Bible Strands
1 Samuel 30:22
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The worthless men among David’s followers address the two hundred exhausted troops left behind at the Brook of Besor. They speak immediately after the Amalekite raid is repelled and the spoils are divided among David’s returning warriors.
The words — The Hebrew כָּל־ רָע (kol ra) renders "all evil," while בְלִיַּעַל (beliyya'al) translates literally to "worthlessness." These designations classify the dissenters who refuse to distribute the recovered plunder.
The thread — The text mirrors the warning in Deuteronomy 13:13 about corrupt factions arising within the community to lead others astray. It stands in direct contrast to Matthew 7:12, which commands uniform treatment of others rather than selective exclusion.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to assess provision based on shared risk rather than resentment. It demands the rejection of partiality when distributing recovered blessings and the refusal to let exclusion dictate community boundaries.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 13:13 that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),
- Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
- Judges 19:22 While they were enjoying themselves, suddenly the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they said to the old man who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house, so we can have relations with him!”
- 1 Samuel 22:2 And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
- 1 Samuel 25:17 Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”
- 1 Samuel 25:25 My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.
- 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”
- 1 Kings 21:13 And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.