King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:3 in the King James Version says “So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.”

1 Samuel 30:3 · KJV

Context

1

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;

2

And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

3

So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4

Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5

And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

Read 1 Samuel 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The scene of David and his men encountering the burning ruins of their home emphasizes complete devastation. The Hebrew construction 'hineh seruphah ba'esh' (behold, burned with fire) captures the visual shock. The threefold loss, 'wives, sons, and daughters,' encompasses the entire domestic sphere. For ancient warriors, whose purpose centered on protecting family, this represented total failure. The men who followed David as protector found their trust apparently betrayed by his absence during the raid.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Returning warriors finding their settlement destroyed was an ancient nightmare. The complete vulnerability of undefended settlements made protection of home the primary obligation of fighting men.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you process discovering that what you left protected has been destroyed?
  2. What does it feel like to fail in your most fundamental responsibilities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיָּבֹ֨א1 of 12

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דָוִ֤ד2 of 12

“So David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשָׁיו֙3 of 12
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)

אֶל4 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעִ֔יר5 of 12

“to the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְהִנֵּ֥ה6 of 12
H2009

lo!

שְׂרוּפָ֖ה7 of 12

“and behold it was burned”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָּאֵ֑שׁ8 of 12

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֛ם9 of 12

“and their wives”

H802

a woman

וּבְנֵיהֶ֥ם10 of 12

“and their 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

וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶ֖ם11 of 12

“and their daughters”

H1323

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

נִשְׁבּֽוּ׃12 of 12

“were taken captives”

H7617

to transport into captivity

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 30:3 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 30:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 34:19Hebrews 12:6Revelation 3:91 Peter 1:6-7

Places in This Verse

ZiklagSettlement · Modern: Tell esh Sharia · 31.39°N, 34.68°E13 verses across 5 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 30 →

Test Your Knowledge

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