Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 30:22

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.

21 25. The division of the spoil

22. Then answered, &c.] Then answered every wicked man and every worthless man Because they went not with me. Each spoke for himself, in the true spirit of selfishness.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 22. Men of Belial] This is a common expression to denote the sour, the rugged, the severe, the idle, and the profane.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Then answered all the wicked men; when those two hundred men required or expected a part of the spoil; and they gathered from Davids words and carriage that he intended to give it to them.

Wicked men and men of Belial; so he calls them, for their covetousness, and injustice, and churlishness to their brethren; by which expressions we may judge how heinous and odious those sins are in Gods sight.

Because they went not with us; which was from their impotency; not by choice or design. Herein therefore was their iniquity and unreasonableness, they would punish them for no fault.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

Then answered all the wicked men, and [men] of Belial, of those that went with David,…. Who were ill natured men, and of covetous dispositions, as what is called their answer shows; and it seems by that as if the two hundred men had moved that they might have their share in the spoil, or that David had given some intimation that they should:

and said, because they went not with us, we will not give, them [ought] of the spoil that we have recovered: which was very unreasonable not to let them have what was before their own which was recovered; and indeed it was but right they should have their share in the spoil that was taken which was of others, as will appear hereafter: but they were of opinion and were come to a resolution, they should have no more,

save to every man his wife and his children; which was very unkind and ungenerous:

that they may lead [them] away, and depart; but whither? Ziklag was burnt, the land of Israel they would not return unto, where they must fall a sacrifice to Saul; these men cared not where they went, so that they were rid of them, that they might not have any share with them in the spoil.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(22) Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial.The scene here related chronicles an act of greed and of heartless covetousnessan act that has been many times repeated in the worlds history. The wise compiler of the book chose it as part of the memoirs of David, which were to be preserved in the sacred volume, because it was another authoritative declaration on the part of the beloved king respecting a question which would crop up again and again on the conclusion of a campaign. The chronicler was justified in his selection, for this famous decision of David continued in force until the time of the Maccabees. (See 2Ma. 8:28-30.) A somewhat similar law was enacted by Moses. (See Num. 31:27.) The dispute arose thus: The victorious troop with their enormous booty quickly re turned to the brook Besor, where the 200 that had broken down on the rapid march had been left to guard the baggage. David salutes these with all kindly courtesy; but the harmony which prevailed in the little camp is speedily broken owing to the highhanded claims of the 400 who had actually taken part in the rescue. These refused to share the booty with their comrades who had been left behind, only proposing just to restore to them their wives and those things of their own which had been recovered from the Amalekites. David, however, refused to listen to these iniquitous claims, and decided that all the fighting part of the force, and those men who had stayed behind and guarded the baggage at the brook Besor, should share alike.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

22. All the wicked men Envious, avaricious, selfish persons, who wished to appropriate all the booty among themselves.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1Sa 30:22 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.

Ver. 22. Of those that went with David. ] As good as he was, he had bad men and Belialists in his retinue: although he had done his part by them to make them better. Psa 34:11 ; Psa 34:1 , with title

Because they went not with us. ] But did they not as good service in staying behind, and guarding the carriages? which if it had not been done, you would have fought but faintly.

We will not give them aught. ] A man had as good deal with a cannibal, as with a truly covetous captive.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

children = sons.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

wicked: 1Sa 22:2, 1Sa 25:17, 1Sa 25:25, Deu 13:13, Jdg 19:22, 1Ki 21:10, 1Ki 21:13

those: Heb. the men

Because: Mat 7:12

Reciprocal: Num 17:10 – rebels Jdg 11:3 – vain men Jdg 20:13 – children of Belial 2Sa 20:1 – a man Isa 33:23 – the lame

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

30:22 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 {l} wife and his children, that they may lead [them] away, and depart.

(l) Under these are understood the cattle and goods, which belonged to every man.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes