1 Samuel 30:23
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us.

English Standard Version
But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.

Berean Standard Bible
But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us.

King James Bible
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

New King James Version
But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the LORD has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us.

New American Standard Bible
But David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, for He has protected us and handed over to us the band of raiders that came against us.

NASB 1995
Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.

NASB 1977
Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given us, who has kept us and given into our hand the band that came against us.

Amplified Bible
David said, “You must not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has kept us safe and has handed over to us the band [of Amalekites] that came against us.

Christian Standard Bible
But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He protected us and handed over to us the raiders who came against us.

American Standard Version
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

Contemporary English Version
But David said: My friends, don't be so greedy with what the LORD has given us! The LORD protected us and gave us victory over the people who attacked.

English Revised Version
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But David said, "My brothers, don't do that with the things which the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed the troops that attacked us over to us.

Good News Translation
But David answered, "My brothers, you can't do this with what the LORD has given us! He kept us safe and gave us victory over the raiders.

International Standard Version
David said, "No, you won't do this, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He guarded us and gave the raiding party that came against us into our hand.

Majority Standard Bible
But David said, ?My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us.

NET Bible
But David said, "No! You shouldn't do this, my brothers. Look at what the LORD has given us! He has protected us and has delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us.

New Heart English Bible
Then David said, "You shall not do so after what the LORD has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered into our hand the raiding party that came against us.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

World English Bible
Then David said, “Do not do so, my brothers, with that which Yahweh has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says, “You do not do so, my brothers, with that which YHWH has given to us, and He preserves us, and gives the troop which comes against us into our hand;

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith, 'Ye do not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah hath given to us, and He doth preserve us, and doth give the troop which cometh against us into our hand;

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with what Jehovah gave to us, and he will watch us and give the troop coming against us into our hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But David said: You shall not do so, my brethren, with these things, which the Lord hath given us, who hath kept us, and hath delivered the robbers that invaded us into our hands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But David said: “You shall not do this, my brothers, with these things that the Lord has delivered to us, for he has preserved us, and he has given into our hands the robbers who broke out among us.

New American Bible
But David said: “You must not do this, my brothers, after what the LORD has given us. The LORD has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders that came against us.

New Revised Standard Version
But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us; he has preserved us and handed over to us the raiding party that attacked us.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But David said, You shall not do thus, my brethren, with that which the LORD has given us, he who has preserved us and delivered into our hands the raiders that came against us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said: “You will not do so brethren, for LORD JEHOVAH gave to us and he kept us and delivered into our hands the band of robbers that came upon us!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said David: 'Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given unto us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said, Ye shall not do so, after the Lord has delivered the enemy to us, and guarded us, and the Lord has delivered into our hands the troop that came against u.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Spoils are Divided
22but 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.” 23But David said, “My brothers, you must not do this with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiders who came against us. 24Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.”…

Cross References
Numbers 31:27
Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

Joshua 22:8
saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”

Acts 2:44-45
All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

2 Corinthians 8:14-15
At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. This way there will be equality. / As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

Matthew 20:15
Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

2 Kings 7:9
Finally, they said to one another, “We are not doing what is right. Today is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until morning light, our sin will overtake us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king’s household.”

Nehemiah 8:10
Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Timothy 6:17-18
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

1 Chronicles 29:14
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said David, You shall not do so, my brothers, with that which the LORD has given us, who has preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.

my brethren

Genesis 19:7
And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

Judges 19:23
And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly.

Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

which the Lord

1 Samuel 30:8
And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

1 Samuel 2:7
The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

Numbers 31:49-54
And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us…

who hath

Psalm 44:2-7
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out…

Psalm 121:7,8
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul…

Jump to Previous
Band Company David Delivered Hand Handed Hands Kept Preserve Preserved Protected Safe Troop
Jump to Next
Band Company David Delivered Hand Handed Hands Kept Preserve Preserved Protected Safe Troop
1 Samuel 30
1. The Amalekites raid Ziklag
4. David asking counsel, is encouraged by God to pursue them
11. By the means of a received Egyptian he is brought to the enemies,
18. and recovers all the spoil
22. David's law to divide the spoil equally
26. He sends presents to his friends














But David said,
David, as the anointed future king of Israel, often served as a mediator and leader among his people. His words here reflect his role as a wise and just leader, reminiscent of Moses and foreshadowing the ultimate leadership of Christ.

