1 Samuel 30:20
New International Version
He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, “This is David’s plunder.”

New Living Translation
He also recovered all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock. “This plunder belongs to David!” they said.

English Standard Version
David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Berean Standard Bible
And he recovered all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”

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

New King James Version
Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

New American Standard Bible
So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s plunder.”

NASB 1995
So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s spoil.”

NASB 1977
So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David took all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Amplified Bible
So David captured all the flocks and herds [which the enemy had], and [the people] drove those animals before him and said, “This is David’s spoil.”

Christian Standard Bible
He took all the flocks and herds, which were driven ahead of the other livestock, and the people shouted, “This is David’s plunder! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He took all the sheep and cattle, which were driven ahead of the other livestock, and the people shouted, “This is David’s plunder!”

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

Contemporary English Version
including their livestock. David also took the sheep and cattle that the Amalekites had with them, but he kept these separate from the others. Everyone agreed that these would be David's reward.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He took all the sheep and the cattle. His men drove the animals ahead of him and said, "This is David's loot."

Good News Translation
He also recovered all the flocks and herds; his men drove all the livestock in front of them and said, "This belongs to David!"

International Standard Version
David took all the rest of the sheep and cattle, driving them ahead of their rescued livestock. People said about all this, "This is David's spoil."

Majority Standard Bible
And he recovered all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”

NET Bible
David took all the flocks and herds and drove them in front of the rest of the animals. People were saying, "This is David's plunder!"

New Heart English Bible
He took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, "This is David's spoil."

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

World English Bible
David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s plunder.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David takes the whole of the flock and of the herd [that] they have led on before these livestock, and they say, “This [is] David’s spoil.”

Young's Literal Translation
and David taketh the whole of the flock, and of the herd, they have led on before these cattle, and they say, 'This is David's spoil.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will take all the sheep and the oxen they drove before those cattle, and they will say, This David's spoil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he took all the flocks and the herds, and made them go before him: and they said: This is the prey of David.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he took all the flocks and the herds, and he drove them before his face. And they said, “This is the prey of David.”

New American Bible
Moreover, David took all the sheep and oxen, and as they drove these before him, they shouted, “This is David’s plunder!”

New Revised Standard Version
David also captured all the flocks and herds, which were driven ahead of the other cattle; people said, “This is David’s spoil.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David took all the flocks and the herds, and an abundance of other things in addition; and they said, This is David's spoil.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David took all the sheep and bulls in proportion to that property and they said: “This is what David rescued!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other cattle, and said: 'This is David's spoil.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he took all the flocks, and the herds, and led them away before the spoils: and it was said of these spoils, These are the spoils of David.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Destroys the Amalekites
19Nothing was missing, young or old, son or daughter, or any of the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David brought everything back. 20And he recovered all the flocks and herds, which his men drove ahead of the other livestock, calling out, “This is David’s plunder!”

Cross References
Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

Numbers 31:9-11
The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. / Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments, / and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals.

Deuteronomy 20:14
But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.

Joshua 8:27
Israel took for themselves only the cattle and plunder of that city, as the LORD had commanded Joshua.

Judges 5:30
‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’

2 Samuel 8:12
from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

2 Samuel 12:30-31
Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city. / David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 7:16
Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

2 Kings 14:14
He took all the gold and silver and all the articles found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace, as well as some hostages. Then he returned to Samaria.

1 Chronicles 26:27
They had dedicated some of the plunder from their battles to the repair of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 14:13-15
Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder / and attacked all the cities around Gerar, because the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities, since there was much plunder there. / They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and carried off many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Luke 11:22
But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, and then he divides up his plunder.

Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Mark 3:27
Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house.


