1 Samuel 30:24

24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”

1 Samuel 30:24 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike."
New Living Translation (NLT)
24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
24 Who would ever listen to this kind of talk? The share of the one who stays with the gear is the share of the one who fights - equal shares. Share and share alike!"
American Standard Version (ASV)
24 And who will hearken unto you in this matter? for as his share is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his share be that tarrieth by the baggage: they shall share alike.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
24 Besides, who is going to pay attention to what you have to say in this matter? Certainly, the share of those who go into battle must be like the share of those who stay with the supplies. They will all share alike."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
24 Who can agree to your proposal? The share of the one who goes into battle is to be the same as the share of the one who remains with the supplies. They will share equally."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
24 So no one will pay any attention to what you are saying. Each man who stayed with the supplies will receive the same share as each man who went down to the battle. Everyone's share will be the same."

1 Samuel 30:24 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 30:24

For who will hearken unto you in fit is matter?
No wise and just man will take on your side of the question, and join with you in excluding your brethren from a share in the spoil:

but as his part [is] that goeth down to the battle, so [shall] his part
[be] that tarrieth by the stuff;
as these two hundred men did; they were placed to abide by and watch the carriages, the bag and baggage the rest had left there, that they might be the lighter, and make their pursuit more swiftly: besides, they guarded the pass here, and were also exposed to danger; for if the four hundred had been cut off, and the enemy had returned, they must all have perished; and therefore as they had their post assigned them, and were liable to danger, it was but just and reasonable they should have the share in the spoil; especially since it was not want of will in them they did not go with them, but weakness of body:

they shall part alike;
this was David's determination and decision, and it was an equitable one: something similar to this was directed by the Lord in the war of Midian, ( Numbers 31:25 ) and was practised in the times of Abraham, ( Genesis 14:24 ) ; and is agreeable to the light of nature, and what has been practised by the Heathens, particularly the Romans, as Polybius F21 relates; who tells us, that every man brought booty into the camp, when the tribunes divided it equally to them all; not only to those which remained in battle, but to those that guarded the tents and the baggage, to the sick, and to those that were appointed to any service, see ( Psalms 68:12 ) ; and so the Turkish historian says F23, that the Pisidians, who lived on spoil, gave a part not contemptible to those that abode at home with their wives.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 Hist. l. 10. p. 365.
F23 Chalcocondyl. de reb. Turc. l. 5. p. 161.

1 Samuel 30:24 In-Context

22 But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”
23 David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.
24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”
25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.
26 When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Numbers 31:27; Joshua 22:8; S Judges 5:30
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