1 Samuel 30 15

1 Samuel 30:15 kjv

And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

1 Samuel 30:15 nkjv

And David said to him, "Can you take me down to this troop?" So he said, "Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this troop."

1 Samuel 30:15 niv

David asked him, "Can you lead me down to this raiding party?" He answered, "Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them."

1 Samuel 30:15 esv

And David said to him, "Will you take me down to this band?" And he said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will take you down to this band."

1 Samuel 30:15 nlt

"Will you lead me to this band of raiders?" David asked. The young man replied, "If you take an oath in God's name that you will not kill me or give me back to my master, then I will guide you to them."

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 15 Meaning

1 Samuel 30:15 describes a pivotal moment where David seeks critical information to track the Amalekite raiders who attacked Ziklag. David, having encountered an abandoned Egyptian slave, asks him for guidance. The slave, recognizing David's authority and his own precarious position, immediately sets a condition: David must swear an oath by God, promising neither to kill him nor to hand him back to his cruel master. In return for this assured protection, the slave pledges to lead David to the raiding party. This exchange reveals David's reliance on divine guidance coupled with practical action, and highlights the slave's astute understanding of his desperate situation and the need for a binding guarantee.

1 Samuel 30 15 Context

The events of 1 Samuel chapter 30 unfold after David and his men return to Ziklag to find their city burned and their families—wives, sons, and daughters—taken captive by the Amalekites (1 Sam 30:1-3). This catastrophic loss causes David and his men immense grief, leading them to weep until they have no more strength. David's own men, devastated, even consider stoning him (1 Sam 30:4-6). In this profound distress, David turns to the Lord, encouraging himself in God and seeking divine counsel through the ephod regarding whether to pursue the raiders (1 Sam 30:6-8). The Lord instructs David to pursue them, promising him success.

As David and his 600 men set out, some become too exhausted to continue. David leaves a portion of his men by the Brook Besor and continues with 400. While pursuing, they providentially discover an Egyptian man abandoned in the field because he was sick (1 Sam 30:11-12). This man had been left behind by his Amalekite master. David's men show him kindness, providing food and drink, which revives him. This discovery of the Egyptian slave, his revivification, and his subsequent readiness to share information, all point to God's hand in guiding David's steps. Verse 15 is the crucial moment where David directly requests assistance from this once-forgotten and now-revived individual, highlighting the desperate need for intelligence to find the enemy.

1 Samuel 30 15 Word analysis

• And David said: David, the leader, takes initiative in seeking information directly from the person who could provide it.
• to him, 'Can you bring me down: The interrogative "can you" (הֲתוֹרִדֵנִי - ha-to-ri-de-ni) uses the Hiphil imperfect of the verb יָרַד (yarad), meaning "to cause to go down" or "to lead down." This suggests leading into the region or to the exact location of the raiders, which was likely lower in elevation or a hidden encampment. David seeks practical guidance from an unexpected source.
• to this raiding party?': הַגְּדוּד הַזֶּה (ha-g'dud ha-zeh) – "this raiding party/band." The Hebrew word גְּדוּד (gedud) typically refers to a predatory troop, a band of plunderers or robbers. It clearly identifies the target. David needs precise intelligence to recover what was taken.
• He said, 'Swear to me: הִשָּׁבְעָה לִּי (hish-sha-ve-'a liy) – literally, "swear to me (an oath)." The verb שָׁבַע (shava) means "to swear, take an oath." This highlights the slave's astute recognition of David's power and his own vulnerable position. He demands a divinely-sanctioned, binding covenant from David.
• by God: בֵאלֹהִים (be-lohim) – "by God" or "by the Elohim." The slave invokes a higher power to make the oath sacred and unbreakable. This emphasizes the gravity of the promise he seeks and suggests that, even for this foreign slave, an oath sworn by deity carried immense weight and legitimacy, appealing to David's spiritual convictions.
• that you will neither kill me: לֹא תְמִתֵנִי (lo te-mi-te-ni) – "you will not put me to death." This primary fear underscores the slave's absolute vulnerability. He is a foreigner, potentially seen as an enemy, and knows he holds vital information. His life is entirely in David's hands.
• nor deliver me into the hands of my master,: וְלֹא תַסְגִּרֵנִי בְיַד־אֲדֹנָי (ve-lo tas-gi-re-ni ve-yad adonai) – "nor will you surrender me into the hand of my master." The verb הִסְגִּיר (hisgir) means "to surrender, deliver over." This fear reveals the cruelty of his Amalekite master who abandoned him when sick. Returning to such a master would mean punishment, perhaps torture, or death, indicating a life of harsh bondage. He seeks a double protection: from David, and from his former oppressor.
• and I will bring you down to this raiding party.': The slave asserts his capability to provide the information David desperately needs, contingent only upon David's sworn promise. He knows the location and disposition of the raiders.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Swear to me by God that you will neither kill me nor deliver me into the hands of my master": This conditional phrase encapsulates the dire reality of the ancient Near East: vulnerability, slavery, and the sanctity of oaths. It represents a negotiation born out of desperation and highlights the deep trust issues present due to his prior abandonment. The oath by "God" appeals to a universal or commonly respected higher power, ensuring the binding nature of the agreement for David.
• "Can you bring me down... to this raiding party?" contrasted with "and I will bring you down to this raiding party.": This direct question and equally direct answer underscore a transaction of information for protection. David requires vital intelligence to reclaim his family, and the slave possesses it, offering it only once his own survival is guaranteed. It highlights how God orchestrates events, even through a seemingly insignificant individual, to achieve His purposes.

1 Samuel 30 15 Bonus section

• The hesed (loyal love/mercy) displayed by David towards the abandoned Egyptian slave mirrors God's own character of compassion towards the helpless and downtrodden. David does not exploit the slave's desperation but rather assures his safety, echoing biblical commands to care for the stranger and fugitive.
• The incident highlights the concept of God's providence. The slave being sick and abandoned precisely at the point where David and his men would find him is not coincidental. It demonstrates God's sovereign hand orchestrating circumstances (even through human cruelty and abandonment) to deliver David and fulfill His promises.
• This verse can serve as a practical example for leadership: effective leaders gather information from diverse sources, including the marginalized, and build trust through their integrity and adherence to their word.
• The oath also suggests the pervasive influence of covenantal understanding in the ancient Near East, where formal agreements were secured by divine invocation, showing respect for higher powers as guarantors of justice.

1 Samuel 30 15 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:15 is a potent verse, rich in human drama and divine providence. It presents a remarkable moment where David, Israel's future king and a man after God's own heart, stoops to negotiate with a vulnerable, abandoned foreign slave for crucial information. This encounter highlights David's humility and reliance not only on God but also on human instruments. The slave's shrewd request for a God-sworn oath—a guarantee of life and freedom from his cruel master—is striking. It speaks volumes about the slave's understanding of his own perilous situation and the perceived sanctity of an oath taken by "God." This reveals the universal human need for safety and highlights the pervasive impact of God's character (who keeps covenants) on the broader cultural understanding of sworn promises, even among non-Israelites. David's immediate compliance demonstrates his compassion and integrity, choosing to honor the plight of the distressed. This act of mercy not only provides the necessary intelligence to achieve God's promise of recovery but also sets a precedent for how David will lead—with justice and mercy, even towards the outcast. Ultimately, this brief interaction proves to be the turning point that leads David to a resounding victory over the Amalekites, underscoring how God can use unexpected individuals and dire circumstances to accomplish His purposes.