1 Samuel 30:23

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.

Then said {H559} David {H1732}, Ye shall not do so {H6213}, my brethren {H251}, with that which the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} us, who hath preserved {H8104} us, and delivered {H5414} the company {H1416} that came {H935} against us into our hand {H3027}.

Then David said, "No, my brothers, don't do this with the goods ADONAI has given us. He protected us, and he handed the raiding party over to us.

But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us.

Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

Commentary

Context

First Samuel 30:23 comes immediately after David and his men have successfully pursued and recovered all that the Amalekites had plundered from Ziklag, including their wives, children, and possessions. Filled with newfound spoil, a dispute arose among David's weary men. Some of the more aggressive soldiers argued that the 200 men who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor and participate in the direct combat should not share in the spoil. This verse records David's decisive and principled response, laying down a foundational decree for his future kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Sovereignty: David emphatically attributes the victory and the spoil directly to God. He declares, "that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand." This highlights David's deep reliance on God and his understanding that all success comes from the divine hand, not human strength alone.
  • Equitable Distribution and Justice: David's decree establishes a vital principle of fairness. He insists that those who stayed behind to guard the baggage are just as deserving of a share as those who went to battle. This demonstrates his commitment to justice and his wisdom in valuing all contributions to a communal effort, regardless of their nature. This principle later became a statute in Israel (1 Samuel 30:25), reflecting its lasting significance.
  • Unity and Community: By ensuring an equitable share for all, David prevented division and fostered unity among his diverse group of followers. His leadership prioritized the cohesion and well-being of the entire community over the immediate desires of a vocal few.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD hath given us" emphasizes the divine origin of their success. The KJV's "LORD" translates the Hebrew personal name of God, YHWH (Yahweh), underscoring a covenantal relationship and God's active involvement. The idiom "delivered the company that came against us into our hand" is a common biblical expression signifying a decisive victory given by God, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for leadership and community living. It challenges us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Hand: In all our successes and provisions, we should recognize that they are ultimately gifts from the Lord, fostering gratitude and humility.
  • Practice Fairness and Equity: Leaders, in particular, are called to ensure just distribution of resources, credit, and opportunities, valuing all contributions to a collective goal, whether direct or supportive.
  • Promote Unity: Wise decisions that prioritize the well-being of the entire group, even when unpopular with a segment, are crucial for maintaining harmony and preventing discord. This principle can be applied in families, workplaces, and spiritual communities.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 8:18

    But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.

  • Psalms 44:2

    [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

  • Psalms 44:7

    But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

  • Numbers 31:49

    And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which [are] under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us.

  • Numbers 31:54

    And Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold of the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it into the tabernacle of the congregation, [for] a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD.

  • Acts 22:1

    ¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence [which I make] now unto you.

  • 1 Samuel 2:7

    The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
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