The Meaning of 1 Samuel 30:23 Explained

1 Samuel 30:23

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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;

Darby: Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which Jehovah has given us, who has preserved us, and given the troop that came against us into our hand.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 1 Samuel 30:23 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Samuel 30:16-31 - Sharing The Spoil
He that lays hold on God's strength will be courteous in his behavior to the weak and weary, and will not quail before the clamor of men of Belial. Thus we are not surprised to learn that David kindly inquired of the two hundred as to their welfare, 1 Samuel 30:21, r.v. margin, and insisted that they should share equally with those who went to battle. This was a beautiful instance of sanctified common sense, and the reasonableness of the decision appealed to his followers. The gains and losses of the whole band must be shared equally by those at the front and in the rear. This is God's rule! He that receives the prophet shall have the prophet's reward. Girls who stay at home to care for aged mothers, instead of becoming missionaries; young men who maintain orphaned brothers and sisters; invalids confined to their rooms-let such take heart. They shall share in the victory of their Lord. David's thankful joy yielded practical fruit in his generous gifts to those who had showed him kindness in his adversity. Gratitude is the trait of a noble nature. Let us share our possessions with others less favored, and increase our own enjoyment, 2 Corinthians 8:14-15. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in 1 Samuel 30:23 mean?

But said David not you shall do so My brothers with what has given Yahweh us and who has preserved us and delivered - the troop that came against us into our hand
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֔ד לֹֽא־ תַעֲשׂ֥וּ כֵ֖ן אֶחָ֑י אֵ֠ת אֲשֶׁר־ נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֥ה לָ֙נוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁמֹ֣ר אֹתָ֔נוּ וַיִּתֵּ֗ן אֶֽת־ הַגְּד֛וּד הַבָּ֥א עָלֵ֖ינוּ בְּיָדֵֽנוּ

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר  But  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
דָּוִ֔ד  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
תַעֲשׂ֥וּ  you  shall  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
כֵ֖ן  so 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.
אֶחָ֑י  My  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
נָתַ֨ן  has  given 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
לָ֙נוּ֙  us 
Parse: Preposition, first person common plural
וַיִּשְׁמֹ֣ר  and  who  has  preserved 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁמַר  
Sense: to keep, guard, observe, give heed.
אֹתָ֔נוּ  us 
Parse: Direct object marker, first person common plural
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
וַיִּתֵּ֗ן  and  delivered 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֶֽת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הַגְּד֛וּד  the  troop 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גְּדוּד  
Sense: a band, troop, marauding band.
הַבָּ֥א  that  came 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
עָלֵ֖ינוּ  against  us 
Parse: Preposition, first person common plural
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ  into  our  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.