1 Samuel 30:23-31

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 to you in this matter? but as his part [is] that goeth down to the battle, so [shall] his part [be] that tarrieth by the goods: they shall part alike.

25 And it was [so] from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, [even] to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you, of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

27 To [them] who [were] in Beth-el, and to [them] who [were] in south Ramoth, and to [them] who [were] in Jattir,

28 And to [them] who [were] in Aroer, and to [them] who [were] in Siphmoth, and to [them] who [were] in Eshtemoa,

29 And to [them] who [were] in Rachal, and to [them] who [were] in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to [them] who [were] in the cities of the Kenites,

30 And to [them] who [were] in Hormah, and to [them] who [were] in Chor-ashan, and to [them] who [were] in Athach,

31 And to [them] who [were] in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to resort.

1 Samuel 30:23-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 30

This chapter relates the condition Ziklag was in when David and his men came to it, the city burnt, and their families carried captive by the Amalekites, which occasioned not only a general lamentation, but mutiny and murmuring in David's men, 1Sa 30:1-6; the inquiry David made of the Lord what he should do, who is bid to pursue the enemy; and being directed by a lad where they were, fell upon them, and routed them, and brought back the captives with a great spoil, 1Sa 30:7-20; the distribution of the spoil, both to those that went with him, and to those who through faintness were left behind, 1Sa 30:21-25; and the presents of it he sent to several places in the tribe of Judah, who had been kind to him when he dwelt among them, 1Sa 30:26-31.