David engaged in raids against Judah’s desert raiders. He attacked those people who traditionally attacked and raided the southern lands of Judah.1 These people were all ancient enemies of Israel that should have had been killed during the conquest. Both the Geshurites and the Amalekites were under the ban and were legitimate candidates for holy war (Deuteronomy 20:16–17).2 We can assume the same holds true for the Girzites. Thus, in attacking the desert raiders, David was continuing the work of conquest that was begun by Joshua (see Joshua 13:1–2; Joshua 15:31).3 He also accomplished the work that Saul failed (see 1 Samuel 15:1–3).
9 And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish.