John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And David smote the land , etc.] In which the above mentioned people dwelt, that is, the inhabitants of it: and left neither man nor woman alive ; for these being the old Canaanites and Amalekites, according to the law of God were not to be spared, but utterly destroyed; which may be observed to remove the charge of cruelty that might be brought against David on this account, ( Deuteronomy 7:2 25:19); though this must be understood of such that came within his reach; for it is certain there were people of these several names after this; (see 1 Samuel 30:1 2 Samuel 3:3 1 Kings 9:15); and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels , and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish ; at Gath, to make a report of what he had been about and done; and what he brought was a good booty for the support of his men and their families.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-12 - While David was in the land of the Philistines, he attacked some remains of the devoted nations. The people whom he cut off were lon before doomed to destruction. It is often wisdom to shun public notice but we must in no situation be idle. We must always try to do somewha in the cause of God. This expedition David hid from Achish. But a equivocation which serves the purpose of a lie, is as like to it as hypocrite is to a profane person, it is only better in appearance therefore more dangerous. Yet, though believers often manifes imperfections, they can never be prevailed upon to renounce the servic of God, and to unite interests with his enemies, or finally to becom the servants of sin and Satan. But what a train of evils follow from unbelief! When we forget the Lord's past mercies, and his graciou assurances, we shall be overwhelmed with desponding fears, and probabl be led to adopt some dishonourable method to get rid of our troubles Nothing can so effectually establish us in holy tempers and practices and preserve us from perplexities, as firm, unshaken dependence upo the promises of God in Christ Jesus _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew והכה5221 דוד1732 את853 הארץ776 ולא3808 יחיה2421 אישׁ376 ואשׁה802 ולקח3947 צאן6629 ובקר1241 וחמרים2543 וגמלים1581 ובגדים899 וישׁב7725 ויבא935 אל413 אכישׁ׃397
