And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

And had taken the women captives that were in it, both little and great: and they had not killed any person, but had carried them with them, and went on their way.

and had taken the women captives that were in it; both great and small: they had put none to death, but had carried them off, and went on their way.

and they take captive the women who are in it; from small unto great they have not put any one to death, and they lead away, and go on their way.

And had made the women and all who were there, small and great, prisoners: they had not put any of them to death, but had taken them all away.

And they had led the women in it away as captives, from the small to the great. And they had not killed anyone, but they led them away with them. And then they traveled on their journey.

And had taken the women captives, that were therein,.... There being no other to take, the men were gone with David:
they slew not any, either great or small; that is, of the women, whether married or unmarried, old, or maidens, or children; which was very much, since David destroyed all that came within his reach, men and women, when he invaded them, 1-Samuel 27:9; but perhaps this was not owing to their humanity, but to their covetousness, designing to make an advantage of them by selling them for slaves; no doubt they were restrained by the providence of God:
but carried them away, and went on their way; homewards with their captives.

they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away--Their conduct seems to stand in favorable contrast to that of David (1-Samuel 27:11). But their apparent clemency did not arise from humane considerations. It is traceable to the ancient war usages of the East, where the men of war, on the capture of a city, were unsparingly put to death, but there were no warriors in Ziklag at the time. The women and boys were reserved for slaves, and the old people were spared out of respect to age.