1 Samuel 30:4 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Then David and the people. — 1 Samuel 30:1-4 form one period, which is expanded by the introduction of several circumstantial clauses. The apodosis to “it came to pass when,” &c., 1 Samuel 30:1, does not follow till 1 Samuel 30:4, “Then David and the people,” &c.; but this is formally attached to 1 Samuel 30:3. The statement, “So David and his men came,” with which the protasis commenced in 1 Samuel 30:1, is resumed in an altered form: “It came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag... the Amalekites had invaded... and had taken away the women captive... and had gone their way... and David and his men came into the city, and behold, it was burned.... Then David and the people with him lifted up their voice.” — Keil.