“My brothers,
David addresses his men as "brothers," emphasizing unity and equality among them. This reflects the biblical principle of brotherhood among believers, as seen in the New Testament where Christians are called to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

you must not do this
David is correcting a wrong attitude among his men. This reflects the biblical theme of righteous leadership correcting injustice, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders throughout Scripture.

with what the LORD has given us.
David acknowledges that their victory and spoils are gifts from God, highlighting the biblical principle of divine providence. This mirrors the understanding that all good things come from God, as seen in James 1:17.

He has protected us
David attributes their safety and success to God's protection, a recurring theme in the Psalms and throughout the Bible. This reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and care for His people, as seen in Psalm 121.

and delivered into our hands
The phrase indicates God's active role in granting victory, similar to the deliverance seen in the battles of Joshua and the judges. It underscores the biblical theme of God fighting for His people.

the raiders who came against us.
The raiders, likely Amalekites, were a recurring enemy of Israel. This reflects the ongoing spiritual battle between God's people and their adversaries, a theme that continues into the New Testament with spiritual warfare against sin and evil.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The anointed king of Israel, known for his leadership and reliance on God. In this passage, he demonstrates wisdom and fairness.

2. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is acknowledged as the source of victory and protection.

3. The Raiding Party
Refers to the Amalekites who had attacked Ziklag, taking captives and plundering the city.

4. Ziklag
A Philistine town given to David, which was attacked and plundered by the Amalekites.

5. David's Men
The group of warriors who followed David, some of whom were initially unwilling to share the spoils of victory with those who stayed behind.
Teaching Points
Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
Recognize that victories and blessings come from the LORD. David attributes the success to God, reminding us to give credit to Him for our achievements.

Unity and Fairness
David's decision to share the spoils equally teaches us about the importance of unity and fairness within a community. It encourages us to consider the needs and contributions of all members, not just those on the front lines.

Leadership and Wisdom
David exemplifies wise leadership by making a decision that promotes harmony and sets a precedent for future generations. Leaders today can learn from his example to make decisions that benefit the whole community.

Gratitude and Generosity
By sharing the spoils, David demonstrates gratitude and generosity. We are called to be generous with what God has given us, recognizing that it is not solely for our benefit.

Dependence on God
David's inquiry of the LORD before pursuing the raiders shows his dependence on God for guidance. We are reminded to seek God's direction in our decisions and actions.(23) Ye shall not do so my brethren.--Translate "Do not so my brethren with that which the Lord hath given us," that is, "in respect to that which the Lord," &c. Ewald prefers to render the phrase as an ejaculatory oath, "By that which the Lord," &c. Some commentators here quote a passage from Polybius, where a similar scene is depicted as having taken place after the capture of Nova Carthago, where Publius Scipio decided that the spoil then taken should be divided equally among the troops that had been actually engaged, and the reserves and the sick among the soldiery, and those in the army who had been detached from the main body on special service.

Verse 23, 24. - Ye shall not do so, my brethren. David rejects their unjust proposal kindly, but firmly. With that which. i.e. in respect of that which, etc. Who will hearken unto you in this matter? Literally, "this word," this proposal of yours. David then enacts that those left to guard the baggage are to share in the booty equally with the combatants. Patrick in his commentary quotes a similar rule enacted by Publius Scipio after the capture of New Carthage (Polybius, 10, 15:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“My brothers,
אֶחָ֑י (’e·ḥāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

you must not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

do
תַעֲשׂ֥וּ (ṯa·‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this
כֵ֖ן (ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

with what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has given us.
נָתַ֨ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

He has protected
וַיִּשְׁמֹ֣ר (way·yiš·mōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

us
אֹתָ֔נוּ (’ō·ṯā·nū)
Direct object marker | first person common plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

and delivered
וַיִּתֵּ֗ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into our hands
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ (bə·yā·ḏê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

the raiders
הַגְּד֛וּד (hag·gə·ḏūḏ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1416: A band, troop

who came
הַבָּ֥א (hab·bā)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

against us.
עָלֵ֖ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


Links
1 Samuel 30:23 NIV
1 Samuel 30:23 NLT
1 Samuel 30:23 ESV
1 Samuel 30:23 NASB
1 Samuel 30:23 KJV

1 Samuel 30:23 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 30:23 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 30:23 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 30:23 French Bible
1 Samuel 30:23 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 30:23 Then said David You shall not do (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 30:22
Top of Page
Top of Page