And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

1 SAMUEL 30:1KJV
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1 Samuel 30:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 30:1 mean?

1 Samuel 30:1 describes how David and his men returned to their town, Ziklag, after three days away, only to find that the Amalekites had attacked, defeated, and burned the town. The verse sets the scene for a crisis, showing that their home was destroyed while they were gone.

David and his men had been away from Ziklag, likely on a mission or campaign, and returned to a devastating surprise. The Amalekites, a group often hostile to Israel, had raided the southern region and specifically targeted Ziklag, burning it with fire. This event marks a turning point in the story, leading to David’s next actions and decisions.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 30:1

  • "Amalekites" (עֲמָלֵקִי, ʿAmaleqi) refers to a people group frequently in conflict with Israel. Their appearance here signals a recurring threat and sets up the seriousness of the attack.
  • "Invaded" (פָּשַׁט, pashat) often carries the sense of a forceful, sweeping raid or incursion, not just a simple visit or attack. This word highlights the destructive intent and thoroughness of the Amalekite action.
  • "Burned" (שָׂרַף, saraf) means to destroy by fire, emphasizing the totality of the destruction. The use of this word shows that the attack was not just about looting but about erasing the place itself.

Why 1 Samuel 30:1 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David and his men were caught completely off guard, which explains their emotional response in the verses that follow.
  • The mention of Ziklag being burned connects to earlier chapters, where Ziklag had been given to David as a place of refuge; its loss is both personal and strategic.
  • Understanding the thoroughness of the Amalekite raid helps explain the urgency and desperation in David’s next steps, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter’s events.

Where else these words appear

“Ziklag” Hebrew H6860 · used in 12 verses

  • Joshua 15:31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
  • 1 Samuel 30:14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:30 And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,

“Amalekites” Hebrew H6003 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 14:7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
  • Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
  • 1 Samuel 27:8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

“invaded” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: