The Meaning of 1 Samuel 30:27 Explained

1 Samuel 30:27

KJV: To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir,

YLT: to those in Beth-El, and to those in South Ramoth, and to those in Jattir,

Darby: to those in Bethel, and to those in south Ramoth, and to those in Jattir,

ASV: To them that were in Beth-el, and to them that were in Ramoth of the South, and to them that were in Jattir,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

To [them]  which [were] in Bethel,  and to [them] which [were] in south  Ramoth,  and to [them] which [were] in Jattir, 

What does 1 Samuel 30:27 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 30:27 mean?

to [those] who [were] in Bethel and [those] who [were] in the Negev Ramoth in Jattir
לַאֲשֶׁ֧ר בְּבֵֽית־ אֵ֛ל וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּרָמֽוֹת־ נֶ֖גֶב בְּיַתִּֽר

לַאֲשֶׁ֧ר  to  [those]  who  [were] 
Parse: Preposition-l, Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
אֵ֛ל  Bethel 
Parse: Preposition, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֵּית־אֵל  
Sense: ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name).
וְלַאֲשֶׁ֥ר  and  [those]  who  [were] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
נֶ֖גֶב  the  Negev  Ramoth 
Parse: Preposition, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: רָמֹות 
Sense: a place in Judah which received presents from David.
בְּיַתִּֽר  in  Jattir 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: יַתִּיר  
Sense: a town in the mountains of Judah.