1 Samuel 30 12

1 Samuel 30:12 kjv

And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

1 Samuel 30:12 nkjv

And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights.

1 Samuel 30:12 niv

part of a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of raisins. He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days and three nights.

1 Samuel 30:12 esv

and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. And when he had eaten, his spirit revived, for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

1 Samuel 30:12 nlt

They also gave him part of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins, for he hadn't had anything to eat or drink for three days and nights. Before long his strength returned.

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 12 Meaning

This verse describes David's men providing immediate sustenance—dried fig cake and raisins—to a starving Egyptian man they discovered, left behind by the Amalekites. Upon consuming this food, the man, who had gone three days and three nights without any nourishment, regained his strength and vitality. This act of compassion brought about the recovery of his spirit and physical well-being.

1 Samuel 30 12 Context

The verse is situated in 1 Samuel Chapter 30, following David and his men's return to Ziklag to find it burned and their wives and children taken captive by the Amalekites. Overwhelmed with grief, David sought strength and direction from the Lord, who commanded him to pursue the Amalekites, promising a successful recovery. As David and his men were pursuing the raiders, they came upon a severely dehydrated and starved Egyptian man in the field, who had been left behind by the Amalekite raiders due to illness. This verse describes the initial act of compassion shown to him before he would reveal the Amalekites' location. This humanitarian act, undertaken amidst David's own profound distress, proved to be divinely strategic, directly leading to the recovery of all that had been lost.

1 Samuel 30 12 Word analysis

• And they gave him: "They" refers to David and his men. This highlights their initiative and compassion even while they themselves were in great distress over their families. It was an unexpected act of mercy towards a helpless, potentially "enemy" or "stranger" figure.
• a piece of a cake of figs: In Hebrew, dĕbēlâ (דְּבֵלָה), a compressed cake made from dried figs. Figs were a common and highly valued food source in ancient Israel, known for their energy-rich content and portability, making them ideal provisions for travelers and armies. Providing a "piece" (פת pat referring to a small portion, often a fragment or morsel) suggests it was part of their limited provisions, further emphasizing the depth of their generosity.
• and two clusters of raisins: In Hebrew, ṣimmuq (צִמֻּק), clusters of dried grapes. Raisins, like figs, were a staple, providing quick energy and good sustenance. Offering "two clusters" signifies a substantial, life-giving amount, sufficient to begin revival. Both figs and raisins were calorie-dense and helped in rehydrating to some extent, vital for someone near death from exposure.
• and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: The phrase "his spirit came again to him" uses the Hebrew rūaḥ (רוּחַ), which in this context means his vital energy, life force, strength, or vigor returned. It signifies a dramatic and rapid recovery from an extremely weakened or near-death state, showing the immediate and profound impact of basic nourishment on his depleted body and mind. This idiomatic expression denotes restoration of consciousness and vitality.
• for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights: This explains the critical condition of the Egyptian man, underscoring the severity of his starvation and dehydration. "Three days and three nights" is a common Hebrew idiom for a full three-day period (a common span signifying completeness or a significant period), highlighting the extremity of his deprivation and the miraculous nature of his quick recovery upon receiving food and water. This state would have made him entirely dependent on outside help, amplifying the compassion shown by David's men.

1 Samuel 30 12 Bonus section

The act of compassion in this verse is not merely an incidental detail but a key moment revealing God's hand at work through David. Had David's men not shown kindness to this abandoned servant, they would not have received the intelligence necessary to track down the Amalekites and recover their lost families and belongings. This teaches that even amidst great personal suffering and uncertainty, extending mercy and charity aligns with divine purpose and can be the very means by which God provides solutions or guidance. It underscores the biblical principle that acts of human compassion often pave the way for God's redemptive plan to unfold, showing that the kingdom of God operates through kindness and practical help to those in need.

1 Samuel 30 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:12 provides a vivid account of practical compassion yielding crucial results. In their moment of profound anguish, David and his men, despite being famished and distressed themselves, extend unexpected mercy to a helpless, dying Egyptian man. The simple act of providing basic provisions—figs and raisins—demonstrates their humanitarian spirit and is pivotal. This small, readily available food, common for travelers, swiftly revives a man teetering on the brink of death from severe dehydration and starvation, highlighting the profound effect of simple nourishment. This act of mercy is divinely orchestrated, leading directly to the vital information David needs to successfully recover his family and possessions, showcasing how compassion for the vulnerable can be intertwined with divine providence for ultimate success.