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◄ 1 Samuel 30:12►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.

King James Bible
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 drunkany water, three days and three nights.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
They also gave him a slice of fig cake and two cakes of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

NASB 1995
They gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

NASB 1977
And they gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

Amplified Bible
and they gave him a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins; and when he had eaten, his energy returned, for he had not eaten bread or had any water to drink for three days and three nights.

Christian Standard Bible
Then they gave him some pressed figs and two clusters of raisins. After he ate he revived, for he hadn’t eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they gave him some pressed figs and two clusters of raisins. After he ate he revived, for he hadn’t eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
some dried figs, and two handfuls of raisins. This was the first time in three days he had tasted food or water. Now he felt much better.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They gave him a slice of fig cake and two bunches of raisins. After he had eaten, he revived. (He hadn't eaten any food or drunk any water for three whole days.)

Good News Translation
some dried figs, and two bunches of raisins. After he had eaten, his strength returned; he had not had anything to eat or drink for three full days.

International Standard Version
They gave him part of a fig cake and two bunches of raisins. After he had eaten, he revived, since he had neither eaten food nor had he drunk water for three days and three nights.

NET Bible
They gave him a slice of pressed figs and two bunches of raisins to eat. This greatly refreshed him, for he had not eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.

New Heart English Bible
They gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins. 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 drank any water, three days and three nights.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins. So he ate and was revived, for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.

World English Bible
They gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, and drank no water for three days and three nights.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and give to him a piece of a bunch of dried figs, and two bunches of raisins, and he eats, and his spirit returns to him, for he has not eaten bread nor drunk water [for] three days and three nights.

Young's Literal Translation
and give to him a piece of a bunch of dried figs, and two bunches of raisins, and he eateth, and his spirit returneth unto him, for he hath not eaten bread nor drunk water three days and three nights.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will give to him a piece of a cake of dried figs and two bunches of dried grapes: and he will eat and his spirit will turn back to him, for he ate not bread and drank not water three days and three nights.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
As also a piece of a cake of figs, and two bunches of raisins. And when he had eaten them his spirit returned, and he was refreshed: for he had not eaten bread, nor drunk water three days, and three nights.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and also a section of a mass of dried figs, and two clusters of dried grapes. And when he had eaten, his spirit returned, and he was refreshed. For he had not eaten bread, nor drank water, for three days and three nights.

New American Bible
they also offered a cake of pressed figs and two cakes of pressed raisins. When he had eaten, he revived, for he had not taken food nor drunk water for three days and three nights.

New Revised Standard Version
they also gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, his spirit revived; for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they gave him two cakes of figs, and when he had eaten, his spirit revived; for he had not eaten bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he ate also two cheeses and his spirit returned unto him, because for three days and three nights he had not eaten bread and had not drunk water

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins; and when he had eaten, his spirit came back to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and he ate, and his spirit was restored in him; for he had not eaten bread, and had not drunk water three days and three nights.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Destroys the Amalekites
…11Now his men found an Egyptian in the field and brought him to David. They gave the man water to drink and food to eat—12 a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins.So he ate and was revived,for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights.13Then David asked him, “To whom do you belong, and where are you from?” “I am an Egyptian,” he replied, “the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me three days ago when I fell ill.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Luke 15:17
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!

Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Genesis 45:27
However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.

1 Kings 19:6-8
And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” / So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

2 Kings 4:42-44
Now a man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with a sack of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha. / But his servant asked, “How am I to set twenty loaves before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha, “for this is what the LORD says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” / So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Mark 6:41-42
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to His disciples to set before the people. And He divided the two fish among them all. / They all ate and were satisfied,

John 6:11-12
Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. / And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”

Acts 27:33-36
Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food. / So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.” / After he had said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ...

Exodus 16:12-15
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’” / That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. ...

Psalm 107:5-9
They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. / Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress. / He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live. ...

Matthew 14:19-20
And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. / They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

2 Samuel 17:28-29
They brought beds, basins, and earthen vessels, as well as wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, / honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

his spirit

1 Samuel 14:27
But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod thatwas in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.

Judges 15:19
But God clave an hollow place thatwas in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, whichis in Lehi unto this day.

