Bible Strands
1 Samuel 30:21
When David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Brook of Besor, they came out to meet him and the troops with him. As David approached the men, he greeted them,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David arrives at the Brook of Besor to meet the two hundred men who were left behind because they could not continue the pursuit. They come out to meet him and his troops as he approaches them.
The words — The Hebrew verb פִּגְּרוּ (pi.geru) literally means "they had been exhausted" or "their strength failed," describing the physical condition that stopped the men from crossing. The text records this physical state before noting David's greeting.
The thread — This gathering of sidelined followers directly follows the exhaustion noted in 1 Samuel 30:10 and precedes the plunder dispute in 1 Samuel 30:22. The encounter also aligns with the New Testament command to maintain brotherly care in Hebrews 13:1.
Why it lands — The verse documents David's approach and greeting to the exhausted men before any decision about the recovered plunder is made. It requires the reader to note that leadership addresses those who failed to keep pace before determining how shared resources will be distributed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Judges 8:15 And Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”
- 1 Samuel 30:10 because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit.
- Hebrews 13:1 Continue in brotherly love.
- 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.