
2. David inquired of the LORD.
3. David believed God's promise.
4. David did what God told him to do.
5. David showed unexpected care and kindness to others.
6. David saw it as the LORD'S victory.
7. David shared the reward with others.
8. David did what he could to mend relationships.
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