King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:19 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:19 in the King James Version says “And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 30:19 · KJV


Context

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.

20

And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.

21

And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. saluted: or, asked them how they did


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The emphatic repetition 'there was nothing lacking... David recovered all' emphasizes total restoration. The Hebrew construction 'lo ne'edar lahem... hakkol heshiv David' (nothing was missing... everything David brought back) stresses completeness. Not merely lives but possessions, relationships, and honor were restored. The categories, 'small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil,' cover every dimension of loss. God's restoration exceeds mere survival to include full redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Complete recovery of captives and spoil was remarkable given the time elapsed and distances involved. The Amalekites had not yet dispersed their captives to slave markets or distant camps, allowing total rescue.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's restoration sometimes exceed your expectations?
  2. What does complete recovery teach about God's redemptive purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְלֹ֣א1 of 19
H3808

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

נֶעְדַּר2 of 19

And there was nothing lacking

H5737

to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find wanting)

לָ֠הֶם3 of 19
H0
מִן4 of 19

to them neither

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקָּטֹ֨ן5 of 19

small

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

וְעַד6 of 19
H5704

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

הַגָּד֜וֹל7 of 19

nor great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְעַד8 of 19
H5704

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

בָּנִ֤ים9 of 19

neither sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבָנוֹת֙10 of 19

nor daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וּמִשָּׁלָ֔ל11 of 19

neither spoil

H7998

booty

וְעַ֛ד12 of 19
H5704

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

כָּל13 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 19
H834

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

לָֽקְח֖וּ15 of 19

nor any thing that they had taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָהֶ֑ם16 of 19
H0
הַכֹּ֖ל17 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֵשִׁ֥יב18 of 19

recovered

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

דָּוִֽד׃19 of 19

to them David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse


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 30:19 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 30:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study