King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:17 in the King James Version says “And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. the next: Heb. their morrow”

1 Samuel 30:17 · King James Version

Salvation

Context

15

And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

16

And when he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

17

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. the next: Heb. their morrow

18

And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

19

And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

Read 1 Samuel 30 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
David's attack 'from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day' indicates sustained combat lasting approximately twenty-four hours. The devastating results, 'there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men,' represent nearly complete destruction. Those who escaped, 'which rode upon camels,' had both the mounts and youth necessary for flight. The completeness of victory fulfills God's promise to 'without fail recover all' while executing judgment on Amalek.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Extended battles requiring a full day of fighting were exhausting engagements. The camel-mounted escapees likely constituted a mobile reserve or scouts who avoided the main engagement. Camels provided significant speed advantages over foot soldiers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sustained effort sometimes prove necessary for complete victory?
  2. What does the thoroughness of David's victory reveal about fulfilling God's promises?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּכֵּ֥ם1 of 21

“smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

דָּוִ֛ד2 of 21

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מֵֽהַנֶּ֥שֶׁף3 of 21

“them from the twilight”

H5399

properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)

וְעַד4 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָעֶ֖רֶב5 of 21

“even unto the evening”

H6153

dusk

לְמָֽחֳרָתָ֑ם6 of 21

“of the next day”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וְלֹֽא7 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִמְלַ֤ט8 of 21

“and there escaped”

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

מֵהֶם֙9 of 21
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אִֽישׁ10 of 21

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּי֩11 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם12 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אַרְבַּ֨ע13 of 21

“of them save four”

H702

four

מֵא֧וֹת14 of 21

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִֽישׁ15 of 21

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נַ֛עַר16 of 21

“young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אֲשֶׁר17 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

רָֽכְב֥וּ18 of 21

“which rode”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עַל19 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַגְּמַלִּ֖ים20 of 21

“upon camels”

H1581

a camel

וַיָּנֻֽסוּ׃21 of 21

“and fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 30:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 30:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 11:11Psalms 18:42Judges 4:161 Samuel 15:31 Kings 20:29-30

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 30 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 30 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes