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 [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.

Then answered {H6030} all the wicked {H7451} men {H376} and men of Belial {H1100}, of those {H582} that went {H1980} with David {H1732}, and said {H559}, Because they went {H1980} not with us, we will not give {H5414} them ought of the spoil {H7998} that we have recovered {H5337}, save to every man {H376} his wife {H802} and his children {H1121}, that they may lead them away {H5090}, and depart {H3212}.

But some of the men who had gone with David were evil men, scoundrels; and they said, "They didn't go with us, so we're not giving them any of the property we've recovered. Each man can take his wife and children and leave."

but all the wicked and worthless men among those who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered, except for each man’s wife and children. They may take them and go.”

Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, 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 he may lead them away, and depart.

Commentary

1 Samuel 30:22 captures a moment of tension and dispute following David's successful recovery of all that the Amalekites had stolen from Ziklag. After a grueling pursuit and battle, David and his 400 exhausted men returned with the recovered possessions, only to be met with an uncharitable demand from a faction within their own company.

Context of 1 Samuel 30:22

Prior to this verse, David and his 600 men had suffered a devastating blow: their home at Ziklag was raided and burned by the Amalekites, and their wives and children were taken captive. In deep distress, David sought the Lord's guidance and was assured of success in pursuit. During their chase, 200 of his men were too weary to cross the brook Besor and remained behind to guard the baggage (1 Samuel 30:9-10). The remaining 400, empowered by God, overtook the Amalekites and recovered everything lost, including a great spoil of flocks and herds. Upon their return, these "wicked men" voiced their objection to sharing the bounty with those who had stayed behind.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Selfishness and Exclusion: The verse highlights the natural human tendency towards greed and exclusion, especially when resources are gained through hard effort. These men, described as "wicked" and "of Belial," sought to hoard the recovered spoil for themselves, denying a share to their comrades who, though unable to fight, still contributed by guarding the camp.
  • Justice and Equity: The core of the conflict is about what constitutes fair distribution. David's subsequent response in 1 Samuel 30:24-25 establishes a vital principle: those who guard the supplies are as deserving of a share as those who go to battle. This demonstrates David's wisdom and his commitment to equitable treatment, which would become a lasting ordinance in Israel.
  • Leadership Under Pressure: David's handling of this dispute showcases his emerging qualities as a just and discerning leader. He did not succumb to the demands of the vocal minority but rather upheld a principle of fairness that fostered unity and recognized diverse contributions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "men of Belial" (Hebrew: b'ney beliyya'al) is significant. It literally translates to "sons of worthlessness," "sons of wickedness," or "sons of perdition." This term is not a proper name but a strong descriptor for individuals who are morally depraved, lawless, and utterly vile. It signifies a disposition of rebellion against authority and a lack of moral principle, emphasizing the severe nature of their uncharitable and unjust proposal.

Practical Application

This passage offers timeless lessons for communities and organizations today. It reminds us of the importance of valuing all contributions, even those that may seem less glamorous or direct. Whether in a family, church, or workplace, recognizing and rewarding diverse roles fosters unity and discourages resentment. Wise leadership, like David's, is crucial in navigating internal conflicts, ensuring that principles of justice and inclusion prevail over selfish motives. It encourages us to resist the temptation to marginalize or exclude those who contribute in different capacities, promoting a spirit of generosity and shared blessing.

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 13:13 (3 votes)

    [Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

  • Matthew 7:12 (3 votes)

    Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

  • 1 Kings 21:10 (2 votes)

    And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And [then] carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

  • 1 Kings 21:13 (2 votes)

    And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, [even] against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

  • 1 Samuel 25:17 (2 votes)

    Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he [is such] a son of Belial, that [a man] cannot speak to him.

  • 1 Samuel 25:25 (2 votes)

    Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, [even] Nabal: for as his name [is], so [is] he; Nabal [is] his name, and folly [is] with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.

  • 1 Samuel 22:2 (2 votes)

    And every one [that was] in distress, and every one that [was] in debt, and every one [that was] discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.