1 Samuel 30:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֜עַן
Then answered
H6030
וַיַּ֜עַן
Then answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 31
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֤ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 31
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)
וּבְלִיַּ֗עַל
and men of Belial
H1100
וּבְלִיַּ֗עַל
and men of Belial
Strong's:
H1100
Word #:
5 of 31
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
מֵהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֮
of those
H582
מֵהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֮
of those
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
6 of 31
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃
Because they went
H1980
וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃
Because they went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 31
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יַ֚עַן
H3282
יַ֚עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
12 of 31
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃
Because they went
H1980
וְיֵלֵֽכוּ׃
Because they went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 31
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עִמִּ֔י
H5973
עִמִּ֔י
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
16 of 31
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִתֵּ֣ן
not with us we will not give
H5414
נִתֵּ֣ן
not with us we will not give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 31
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִצַּ֑לְנוּ
that we have recovered
H5337
הִצַּ֑לְנוּ
that we have recovered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
22 of 31
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
24 of 31
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אִ֤ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
25 of 31
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)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
28 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֔יו
and his children
H1121
בָּנָ֔יו
and his children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
29 of 31
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Matthew 7:12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.Deuteronomy 13:13Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
Historical Context
The designation 'sons of Belial' (literally 'worthlessness') appears throughout Scripture for those who reject proper moral standards. These troublemakers existed even among David's followers, requiring his corrective leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you handle divisive voices within your community?
- What principles should govern distribution of rewards when contributions vary?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'wicked men and men of Belial' (Hebrew: 'ish-ra' uveli-ya'al') among David's forces reveal the moral diversity within his band. Their refusal to share spoil with those who stayed behind reflects a meritocratic principle: only those who fought deserve reward. The grudging allowance that each man may take 'his wife and his children' without additional spoil treats the exhausted men as charity cases. This attitude contradicts the unity David's leadership requires.