Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 30:21
And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that [were] with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
1Sa 30:21-25
And David came to the two hundred men which were so faint that they could not follow.
The statute of David for the sharing of the spoil
I. I shall begin by saying, first, that faint ones occur even in the army of our King. We have among us soldiers whose faith is real, and whose love is burning; and yet, for all that, just now their strength is weakened in the way, and they am so depressed in spirit, that they are obliged to stop behind with the baggage.
1. Possibly some of these weary ones had grown faint because they had been a good deal perplexed. David had so wrongfully entangled himself with the Philistine king, that he felt bound to go with Achish to fight against Israel. They were perplexed with their leaders movements. I do not know whether you agree with me, but I find that half-an-hours perplexity takes more out of a man than a months labour.
2. Perhaps, also, the pace was killing to these men. They made forced marches for three days from the city of Achish to Ziklag. To us there may come multiplied labours, and we faint because our strength is small.
3. Worst of all, their grief came in just then. Their wives were gone. Although, as it turned out, they were neither killed nor otherwise harmed; yet they could not tell this, and they feared the worse.
4. Perhaps, also, the force of the torrent was too much for them. In all probability the brook Besor was only a hollow place, which in ordinary times was almost dry; but in a season of great rain it filled suddenly with a rushing muddy stream, against which only strong men could stand. These men might have kept on upon dry land, but the current was too fierce for them, and they feared that it would carry them off their feet and drown them. Therefore, David gave them leave to stop there and guard the stuff.
5. Yet these fainting ones were, after all, in Davids army. Their names were in their Captains Register as much as the names of the strong.
II. These fainting ones rejoice to see their leader return.
1. David saluted the stay-at-homes. Our Kings salutations are wonderful for their heartiness. He uses no empty compliments nor vain words. Every syllable from His lips is a benediction. Every glance of His eye is an inspiration.
2. Davids courtesy was as free as it was true. When Christ comes into a company his presence makes a heavenly difference. Have you never seen an assembly listening to an orator, all unmoved and stolid? Suddenly the Holy Ghost hast fallen on the speaker, and the king himself has been visibly set forth among them in the midst of the assembly, and all have felt as if they could leap to their feet and cry, Hallelujah, hallelujah! Then hearts beat fast, and souls leap high; for where Jesus is found his presence fills the place with delight.
III. Faint ones have their leader for their advocate.
1. First, do you notice, he pleads their unity? The followers of the son of Jesse are one and inseparable. David said, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us. We are all one, says David. God has given the spoil, not to you alone, but to us all. We are all one company of brothers. The unity of saints is the consolation of the feeble. One life is ours, one love is ours, one heaven shall be ours in our one Saviour.
2. David further pleaded free grace, for be said to them, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us. The gift of God is eternal life. Deny not to anyone of your brethren any comfort of the covenant of grace.
3. Then he pleaded their needfulness. He said, These men abided by the stuff. No army fights well when its camp is unguarded. The kind of service which seems most commonplace among men is often the most precious unto God. Therefore, as for those who cannot come into the front places of warfare, deny them not seats of honour, since, after all, they may be doing the greater good. Remember the statute, They shall part alike.
4. Notice that David adds to his pleading a statute. He makes a statute for those who are forced to stay at home because they are faint. Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus, He is always looking to the interests of those who have nobody else to care for them! Some of Gods people are illiterate, and they have but tittle native talent. Some dear servants of God seem always to be defeated. They seem sent to a people whose hearts are made gross and their ears dull of hearing. Some saints are constitutionally depressed and sad; they are like certain lovely ferns, which grow best under a constant drip. Well, well, the Lord will gather these beautiful ferns of the shade as well as the roses of the sun; they shall share His notice as much as the blazing sunflowers and the saddest shall rejoice with the gladdest. If lawfully detained from the field of active labour this statute stands fast forever, for you as well as for others: As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
IV. Now, faint ones find Jesus to be their good Lord in every way. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Tarrying by the stuff
There is an impression abroad that the great rewards of the eternal world are to be given to the great heroes, the great philanthropists, the great statesmen–the great men, the great women. My text sets forth the idea that just as great rewards will come to those who stay at home and mind their own business, just as great rewards to those who are never seen in the high places of the field, just as great rewards to those who are never heard of–garrison duty as important as duty at the front. As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff. A great many people are discouraged when they read the story of David and Joshua, and Paul and John Knox and Martin Luther; they say, Those men had special opportunities; perhaps if I had had the same opportunities I might have done just as well; but I shall never be called to command the sun and moon to stand still; I will never be called to preach on Mars Hill; I will never be called, as John Knox was, to make a queen tremble for her crimes; I will never preside over a hospital; my life is all commonplace and humdrum. And many a woman says within herself, Ah, you folks on the platform and in the pulpit are all the time talking about heroines, great women, and they were great, but they had a special opportunity; perhaps, if I had the same opportunity I might do just as well; my life is all humdrum, my life is to sew the button on, to prevent the children from being asphyxiated with the whooping cough, to keep down the family expenses, to see that the meals are ready at the right time; I get no chance, it is all humdrum, humdrum. Woman, your reward in the eternal world will be just as great as that of Florence Nightingale, who was called by the soldiers in the camp The Lady of the Lamp; because passing through the hospitals she kindled up the darkness with this lamp, and ministered to the suffering, and they all said, Here comes the lady of the lamp. Your reward in eternity will be just as great if you do your work where you are put as well as she did her work where she was put. Your reward will be just as great as that of Mrs. Hertzog, who endowed the theological seminary for the education of the young ministry. Ah, how many who had ten talents get no reward in the eternal world, and how many who had only one talent will have dominions committed to them!