Isaiah 40:29-31
He giveth power to the faint; and tothem that have no might he increaseth strength…

three days

1 Samuel 30:13
And David said unto him, To whombelongest thou? and whenceart thou? And he said, Iam a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.

Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, whichis not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Jonah 1:17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

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1 Samuel 30

1.The Amalekites raid Ziklag
4.David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them
11.By the means of a received Egyptian he is brought to the enemies,
18.and recovers all the spoil
22.David's law to divide the spoil equally
26.He sends presents to his friends

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins
In ancient Near Eastern culture, figs and raisins were common food items, often used for sustenance during travel or times of need. Figs and raisins are mentioned frequently in the Bible as symbols of provision and abundance (e.g.,1 Samuel 25:18,2 Samuel 16:1). The offering of these foods to the Egyptian servant by David's men signifies an act of mercy and hospitality, reflecting the biblical principle of caring for the needy (Proverbs 19:17). This act also prefigures the provision of Christ, who is the Bread of Life, offering spiritual sustenance to those in need (John 6:35).

So he ate and was revived
The physical revival of the Egyptian servant after eating symbolizes spiritual renewal and restoration. In biblical terms, eating often represents receiving life-giving sustenance, akin to how believers are spiritually nourished by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). This revival can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual awakening that occurs when one encounters the grace and provision of God. It also echoes the resurrection theme, where life is restored through divine intervention, pointing to the ultimate resurrection through Christ (John 11:25).

for he had not had any food or water for three days and three nights
The mention of "three days and three nights" is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing a period of trial or testing followed by deliverance or resurrection. This time frame is notably paralleled in the story of Jonah (Jonah 1:17) and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:40). The servant's lack of sustenance for this period highlights his dire condition and the miraculous nature of his revival, underscoring themes of redemption and divine intervention. This phrase also emphasizes the importance of compassion and timely aid, as demonstrated by David's men, reflecting God's call to care for the vulnerable and oppressed.

Persons / Places / Events

1.David
The future king of Israel, who is leading his men in pursuit of the Amalekites who had raided Ziklag.

2.The Egyptian Servant
A young man found in the field, abandoned by his Amalekite master because he fell ill.

3.Ziklag
The town given to David by the Philistine king Achish, which was raided and burned by the Amalekites.

4.Amalekites
A nomadic tribe that attacked Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the town.

5.David's Men
The group of warriors loyal to David, who are with him in pursuit of the Amalekites.

Teaching Points

Compassion in Action
David's men demonstrate compassion by providing for the Egyptian servant's physical needs, reminding us of the importance of mercy and kindness.

Revival through Provision
The physical revival of the Egyptian servant after receiving food and water illustrates how meeting basic needs can lead to restoration and strength.

God's Sovereignty in Circumstances
The encounter with the Egyptian servant was providential, showing how God can use unexpected situations to fulfill His purposes.

The Power of Generosity
The act of giving, even to a stranger or enemy, can lead to unexpected blessings and alliances.

Faith in Action
True faith is demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness and provision for those in need.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 30:12?

2.How does 1 Samuel 30:12 demonstrate the importance of showing kindness to strangers?

3.What can we learn about God's provision from 1 Samuel 30:12?

4.How does this verse connect to Jesus' teaching on loving your neighbor?

5.In what ways can we offer "a piece of fig cake" today?

6.How does helping others in need reflect Christ's love in our lives?

7.How does 1 Samuel 30:12 illustrate God's provision in times of distress?

8.What is the significance of the Egyptian servant in 1 Samuel 30:12?

9.How does 1 Samuel 30:12 reflect the theme of compassion in the Bible?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 30?

11.What foods are mentioned in the Bible?

12.If Saul reportedly destroyed the Amalekites earlier (1 Samuel 15), why do they reappear here in 1 Samuel 30?

13.Is there any archaeological evidence confirming Samuel's leadership or the transition he describes in 1 Samuel 12?

14.Matthew 12:39–40: If Jesus parallels his time in the tomb to Jonah’s “three days and three nights,” how does the typical Friday-to-Sunday timeline align with a literal 72-hour period?

