1 Samuel 30:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
מָאתַ֨יִם
to the two hundred
H3967
מָאתַ֨יִם
to the two hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
4 of 27
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים
H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֜ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 27
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִלֶּ֣כֶת׀
H1980
מִלֶּ֣כֶת׀
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 27
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיֹּֽשִׁיבֻם֙
whom they had made also to abide
H3427
וַיֹּֽשִׁיבֻם֙
whom they had made also to abide
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּנַ֣חַל
at the brook
H5158
בְּנַ֣חַל
at the brook
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
12 of 27
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
and they went forth
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙
and they went forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 27
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְלִקְרַ֖את
and to meet
H7125
וְלִקְרַ֖את
and to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
15 of 27
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
וְלִקְרַ֖את
and to meet
H7125
וְלִקְרַ֖את
and to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
17 of 27
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
הָעָ֔ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֑וֹ
H854
אִתּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ
came near
H5066
וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ
came near
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
21 of 27
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֔ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
24 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Hebrews 13:1Let brotherly love continue.1 Samuel 30:10But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.Judges 8:15And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
Historical Context
The formal greeting of peace (shalom) was standard social protocol but significant here given the tension that would emerge over spoil distribution. David's initiative in greeting the exhausted men set a tone of inclusion.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you greet those who could not participate in success?
- What does prioritizing relationships over rewards reveal about leadership character?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
David's return to the two hundred who stayed at Besor receives initial hostility from a portion of his forces. Yet David 'saluted them' (Hebrew: 'wayyish'al lahem leshalom'), asking about their welfare with genuine concern. His greeting precedes any discussion of spoil distribution, establishing that relationships matter more than material concerns. David's character shows in how he treats those who could not complete the mission.