After the successive victories of Moslems over their enemies, a great amount of war spoils were obtained, and Moslems became relatively rich.
Some of the prophet's wives asked him for a share of the spoils, alluding to certain materials and goods to be provided for them. Some of the wives asked for various ornaments, yemen's cloth, Egyptian garments, Khaibar's carpet, or even maid-servants.
The prophet knew that such requests had no end and one would call for another! After all, such kinds of demands were not becoming to a wife of the Messenger of God. So the prophet rejected their requests, and as a result of his rejection he was somehow vexed and withdrew from them for a period of one month. Then the above mentioned verses revealed and they reconciled.