This verse (1 Samuel 30:20) is part of the story where David and his men pursue and defeat the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag and taken their families and possessions. The verse describes the spoils of war that David recovered:
"David took all the flocks and the herds...": This refers to David recovering all the livestock that the Amalekites had stolen from Ziklag and from other places during their raids.
"...which they drove before those other livestock...": This means David's men herded the recovered livestock ahead of their own livestock, likely to keep them separate and organized.
"...and said, “This is David’s plunder.”": This is the key part. By declaring it "David's plunder," the men were acknowledging David's leadership and right to distribute the spoils of war. This declaration would later become a point of contention between David's men and those who had been too exhausted to participate in the battle (see 1 Samuel 30:21-25). David ultimately decides to share the plunder equally with all his men, setting a precedent for fair distribution.
In essence, the verse shows David's successful retrieval of the stolen goods and the recognition of his authority over the recovered plunder. It also sets the stage for a subsequent conflict regarding the distribution of that plunder, which highlights David's sense of justice and leadership qualities.
This verse (1 Samuel 30:20) is part of the story where David and his men pursue and defeat the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag and taken their families and possessions. The verse describes the spoils of war that David recovered:
"David took all the flocks and the herds...": This refers to David recovering all the livestock that the Amalekites had stolen from Ziklag and from other places during their raids.
"...which they drove before those other livestock...": This means David's men herded the recovered livestock ahead of their own livestock, likely to keep them separate and organized.
"...and said, “This is David’s plunder.”": This is the key part. By declaring it "David's plunder," the men were acknowledging David's leadership and right to distribute the spoils of war. This declaration would later become a point of contention between David's men and those who had been too exhausted to participate in the battle (see 1 Samuel 30:21-25). David ultimately decides to share the plunder equally with all his men, setting a precedent for fair distribution.
In essence, the verse shows David's successful retrieval of the stolen goods and the recognition of his authority over the recovered plunder. It also sets the stage for a subsequent conflict regarding the distribution of that plunder, which highlights David's sense of justice and leadership qualities.