1 Samuel 30:25 kjv
And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
1 Samuel 30:25 nkjv
So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
1 Samuel 30:25 niv
David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.
1 Samuel 30:25 esv
And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day.
1 Samuel 30:25 nlt
From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today.
1 Samuel 30 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 31:27 | "divide the spoil...between the combatants who went out to battle..." | Law on war spoils, division principle. |
| Deut 20:14 | "Only the women, the children, the livestock, and everything else in the city..." | Rules of war, includes shared spoils. |
| Deut 24:14 | "You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy..." | Justice for all, fair compensation. |
| Josh 22:8 | "Return to your tents... with much wealth...and divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers." | Shared victory and reward. |
| 1 Sam 30:22 | "Then all the worthless and wicked fellows among the men who went with David said..." | Immediate context, injustice addressed. |
| 2 Sam 8:15 | "So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness to all his people." | David's reign marked by justice. |
| 1 Kgs 3:28 | "All Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king..." | Wisdom in leadership and judgment. |
| Job 29:14 | "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban." | Righteousness personified as a garment. |
| Ps 72:1-2 | "Give the king your justice, O God...May he judge your people with righteousness..." | Prayer for a just king. |
| Ps 99:4 | "The King in His might loves justice; You have established equity..." | God's character and establishment of justice. |
| Prov 16:11 | "A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work." | God cares about just dealings. |
| Prov 28:27 | "Whoever gives to the poor will not want..." | Principle of giving and generosity. |
| Isa 1:17 | "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression..." | Divine command for seeking justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness..." | Summary of God's requirements. |
| Matt 7:12 | "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them..." | The Golden Rule, basis for equity. |
| Luke 3:10-14 | "And the crowds asked him, 'What then shall we do?'... 'Do not exact more than you are appointed to collect'..." | John the Baptist's advice for fair conduct. |
| Acts 2:44-45 | "And all who believed were together and had all things in common... and distributed to all, as any had need." | Early Church practice of sharing. |
| Acts 4:32-35 | "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul... but everything was in common." | Early Church practice of sharing. |
| 1 Cor 9:7 | "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit?" | Worker deserves compensation for service. |
| 2 Cor 8:13-15 | "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need..." | Principle of equality and reciprocal sharing. |
| Gal 6:2 | "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." | Christian solidarity and mutual support. |
| 1 Tim 5:18 | "For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'" | Equitable reward for service. |
1 Samuel 30 verses
1 Samuel 30 25 Meaning
From that specific day forward, David established a fixed rule and a just custom for the nation of Israel. This decree mandated an equitable distribution of spoils, stating that those who guarded the equipment and supplies should receive the same portion as those who went to battle. This rule was meant to ensure fairness and solidarity within the community, preventing division and rewarding every participant in a common effort, regardless of their specific role, and it remained in effect at the time the biblical account was recorded.
1 Samuel 30 25 Context
Chapter 30 of 1 Samuel narrates David's return to Ziklag to find it burned by Amalekites and their families captured. After seeking divine guidance and pursuing the raiding party, David and his men recovered all that was taken. However, 200 of his 600 men, exhausted from the pursuit, were unable to cross the brook Besor and remained behind to guard the supplies. Upon the return of the victorious men with abundant spoils, "worthless and wicked" individuals among David's followers insisted that those who stayed behind should not receive a share of the plunder. David, demonstrating wisdom and righteous leadership, intervened to declare that all who contributed, whether directly fighting or guarding the provisions, should receive an equal portion. Verse 25 formally enshrines this decree as a lasting legal and customary principle for Israel, showing David acting with the authority and wisdom befitting a future king who would establish justice and righteousness for the entire nation.
1 Samuel 30 25 Word analysis
- "And it was so from that day forward":
- This phrase signifies immediate implementation and an enduring effect. It marks the precise moment a new principle was established.
- It indicates a lasting historical consequence, emphasizing the importance and permanence of David's ruling.
- "that he made it":
- "He" refers to David. This highlights David's emerging role as a just and wise leader, acting with authority and discernment even before he fully takes the throne over all Israel.
- This was not a mere suggestion but an authoritative decree, signifying an act of legal institution.
- "a statute" (Hebrew: חֹק, choq):
- Means a prescribed rule, an enactment, an ordinance, or a decree. It often implies something fixed or inscribed, a fundamental law.
- The term choq is frequently used in the Torah for divine laws (e.g., Exod 12:14; Lev 3:17), underscoring the serious, binding, and authoritative nature of David's decision.
- It implies permanence and general application beyond just the immediate context, setting a precedent.
- "and an ordinance" (Hebrew: מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat):
- Means a judgment, justice, a proper way, a custom, or a right. It points to the fairness and ethical rightness of the ruling.
- Often paired with choq, mishpat emphasizes the equitable and just character of the decree, reflecting the standard of justice rooted in God's character (e.g., Deut 4:1; Jer 5:4).
- This denotes a decision made on a matter of legal or customary practice, setting a standard for righteous conduct.
- "for Israel":
- Signifies that this rule was intended to apply not just to David's men, but to the entire nation of Israel, foreshadowing David's role as king.
- This action serves as a foundational example of how justice and unity should be maintained within God's people.
- "to this day":
- This common biblical idiom (e.g., Gen 32:32; Josh 7:26; 2 Kgs 8:22) functions as a narrative note from the author/compiler.
- It implies that the custom or principle established by David continued to be observed and was recognized as valid at the time the Book of Samuel was written or compiled, attesting to its enduring significance.
- It also adds an element of historical validation and reliability to the account.
1 Samuel 30 25 Bonus section
This verse subtly showcases David's adherence to and reflection of Mosaic Law principles concerning justice and the treatment of God's people. While not explicitly stated as a divine command given to David at that moment, David's judgment aligns with the broader themes of equity and community care found throughout the Pentateuch, particularly regarding spoils of war as seen in Numbers 31:27, which similarly stipulates the division of spoil among those who fight and those who are present with the baggage. This continuity between David's judgment and existing Mosaic legislation highlights that true, Spirit-led leadership instinctively aligns with divine standards of righteousness. Furthermore, David's "statute and ordinance" here promotes social cohesion by preventing internal strife, setting a moral tone that anticipates his reign as a king who would "administer justice and righteousness to all his people" (2 Sam 8:15).
1 Samuel 30 25 Commentary
1 Samuel 30:25 captures a pivotal moment in David's life, demonstrating his inherent wisdom and just leadership qualities long before he became king of all Israel. His decree established an enduring principle rooted in fairness and solidarity. It recognized that success in any collective endeavor requires diverse contributions, and that all who participate, whether on the front lines or in supportive roles, equally share in the outcomes and rewards. This equitable distribution was not merely a pragmatic decision to prevent mutiny; it was an act of justice that resonated with God's character and was intended to build unity within the nascent community under David’s command, serving as a legal and ethical precedent for the nation of Israel. It illustrates how true leadership is exercised in upholding righteousness and ensuring the well-being of all members.