1. Oh, what consolation there is there for all people who do unappreciated work! Here is a great merchant philanthropist; he is as good and generous as he is affluent; you know his name–do you know the name of his confidential clerk?–the man on whose fidelity that fortune was built up, so that he could accumulate his vast wealth and then generously distribute it? Oh, no, you dont know the name of the confidential clerk. Is he to get no reward? I tell you that in the eternal world the merchant prince, who distributed his millions will get no more reward than the confidential clerk. As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff. You know the names, I suppose, of the great presidents of railroads. Do you know the names of the brakeman, of the engineer, on whose wrist last night 300 lives hung; of the switchman, who, moving the switch three or four inches that way, and the whole train goes through in peace and families reach their homes in safety? A good many years ago a Christian woman was seen every eventide going along by the edge of the woods. She had a large family, and her neighbours said, How can this woman, with all her cares and anxieties, waste her time going along the edge of the wood at eventide? They did not find out until after her death why she went. She went there to pray for her household, and one evening, while there, she wrote that beautiful hymn sung in all our churches in America, and, I have no doubt, sung in your churches:–
I love to steal awhile away
From every cumbering care,
And spend the hours of setting day
In humble grateful prayer.
No minister of religion standing in European or American pulpit today giving out that hymn, will have more reward than that woman received for writing it.
2. There is great consolation in the subject for all those who used to be at the front in great enterprises of benevolence and religion. Why, when a subscription paper came round their name was at the top for a good big sum. When a revival came they would pray all night with the anxious. They were strong, healthy, affluent. But not now. Their fortune has collapsed, their health has gone, they are clear discouraged; they do not see how they can help Gods work any more. Nay; look at those 200 men by the brook Besor. Just shove back the sleeve and show how the muscles were twisted in the battle. Just pull aside the turban and see the scar where the battleaxe struck. Just pull aside the coat a little and see where the spear went in. They got just as much reward as those who went to the front, and you who were at the front in the old days had the health, the muscle, the high spirits for all that kind of work. God has not forgotten you.
3. What comfort this in for the aged! What have you got to do? Only to wait. Your reward will come. There is great consolation in this for all the aged ministers. I know some of them are preaching the Gospel. A man cannot preach the Gospel for fifty years without showing it in an illuminated countenance. Oh! there has got to be a readjustment of coronets; people who have no coronet in this world to be crowned; people who have great honours in this world to lose their coronet. Oh, there has got, to be a redistribution of coronets! Shall not the child have a crown? the father a crown? the mother a crown? And all ye who are doing unappreciated work the day of your reward is coming. (T. De Witt Talmage, D. D.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
They went forth to meet David, to congratulate the victory; which, it is probable, David had sent a messenger to acquaint them with.
He saluted them; he spoke kindly to them, and did not blame them because they went no further with them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. David came to the two hundredmen, which were so faint that they could not followThisunexpected accession of spoil was nearly proving an occasion ofquarrel through the selfish cupidity of some of his followers, andserious consequences might have ensued had they not been prevented bythe prudence of the leader, who enacted it as a standingordinancethe equitable rulethat all the soldiers should sharealike (see Nu 31:11; see on Nu31:25).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And David came to the two hundred men,…. Left at the brook Besor:
who were so faint that they could not follow David; or, as the Targum, were restrained from going over after him; either through faintness of spirits, and weakness of body, or through the order of David that they should not follow him; and which seems to receive some countenance from what follows:
whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor; to guard the passage there, and to tarry by and keep the stuff:
and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that [were] with him; to congratulate them upon the victory they had obtained, and to see and receive their wives and children, and what portion of the spoil might be divided to them:
and when David came near to the people, he saluted them; asked them of their welfare, whether they were in better health, and recovered of their faintness and weakness, as it should seem they were, by their coming forth to meet him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When David came back to the two hundred men whom he had left by the brook Besor ( , they made them sit, remain), they went to meet him and his warriors, and were heartily greeted by David.
1Sa 30:22 Then all kinds of evil and worthless men of those who had gone with David to the battle replied: “ Because they have not gone with us ( lit. with me, the person speaking), we will not give them any of the booty that we have seized, except to every one his wife and his children: they may lead them away, and go.”
1Sa 30:23-24 David opposed this selfish and envious proposal, saying, “ Do not so, my brethren, with that ( , the sign of the accusative, not the preposition; see Ewald, 329, a.: lit. with regard to that) which Jehovah hath done to us, and He hath guarded us (since He hath guarded us), and given this troop which came upon us into our hand. And who will hearken to you in this matter? But ( , according to the negation involved in the question) as the portion of him that went into the battle, so be the portion of him that stayed by the things; they shall share together.” is a copyist’s error for .
1Sa 30:25 So was it from that day and forward; and he (David) made it (this regulation as to the booty) “ the law and right for Israel unto this day.”
1Sa 30:26-29 When David returned to Ziklag, he sent portions of the booty to the elders of Judah, to his friends, with this message: “ Behold, here ye have a blessing of the booty of the enemies of Jehovah ” (which we took from the enemies of Jehovah); and this he did, according to 1Sa 30:31, to all the places in which he had wandered with his men, i.e., where he had wandered about during his flight from Saul, and in which he had no doubt received assistance. Sending these gifts could not fail to make the elders of these cities well disposed towards him, and so to facilitate his recognition as king after the death of Saul, which occurred immediately afterwards. Some of these places may have been plundered by the Amalekites, since they had invaded the Negeb of Judah (1Sa 30:14). The cities referred to were Bethel, – not the Bethel so often mentioned, the present Beitin, in the tribe of Benjamin, but Betheul (1Ch 4:30) or Bethul, in the tribe of Simeon (Jos 19:4), which Knobel supposes to be Elusa or el Khalasa (see at Jos 15:30). The reading in the lxx is a worthless conjecture. Ramah of the south, which was allotted to the tribe of Simeon, has not yet been discovered (see at Jos 19:8). Jattir has been preserved in the ruins of Attir, on the southern portion of the Mountains of Judah (see at Jos 15:48). Aror is still to be seen in ruins, viz., in the foundations of walls built in enormous stones in Wady Arara, where there are many cavities for holding water, about three hours E.S.E. of Bersaba, and twenty miles to the south of Hebron (vid., Rob. Pal. ii. p. 620, and v. de Velde, Mem. p. 288). Siphmoth (or Shiphmoth, according to several MSS) is altogether unknown. It may probably be referred to again in 1Ch 27:27, where Zabdi is called the Shiphmite; but it is certainly not to be identified with Sepham, on the north-east of the sea of Galilee (Num 34:10-11), as Thenius supposes. Eshtemoa has been preserved in the village of Semua, with ancient ruins, on the south-western portion of the mountains of Judah (see at Jos 15:50). Racal is never mentioned again, and is entirely unknown. The lxx have five different names instead of this, the last being Carmel, into which Thenius proposes to alter Racal. But this can hardly be done with propriety, as the lxx also introduced the Philistian Gath, which certainly does not belong here; whilst in 1Sa 30:30 they have totally different names, some of which are decidedly wrong. The cities of the Jerahmeelites and Kenites were situated in the Negeb of Judah ( 1Sa 27:10), but their names cannot be traced.
1Sa 30:30-31 Hormah in the Negeb (Jos 15:30) is Zephath, the present Zepta, on the western slope of the Rakhma plateau (see at Jos 12:14). Cor-ashan, probably the same place as Ashan in the shephelah, upon the border of the Negeb, has not yet been discovered (see at Jos 15:42). Athach is only mentioned here, and quite unknown. According to Thenius, it is probably a mistaken spelling for Ether in the tribe of Simeon ( Jos 19:7; Jos 15:43). Hebron, the present el Khulil, Abraham’s city (see at Jos 10:3; Gen 23:17).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| David’s Division of the Spoil. | B. C. 1055. |
21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. 22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. 23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. 24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. 25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day. 26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD; 27 To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir, 28 And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, 29 And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites, 30 And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach, 31 And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
We have here an account of the distribution of the spoil which as taken from the Amalekites. When the Amalekites had carried away a rich booty from the land of Judah and the Philistines they spent it in sensuality, in eating, and drinking, and making merry with it; but David disposed of the spoil taken after another manner, as one that knew that justice and charity must govern us in the use we make of whatever we have in this world. What God gives us he designs we should do good with, not serve our lusts with. In the distribution of the spoil,
I. David was just and kind to those who abode by the stuff. They came forth to meet the conquerors, and to congratulate them on this success, though they could not contribute to it (v. 21); for we should rejoice in a good work done, though Providence had laid us aside and rendered us incapable of lending a hand to it. David received their address very kindly, and was so far from upbraiding them with their weakness that he showed himself solicitous concerning them. He saluted them; he asked them of peace (so the word is), enquired how they did, because he had left them faint and not well; or wished them peace, bade them be of good cheer, they should lose nothing by staying behind; for of this they seemed afraid, as perhaps David saw by their countenances.
1. There were those that opposed their coming in to share in the spoil; some of David’s soldiers, probably the same that spoke of stoning him, spoke now of defrauding their brethren; they are called wicked men and men of Belial, v. 22. Let not the best of men think it strange if they have those attending them that are very bad and they cannot prevail to make them better. We may suppose that David had instructed his soldiers, and prayed with them, and yet there were many among them that were wicked men and men of Belial, often terrified with the apprehensions of death and yet wicked men still and men of Belial. These made a motion that the 200 men who abode by the stuff should only have their wives and children given them, but none of their goods. Well might they be called wicked men; for this bespeaks them, (1.) Very covetous themselves and greedy of gain; for hereby the more would fall to their share. Awhile ago they would gladly have given half their own to recover the other half, yet now that they have all their own they are not content unless they can have their brethren’s too; so soon do men forget their low estate. All seek their own, and too often more than their own. (2.) Very barbarous to their brethren; for, to give them their wives and children, and not their estates, was to give them the mouths without the meat. What joy could they have of their families if they had nothing to maintain them with? Was this to do as they would be done by? Those are men of Belial indeed who delight in putting hardships upon their brethren, and care not who is starved, so they may be fed to the full.
2. David would by no means admit this, but ordered that those who tarried behind should come in for an equal share in the spoils with those that went to the battle, 1Sa 30:23; 1Sa 30:24. This he did, (1.) In gratitude to God. The spoil we have is that which God has given us; we have it from him, and therefore must use it under his direction as good stewards. Let this check us when we are tempted to misapply that which God has entrusted us with of this world’s goods. “Nay, I must not do so with that which God has given me, not serve Satan and a base lust with those things which are not only the creatures of his power, but the gifts of his bounty. God has recompensed us by delivering the company that came against us into our hand, let not us then wrong our brethren. God has been kind to us in preserving us and giving us victory, let not us be unkind to them.” God’s mercy to us should make us merciful to one another. (2.) In justice to them. It was true they tarried behind; but, [1.] It was not for want of good-will to the cause or to their brethren, but because they had not strength to keep up with them. It was not their fault, but their infelicity; and therefore they ought not to suffer for it. [2.] Though they tarried behind now, they had formerly engaged many times in battle and done their part as well as the best of their brethren, and their former services must be considered now that there was something to enjoy. [3.] Even now they did good service, for they abode by the stuff, to guard that which somebody must take care of, else that might have fallen into the hands of some other enemy. Every post of service is not alike a post of honour, yet those that are in any way serviceable to the common interest, though in a meaner station, ought to share in the common advantages, as in the natural body every member has its use and therefore has its share of the nourishment. First, Thus David overruled the wicked men, and men of Belial, with reason, but with a great deal of mildness; for the force of reason is sufficient, without the force of passion. He calls them his brethren, v. 23. Superiors often lose their authority by haughtiness, but seldom by courtesy and condescension. Secondly, Thus he settled the matter for the time to come, made it a statute of his kingdom (a statute of distributions, primo Davidis–in the first year of David’s reign), an ordinance of war (v. 25), that as his part is that goes down to the battle, and hazards his life in the high places of the field, so shall his be that guards the carriages. Abraham returned the spoils of Sodom to the right owners, and quitted his title to them jure belli–derived from the laws of war. If we help others to recover their right, we must not think that this alienates the property and makes it ours. God appointed that the spoil of Midian should be divided between the soldiers and the whole congregation, Num. xxxi. 27. The case here was somewhat different, but governed by the same general rule–that we are members one of another. The disciples, at first, had all things common, and we should still be ready to distribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. vi. 18. When kings of armies did flee apace, she that tarried at home did divide the spoil, Ps. lxviii. 12.
II. David was generous and kind to all his friends. When he had given every one his own with interest there was a considerable overplus, which David, as general, had the disposal of; probably the spoil of the tents of the Amalekites consisted much in plate and jewels (Jdg 8:24; Jdg 8:26), and these, because he thought they would but make his own soldiers proud and effeminate, he thought fit to make presents of to his friends, even the elders of Judah, v. 26. Several places are here named to which he sent of these presents, all of them in or near the tribe of Judah. The first place named is Bethel, which signifies the house of God; that place shall be first served for its name’s sake; or perhaps it means not the city so called, but the place where the ark was, which was therefore the house of God. Thither David sent the first and best, to those that attended there, for his sake who is the first and best. Hebron is named last (v. 31), probably because thither he sent the residuum, which was the largest share, having an eye upon that place as fittest for his head-quarters, 2 Sam. ii. 1. In David’s sending these presents observe, 1. His generosity. He aimed not to enrich himself, but to serve his country; and therefore God afterwards enriched him, and set him to rule the country he had served. It becomes gracious souls to be generous. There is that scatters, and yet increases. 2. His gratitude. He sent presents to all the places where he and his men were wont to haunt (v. 31), that is, to all that he had received kindness from, that had sheltered him and sent him intelligence or provisions. Note, Honesty, as well as honour, obliges us to requite the favours that have been done us, or at least to make a real acknowledgment of them as far as is in the power of our hand. 3. His piety. He calls his present a blessing; for no present we give to our friends will be a comfort to them but as it is made so by the blessing of God: it intimates that his prayers for them accompanied his present. He also sent it out of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord (so he calls them, not his enemies), that they might rejoice in the victory for the Lord’s sake, and might join with him in thanksgivings for it. 4. His policy. He sent these presents among his countrymen to engage them to be ready to appear for him upon his accession to the throne, which he now saw at hand. A man’s gift maketh room for him. He was fit to be a king who thus showed the bounty and liberality of a king. Munificence recommends a man more than magnificence. The Ziphites had none of his presents, nor the men of Keilah; and thus he showed that, though he was such a saint as not to revenge affronts, yet he was not such a fool as not to take notice of them.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
The Spoil Distributed, vs. 21-31
As David and his four hundred triumphant men returned with their recovered families, and goods and with a great amount of spoil in addition, they met the two hundred who had been left at Besor coming to meet them. They had been too exhausted to continue the pursuit and were left guarding the baggage while the others went on to victory. Doubtless they were as anxious for the -welfare of their loved ones as had been the stronger who had persisted, and as soon as sufficiently recovered set out to meet their comrades. David greeted them pleasantly.
There were those in David’s army, in the majority who had borne the brunt of the battle, who held a grudge against these two hundred who had not participated in the fight. They are characterized as wicked and men of Belial. It is to be remembered that many such shady characters as these had been with David from the beginning of his exile (1Sa 22:2). These did not wish to divide the spoil with the two hundred, but only to give them their wives and children and to dismiss them from the company. David, however, would not allow this and sternly rebuked the fault finders.
!n answering the men who did not wish to divide the spoil with the two hundred who remained at Besor David reminded them that it was the Lord who enabled them to win the victory and who had therefore given them the spoil. They had been preserved by a clear act of God, and the majority of all the men would not hearken to such an evil proposal. David decreed that those who tarried by the stuff should share in the spoil in the same measure as did those who went to the battle. From that day it became an established law in Israel that the warriors who fought should share equally of the spoil with those who guarded the stuff.
Back in Ziklag David took portions of the spoil and sent it to cities and towns in areas from which his men had come and where they had found shelter when fleeing form Saul. It is interesting to note that Ziph and Keilah whose inhabitants had informed on David and aided Saul in his pursuit (1Sa 23:9-12, 1Sa 23:19-20: 1Sa 26:1) were not included in those which received presents. Of the thirteen cities, towns, and areas mentioned, most are in the southern parts of the tribes of Judah and Simeon. Some of them are very little known, or are known by somewhat different names usually. Thus Bethel is Bethu.l (Jos 19:4), Chorashan is probably the same as Ashan (Jos 19:7). Hebron was the chief city of Judah, was allotted to Caleb (Jos 14:13-15), and became a Levite city of refuge (Jos 21:13). Jattir and Eshtemoa were also Levite cities in Judah (Jos 21:14).
Lessons to be learned from chapter 30: 1) Chastisement will fall on those who veer from the path of Christian conduct; 2) in such situations it is always right to repent and seek the Lord’s will; 3) the Lord is ever ready to bless those who will rely on Him for help; 4) we should not falter in our battle because some cannot go on; 5) the eventual victory is for those who persist to the end; 6) one must not take credit for the victory, but give God the honor for making it possible; 7) those who must “tarry by the stuff” will share in the blessing of those won to the Lord on far fields.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Davids Goodwill Toward Judah. 1Sa. 30:21-31
21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them aught of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart,
23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord;
27 To them which were in Beth-el, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,
28 And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,
29 And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
30 And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach,
31 And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
13.
What military law was based on these events? 1Sa. 30:22-25
Two hundred men had been too worn out by the events of the return from Aphek and all that transpired to cross over the Brook Besor as the men of David pursued the Amalekites. As a result, they had stayed behind with some of the equipment. When the victorious men returned, they met these two hundred men; and the baser of their number were of a mind to refuse to divide the spoil with the two hundred. All that was to be given to these men were their wives and children. David immediately vetoed the proposition. His language is contained in this couplet:
As the portion of the one who goes down into battle, So is the portion of the one who remains with the baggage.
To this he added these words: They shall all share alike. Davids decision in the matter became a precedent for what was done in Israel from that time forward.
14.
To who did David send presents of the spoil? 1Sa. 30:26-31
David used the booty at his disposal to win the hearts of the men of Judah. He sent portions to the elders of Judah, to his friends, and to his kinsmen with the note that the spoil was taken for a blessing for them from the possessions of the enemies of Jehovah. The listing of the cities indicates that they were all in the South of the land. In these cities and among these people David had wandered when he was a fugitive from the wrath of Saul. Many of them had no doubt rendered valuable assistance to David and his party. Sending these gifts could not fail to make the elders of these cities well disposed towards David; and so to facilitate his recognition as king after the death of Saul, David acted wisely. Moreover, some of these places may have been invaded and plundered by the Amalekites, since they had pillaged the Negeb of Judah.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
David Declares That All Must Share The Credit For The Victory, Both Those Who Fought And Those Who Guarded The Baggage, because The Victory Was YHWH’s ( 1Sa 30:21-31 ).
David’s concern for all his men is brought out by his treatment of the exhausted men whom he had left to guard the baggage at the Wadi Besor. He insisted that because all that had been won had been given to them by YHWH, all should be divided equally among all who had come on the expedition, both to those who had fought, and to those who had guarded their baggage and had thus ensured that they could move on swiftly and have somewhere to which they could turn if they ran out of supplies, or anything went wrong.
He then also proceeded to return to neighbouring friendly tribes and clans, something of what had been stolen from them, as a gesture of friendship and gratitude in return for the friendship that they had shown to him and his men when they had been hiding among them.
This last fact emphasises the huge amount of spoil that had been recovered. And it further indicates the large number of Amalekites who must have taken part in the raiding trips, almost certainly the result of the gathering together of a number of sub-tribes of Amalekites in a confederation, partly gathered in order to gain revenge on David because he had attacked and slaughtered their ‘brothers’, and also in order to take maximum advantage of the fact that Israelite and Philistine forces had been elsewhere.. This had been no ordinary raid by one tribe, as the fact that they had been able to take a fortified city like Ziklag demonstrated.
Analysis.
a
b Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those who went with David, and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them anything of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart (1Sa 30:22).
c Then David said , “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what YHWH has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the band that came against us into our hand” (1Sa 30:23).
b “And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarries by the baggage. They will share alike.” And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day (1Sa 30:24-25).
a And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, “Look, a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of YHWH.” To those who were in Beth-el, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negeb, and to those who were in Jattir, and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who that were in Bor-ashan, and to those who were in Athach, and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt (1Sa 30:26-31).
Note that in ‘a’ David saluted those who were his fellow-comrades and who guarded the baggage, and in the parallel he greeted the elders of Judah who were his friends and who had shown him and his men friendship in their time of need. In ‘b’ the base among the four hundred sought to hold all the spoils for themselves, because the others had not fought but had merely watched the baggage, and in the parallel David forbids it and lays down the rule the at the spoil will always be divided between all, both those who fought and those who watched over the baggage. Centrally in ‘c’ he emphasises that all the credit must go to YHWH,. and that therefore all is a gift from Him.
1Sa 30:21
‘ And David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor, and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him, and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.’
Returning triumphantly with their spoils David and his four hundred came back to the two hundred who had had to take time to rest and recover, the ones whom they had left at the Wadi Besor to watch over the baggage that they had stripped themselves of so that they could advance all the faster. And the two hundred, now fully recovered, came forward to meet and greet their comrades, and were themselves saluted by David. He knew that they had done all that they could, and did not want them to feel at all dishonoured. It was the act of a true leader.
The true man of God never despises those who do what they can, but are unable to reach the standard of others. He knows that very often they are the people whom God uses in His own way.
1Sa 30:22
‘ Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those who went with David, and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them anything of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart.” ’
But not all were as kind as David. There were some among the four hundred who, while doughty fighters, were lacking in compassion and human feeling. And these came to David and suggested that none of the spoil be given to the two hundred, apart from the returning to them of their wives and children. These should be given to them and then they should depart empty handed, made aware of their shame. They wanted all the spoil for themselves.
1Sa 30:23
‘ Then David said , “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what YHWH has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the band that came against us into our hand.” ’
But David would have none of it. He pointed out that the spoil had been given to them by YHWH. It was YHWH who had preserved them and delivered the marauding band who had come against them into their hand. It was YHWH who had brought them back to Ziklag in time to be able to rectify matters. It was YHWH Who had sent them forth with the guarantee of victory. It was YHWH Who had arranged for them to find an Egyptian in the desert who could lead them to the marauders. It was YHWH who had arranged for the marauders to remain at the oasis in order to celebrate, and had got them into such a condition that they were in no condition to fight. All had been of YHWH.
1Sa 30:24
“ And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarries by the baggage. They will share alike.” ’
Then he asked them whom they thought would support them in their suggestion. He was confident that most of his men would agree that all who had taken part in the expedition should receive a fair share of the spoils. Indeed all had been necessary. They could never have left the excess baggage behind, knowing that it would be there when they came back, had it not been for those who were left to watch over it. So all were to share alike.
1Sa 30:25
‘ And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.’
And that was the ordinance and statute that he established in Israel from that day forward, and was true ‘to this day’. That those who fought, and those who watched the baggage, would all share equally.
1Sa 30:26
‘ And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, “Look, a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of YHWH,” ’
In his victory David did not forget those who had been friends to them in their greatest time of need, the elders of Judah in the Negeb towns. Much of the spoil had been stolen from them, and so once they had reached Ziklag, he returned it to them in an act of reciprocal friendship, indicating that it was a present to them from YHWH, and from the spoils that YHWH had taken from his adversaries (who were His enemies because they were the enemies of His people).
1Sa 30:27-31
‘ To those who were in Beth-el, and to those who were in Ramoth of the Negeb, and to those who were in Jattir, and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa, and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who that were in Bor-ashan, and to those who were in Athach, and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.’
There then follows a list of all the places which benefited, and their very number indicates the amount of spoil recovered (and therefore the size of the band of plunderers that they had defeated). Here we learn that all these peoples had welcomed David and his men when they had been fleeing from Saul. They were the places which David and his men ‘had been wont to haunt’, i.e. had been in the habit of sheltering near. Not all had been like the Ziphites.
The names are all of towns and cities in the Negeb, or in the mountains of Judah. ‘Bethel’ was also known as Bethuel or Bethul, and was in the neighbourhood of Ziklag and Hormah, being shared by Judah and Simeon (Jos 15:30; 1Ch 4:30). For Ramoth of the Negeb compare Jos 19:8. It was possibly the home of Shimei the Ramathite, overseer of David’s vineyards (1Ch 27:27). Jattir was a priestly city on the south-west escarpment of the mountains of Judah (Jos 15:48; Jos 19:4), possibly the home of Ira and Gareb the Ithrites (2Sa 23:38). Aroer (not the one near the Arnon) is probably still commemorated by the Wadi Ararah, being some miles south-east of Beersheba. Shama and Jehiel, the sons of Hothan the Aroerite, are mentioned among David’s mighty men (1Ch 11:44). Siphmoth is unknown, but may connect with Zabdi the Shiphmite, steward of David’s wine cellars (1Ch 27:27). Eshtemoa was a priestly city (Jos 15:50; Jos 21:14), some miles south-south-west of Hebron. Racal is unknown. The Jerahmeelites (see 1Ch 2:9; 1Ch 2:25) and Kenites (see Jdg 1:16) were semi-independent peoples linked with Judah. Hormah (which means ‘put under the Ban, devoted’; compare Num 21:2-3) was a former Canaanite city in the Negeb assigned to Judah and Simeon (Jos 15:30; Jos 19:4). Borashan means ‘cystern of Ashan’ (compare Jos 15:42; Jos 19:7) and was in the Negeb. Athach is unidentified. Hebron was a very ancient city (Num 13:22), known to Abraham and later captured by Caleb (Jos 14:13-15). It was the major city in the mountains of Judah, and would later become David’s first capital.
There is much discussion as to David’s motives in this distribution of spoil, but there is no real reason for doubting that it mainly arose from gratitude to those who had treated him and his men well in the past. That he also did it as a prospective king of Israel, a position that had been promised to him a number of times in the past, we need not doubt, for he had the heart of a king, but it is only said to be to those who had welcomed him and his men in the past. It should also be remembered that he had refused to kill Saul and claim the kingship, even when he knew that he had the support of Jonathan, and that even his later approach to Hebron was only made after consulting YHWH. Thus while he was certainly a man aware of his destiny, he was also one who was prepared for YHWH to bring it about when he willed. He was not just a cynical politician or a power-seeker. He was a man who was aware that YHWH had His hand upon him, and he acted accordingly.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Distribution of the Spoil
v. 21. And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor, v. 22. Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, v. 23. Then said David, v. 24. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? v. 25. it was so from that day forward, that he, v. 26. And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil, v. 27. to them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in South Ramoth, v. 28. and to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, v. 29. and to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites,
v. 30. and to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach, v. 31. and to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
(21) And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. (22) Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. (23) Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. (24) For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. (25) And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
I would have the Reader remark with me on this passage, that David’s army, though but small, yet had wicked men in the party. It was so from the beginning, and will be so during the continuance of the world. Noah had an H am in the ark, and the Lord Jesus a Judas among his disciples. The Lord hath shown us that there will be tares among the wheat, and both must grow together until the harvest. Lord, keep thy church, and watch over it continually. Lord keep my heart, and suffer not corruptions to break out. The equity of David’s conduct in the division of the spoil, and the ordinance framed upon this principle, may serve to teach us, that in the church of Jesus, as all the gifts and usefulness of his people are from the Lord; all are equally the objects of his love, and come in for a suitable proportion of his favour, the Holy Ghost giveth to every man severally as he will. 1Co 12:11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 30:21 And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that [were] with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
Ver. 21. That they could not follow David. ] Could not, or would not. See Trapp on “ 1Sa 30:10 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
he saluted them. Septuagint reads “they inquired of his welfare”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
two hundred men: 1Sa 30:10
came near: Heb 13:1, 1Pe 3:8
saluted them: Heb. asked them how they did, Jdg 8:15
Reciprocal: Num 31:13 – went forth 1Sa 25:13 – two hundred
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 30:21-22. He saluted them He spoke kindly to them, and did not blame them because they went no further with them. We will not give them aught of the spoil This was the resolution of such as feared not God, nor regarded man; and it was as ungenerous and unjust as it was unkind; for their brethren had stayed behind, not from choice, but from mere necessity, being unable to travel further.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Sharing spoil with David’s followers 30:21-25
The rest of the chapter describes the distribution of plunder from this battle. The amount of space the writer devoted to this revelation shows that he intended to stress it.
David returned to his 200 exhausted followers at the Besor Brook and greeted them (cf. 1Sa 17:22; 1Sa 25:5-6). David was a greeter who saw the importance of initiating friendly contact with others. The New Testament frequently exhorts believers to greet one another. Some of the soldiers who had participated in combat with the Amalekites did not want to share the booty with those who had guarded the baggage (cf. 1Sa 30:24). Saul had had his critics too (cf. 1Sa 10:27). David, however, took a different view of things. He saw that God had given them this victory; the spoil was not essentially what the combat soldiers had won but what the Lord had given His people, along with protection (cf. 1Co 3:8; Mat 20:12-15). Yahweh was the real deliverer of Israel (cf. 1Sa 17:46-47). Again, this illustrates David’s perception of God’s relation to Israel and to himself, which was so different from Saul’s view. His generous policy of dividing the spoils of war so the non-combatants would receive a portion (1Sa 30:24-31) was in harmony with the Mosaic Law (Num 31:27). This policy further prepared the way for the Judahites’ acceptance of David as Saul’s successor.