Treasury of Scripture

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

This is David's spoil

1 Samuel 30:26
And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

Numbers 31:9-12
And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods…

2 Chronicles 20:25
And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.

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Ahead Captured Cattle David David's Drave Driving Drove Herd Herds Livestock Plunder Sheep Spoil Whole
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Ahead Captured Cattle David David's Drave Driving Drove Herd Herds Livestock Plunder Sheep Spoil Whole
1 Samuel 30
1. The Amalekites raid Ziklag
4. David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them
11. By the means of a received Egyptian he is brought to the enemies,
18. and recovers all the spoil
22. David's law to divide the spoil equally
26. He sends presents to his friends














David took all the flocks and herds
This phrase highlights David's role as a leader and a restorer. The Hebrew root for "took" is "laqach," which often implies taking possession or receiving something with authority. In the context of 1 Samuel 30, David's actions are not just about reclaiming what was lost but also about restoring order and justice after the Amalekites' raid. Historically, livestock represented wealth and sustenance, crucial for survival and prosperity. David's recovery of the flocks and herds signifies God's provision and blessing upon his leadership, reinforcing the idea that God empowers His chosen leaders to reclaim and restore what the enemy has stolen.

and they drove them ahead of the other livestock
The act of driving the flocks ahead signifies a strategic and organized approach to managing resources. The Hebrew word for "drove" is "nahag," which can mean to lead or guide. This reflects David's wisdom and foresight in ensuring the safety and order of the recovered possessions. In a broader scriptural context, this action can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual leadership, where the leader guides and protects the flock, ensuring their well-being. It also underscores the importance of stewardship, a recurring theme in the Bible, where God's people are called to manage His blessings responsibly.

saying, 'This is David’s plunder.'
The declaration "This is David’s plunder" serves as a testament to David's victory and God's favor upon him. The term "plunder" in Hebrew is "shalal," which refers to spoils of war. This phrase not only acknowledges David's success in battle but also serves as a public recognition of his leadership and God's deliverance. In the historical context, such proclamations were common to boost morale and unify the people under a victorious leader. From a spiritual perspective, this can be seen as a reminder that victories in life are ultimately attributed to God's intervention and blessing, encouraging believers to give credit to God for their successes and to recognize His hand in their triumphs.

(20) The flocks and the herds, which they drave.--In the English translation the word "which," inserted in italics, obscures the sense; the literal reading is, "And David took all the flocks and the herds; they drove them before their cattle, and said, this is David's spoil." David took, no doubt, by popular acclamation as his share of the plunder, all the flocks and herds belonging to the Amalekites, mostly acquired, no doubt, in the late raid; these were driven in front of "those cattle" thus particularising the cattle of Ziklag belonging to David's own people. Of course, this plunder went back to the original Israelitish owners. The drovers, as they marched behind the vast herds of Amalekite cattle, sung of the prowess of their leader in words long remembered, "See all this. This is David's spoil." It was "these herds"--numerically, probably very great--that David distributed among the friendly cities of the south. (See 1Samuel 30:26; 1Samuel 30:31.) All the other plunder of the camp--arms, accoutrements, ornaments, jewels, camels' cloths, &c.--was divided, as Bishop Hervey well suggests, among the little army. David's motive in choosing the sheep and oxen (for his warriors certainly the least desirable part of the Amalekite possession) is evident from 1Samuel 30:26-31. They were the most acceptable presents he could make to his friends in Judah.

Verse 20. - This verse, which is made unintelligible in the A.V. by the insertion of the unauthorised word which, is really free from difficulty. After David, as related in vers. 18, 19, had recovered the cattle carried oft by the Amalekites, he also took all the flocks and herds belonging to them; and his own men "made these go in front of that body of cattle, and said, This is David's spoil," i.e. they presented it to him by acclamation. It was this large booty which he distributed among his friends (vers. 26-31). DAVID ENACTS A LAW FOR THE DIVISION OF THE SPOIL (vers. 21-25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And he
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

recovered
וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the flocks
הַצֹּ֖אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and herds,
וְהַבָּקָ֑ר (wə·hab·bā·qār)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

which his men drove
נָהֲג֗וּ (nā·hă·ḡū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

ahead of
לִפְנֵי֙ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the other livestock,
הַמִּקְנֶ֣ה (ham·miq·neh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition

calling out,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“This
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

is David’s
דָּוִֽד׃ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

plunder!”
שְׁלַ֥ל (šə·lal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty


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OT History: 1 Samuel 30:20 David took all the flocks and (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 30:19
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