King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 30:22 Mean?

1 Samuel 30:22 in the King James Version says “Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 30:22 · KJV


Context

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'wicked men and men of Belial' (Hebrew: 'ish-ra' uveli-ya'al') among David's forces reveal the moral diversity within his band. Their refusal to share spoil with those who stayed behind reflects a meritocratic principle: only those who fought deserve reward. The grudging allowance that each man may take 'his wife and his children' without additional spoil treats the exhausted men as charity cases. This attitude contradicts the unity David's leadership requires.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The designation 'sons of Belial' (literally 'worthlessness') appears throughout Scripture for those who reject proper moral standards. These troublemakers existed even among David's followers, requiring his corrective leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you handle divisive voices within your community?
  2. What principles should govern distribution of rewards when contributions vary?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיַּ֜עַן1 of 31

Then answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

כָּל2 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אִ֤ישׁ3 of 31

men

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)

רָ֣ע4 of 31

all the wicked

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וּבְלִיַּ֗עַל5 of 31

and men of Belial

H1100

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

מֵהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֮6 of 31

of those

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 31
H834

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

וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃8 of 31

Because they went

H1980

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

עִם9 of 31
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

דָּוִד֒10 of 31

with David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיֹּֽאמְר֗וּ11 of 31

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יַ֚עַן12 of 31
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 31
H834

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

לֹֽא14 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃15 of 31

Because they went

H1980

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

עִמִּ֔י16 of 31
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

לֹֽא17 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִתֵּ֣ן18 of 31

not with us we will not give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָהֶ֔ם19 of 31
H0
מֵֽהַשָּׁלָ֖ל20 of 31

them ought of the spoil

H7998

booty

אֲשֶׁ֣ר21 of 31
H834

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

הִצַּ֑לְנוּ22 of 31

that we have recovered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

כִּֽי23 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם24 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִ֤ישׁ25 of 31

men

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)

אֶת26 of 31
H853

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

אִשְׁתּוֹ֙27 of 31

his wife

H802

a woman

וְאֶת28 of 31
H853

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

בָּנָ֔יו29 of 31

and his children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְיִנְהֲג֖וּ30 of 31

that they may lead them away

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃31 of 31

Because they went

H1980

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


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 30:22 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 30:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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