King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:21 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:21 in the King James Version says “And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. saluted: or, asked them how they did

1 Samuel 30:21 · KJV


Context

19

And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.

20

And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.

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. saluted: or, asked them how they did

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. those: Heb. men

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's return to the two hundred who stayed at Besor receives initial hostility from a portion of his forces. Yet David 'saluted them' (Hebrew: 'wayyish'al lahem leshalom'), asking about their welfare with genuine concern. His greeting precedes any discussion of spoil distribution, establishing that relationships matter more than material concerns. David's character shows in how he treats those who could not complete the mission.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The formal greeting of peace (shalom) was standard social protocol but significant here given the tension that would emerge over spoil distribution. David's initiative in greeting the exhausted men set a tone of inclusion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you greet those who could not participate in success?
  2. What does prioritizing relationships over rewards reveal about leadership character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיָּבֹ֣א1 of 27

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דָּוִד֙2 of 27

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָאתַ֨יִם4 of 27

to the two hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים5 of 27
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶֽׁר6 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פִּגְּר֣וּ׀7 of 27

which were so faint

H6296

to relax, i.e., become exhausted

מִלֶּ֣כֶת׀8 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י9 of 27
H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

דָּוִד֙10 of 27

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֹּֽשִׁיבֻם֙11 of 27

whom they had made also to abide

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּנַ֣חַל12 of 27

at the brook

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

הַבְּשׂ֔וֹר13 of 27

Besor

H1308

besor, a stream of palestine

וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙14 of 27

and they went forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְלִקְרַ֖את15 of 27

and to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

דָּוִד֙16 of 27

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְלִקְרַ֖את17 of 27

and to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

הָעָ֔ם18 of 27

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר19 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּ֑וֹ20 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ21 of 27

came near

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

דָּוִד֙22 of 27

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת23 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָ֔ם24 of 27

the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיִּשְׁאַ֥ל25 of 27

he saluted

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

לָהֶ֖ם26 of 27
H0
לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃27 of 27
H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 30:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 30:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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