1 samuel 30:16 - When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, drinking, and dancing, because of all the great plunder that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 30:16

What does "1 samuel 30:16" mean?


This verse describes a scene of unrestrained celebration and revelry among a group of Amalekite raiders. Let's break down the meaning:

"When he had brought him down...": This refers to a captured Egyptian slave (mentioned in the preceding verses) who had betrayed his Amalekite masters and agreed to lead David and his men to their raiding party. "Brought him down" likely implies leading them from higher ground or a hidden location to where the Amalekites were.
"...behold, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, drinking, and dancing...": This vividly paints a picture of a chaotic celebration. The Amalekites are scattered everywhere, indulging in food, drink, and dancing. This suggests a lack of discipline, organization, and alertness.
"...because of all the great plunder that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.": This explains the reason for their celebration. The Amalekites were reveling in the spoils of their successful raids. They had plundered both Philistine and Judahite territory. This indicates they were a formidable raiding force, targeting both traditional enemies of Israel (Philistines) and the Israelites themselves (Judah). The "great plunder" suggests a substantial amount of goods and wealth.

In summary, the verse portrays the Amalekites as a disorganized group, intoxicated with success and indulging in unrestrained celebration after plundering both Philistine and Judahite territory. This moment of vulnerability would prove disastrous for them, as David and his men were about to launch a surprise attack.

Significance in the Context of the Story:

The verse sets the stage for David's victory. Because the Amalekites are so engrossed in their celebration, they are caught off guard and easily defeated by David's small force. The verse highlights their vulnerability and emphasizes the contrast between their undisciplined revelry and David's strategic determination. This victory is crucial for David, re-establishing his authority and demonstrating his ability to protect his people's interests. It also foreshadows his future role as king.

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