Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 30:22

"Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them aught of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart." — 1 Samuel 30:22 (ASV)

Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial. —The scene related here chronicles an act of greed and of heartless covetousness—an act that has been repeated many times in the world’s history. The wise compiler of the book chose it as part of the memoirs of David, which were to be preserved in the sacred volume, because it was another authoritative declaration by the beloved king regarding a question that would arise repeatedly at the conclusion of a campaign. The chronicler was justified in his selection, for this famous decision of David continued in force until the time of the Maccabees (see 2 Maccabees 8:28-30). A somewhat similar law was enacted by Moses .

The dispute arose thus: The victorious troop with their enormous booty quickly returned to the brook Besor, where the 200 who had broken down on the rapid march had been left to guard the baggage. David greeted them with all kindly courtesy, but the harmony that prevailed in the little camp was speedily broken owing to the highhanded claims of the 400 who had actually taken part in the rescue. These refused to share the booty with their comrades who had been left behind, proposing only to restore to them their wives and their own belongings that had been recovered from the Amalekites. David, however, refused to listen to these iniquitous claims and decided that the entire fighting contingent, and those men who had stayed behind and guarded the baggage at the brook Besor, should share alike.