21. David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to go with him and had stayed in the Besor Valley. They came to meet David and the people with him. As David approached the men, he greeted them.
22. Then every wicked and worthless man who had gone with David said, “Since they didn’t go with us, they shouldn’t be given any of the loot we recovered. Each of them should take only his wife and children and leave.”
23. 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.
24. Besides, who is going to pay attention to what you have to say in this matter? Certainly, the share of those who go into battle must be like the share of those who stay with the supplies. They will all share alike.”
25. From that time on he made this a rule and a custom in Israel as it is to this day.
26. When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the loot to his friends, the leaders of Judah. He said, “Here is a gift for you from the loot ⌊taken from⌋ the Lord’s enemies.”
27. There were shares for those in Bethel, Ramoth in the Negev, Jattir,
28. Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa,
29. Racal, the cities belonging to the Jerahmeelites, the cities belonging to the Kenites,
30. Hormah, Borashan, Athach,
31. Hebron, and to all the places David and his men visited from time to time.