What Does 1 Samuel 30:12 Mean

The Crisis Leading Up to1 Samuel 30:12

David returns to Ziklag to find the city burned and families taken (1 Samuel 30:1-3). While his men weep “until they had no strength left to weep” (v. 4), David seeks the LORD, is promised victory (v. 8), and sets out. The whole narrative is drenched in God’s faithful guidance, echoing earlier rescues such asGenesis 45:7-8 andPsalm 34:19.

An Unexpected Encounter With a Stranger

On the way, David’s party stumbles upon an abandoned Egyptian servant (vv. 11-13). The situation reminds us of divine appointments likeActs 8:26-35—seemingly chance meetings God uses for larger purposes. Here, the malnourished man becomes the key to locating the marauding Amalekites.

Compassion Expressed Through Simple Food

“They gave him a piece of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins” (v. 12a).

Points to notice:

• Provision first, questions later—mirroringProverbs 19:17;Matthew 25:35;James 2:15-16.

• Fig cakes and raisins are nutrient-dense, portable, and readily available from the region’s stores, much like the cakes Abigail previously offered David (1 Samuel 25:18).

• Physical kindness here is as weighty as any swordplay later; love of neighbor starts with tangible help (Luke 10:33-34).

Three Days and Three Nights of Deprivation

The servant “had not had any food or water for three days and three nights” (v. 12b). Scripture often marks three-day periods as times of testing and impending deliverance (Genesis 22:4;Jonah 1:17;Matthew 12:40). The detail underscores how near death he was, heightening God’s timing and David’s compassion.

Revival and Restoration

“So he ate and was revived” (v. 12).

• Revival here is literal—life returns to his body—yet it foreshadows spiritual revival that follows compassionate action (Isaiah 58:10;Mark 8:6).

• Elijah’s experience under the broom tree (1 Kings 19:5-8) shows a similar pattern: food, rest, renewed mission.

God’s Providence in Small Acts

The servant’s renewed strength leads to the exact intelligence David needs (vv. 15-16). A modest gift of food becomes the hinge on which an entire rescue turns, echoing Joseph’s “you meant evil … but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) and Paul’s shipwreck deliverance via “island hospitality” (Acts 28:1-2).

Implications for Believers Today

• Ordinary resources—fig cakes and raisins of our day—are kingdom tools (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

• Compassion is strategic as well as merciful; God weaves it into His larger victories (Micah 6:8;Galatians 6:9-10).

• No one is beyond God’s notice; an unnamed foreign servant becomes central to the story, reflectingRomans 5:6-8.

summary

1 Samuel 30:12 shows that timely, practical compassion revives the perishing and advances God’s purposes. A simple meal rescues a dying man, opens the path to victory, and displays how the LORD works through humble, literal acts of kindness to fulfill His sovereign plan.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12)Three days and three nights.--This was a note of time as to the amount of start the Amalekite leader with the plunder had. It may well be conceived there was no time to lose. The cruelty of the Amalekites to their slaves was the cause of their ultimate discomfiture, for with the very considerable start they already had, if David had not been quite certain, through the information of the Egyptian, of their route, the pursuit would have been utterly hopeless.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

a piece
פֶ֨לַח(p̄e·laḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6400:Cleavage, a millstone

of a fig cake
דְּבֵלָ֜ה(də·ḇê·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1690:A lump (of pressed figs), a pressed (fig) cake

and two
וּשְׁנֵ֤י(ū·šə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)

clusters of raisins.
צִמֻּקִים֙(ṣim·mu·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6778:A cake of dried grapes

So he ate
וַיֹּ֔אכַל(way·yō·ḵal)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398:To eat

and was revived,
וַתָּ֥שָׁב(wat·tā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, again

for
כִּ֠י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

he had not
לֹֽא־(lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, no

had any
אָ֤כַל(’ā·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398:To eat

food
לֶ֙חֶם֙(le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899:Food, bread, grain

[or]
שָׁ֣תָה(šā·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354:To imbibe

water
מַ֔יִם(ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semen

for three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה(šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thrice

days
יָמִ֖ים(yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117:A day

and three
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה(ū·šə·lō·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thrice

nights.
לֵילֽוֹת׃(lê·lō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversity

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OT History: 1 Samuel 30:12 They gave him a piece (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)