Shmuel I: Perek 30

Read the text of Shmuel I 30

Bullet Point Summary

Shmuel I Perek 30

  • Upon Dovid’s return to Tziklag after being dismissed by King Achash, Dovid saw Amalek ravaged Tziklag.

  • The entire town was burned down and the women and children were taking captive.

  • Dovid’s men were upset with Dovid. They felt that if Dovid had not gone to war with King Achash they would have been there to protect their own land.

  • Dovid wept and drew strength from Hashem.

  • Dovid asked Avyasar the Kohen what to do. Avyasar related Hashem would let him defeat the Amalekim in battle if he pursued them.

  • Dovid pursued Amalek and found an Egyptian man along the way.

  • The Egyptian man related he was a slave of Amalek and burned down the town of Tziklag but has escaped.

  • Dovid swore not to harm the slave and in return the slave would show Dovid and his men were Amalek was located.

  • Dovid and his men found Amalek and wiped them out.

  • Dovid took all the spoils of war, woman and children who were held in captivity (Note: none of the woman or children was killed.)

  • Dovid “forced” his men to split the spoils of war equally amongst each other even though only 400 out of 600 of them went to battle.

  • Dovid sent gifts to other Jewish territories and to the all the places that hosted Dovid along the way.