1 Samuel 30:26

KJV

And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, [even] to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;

KJV (with Strong's)

And when David {H1732} came {H935} to Ziklag {H6860}, he sent {H7971} of the spoil {H7998} unto the elders {H2205} of Judah {H3063}, even to his friends {H7453}, saying {H559}, Behold a present {H1293} for you of the spoil {H7998} of the enemies {H341} of the LORD {H3068};

Complete Jewish Bible

When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the leaders of Y'hudah who were his friends with a note, "Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

American Standard Version

And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold, a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of Jehovah:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
After a miraculous victory over the Amalekites, who had plundered Ziklag and taken David's family captive, David returned with abundant spoil. In an act of strategic generosity and grateful acknowledgment of divine provision, David dispatched portions of this recovered bounty to the elders of Judah, his tribal kin and future subjects. This distribution was not merely an act of sharing but a deliberate gesture to build alliances and consolidate support, framing the recovered wealth as a "present... of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD," thereby imbuing it with spiritual significance and divine legitimacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal narrative in David's life, detailed in [1 Samuel 30](/1_samuel/30 "1 Samuel 30 - David's Victory at Ziklag"). David and his men, having been dismissed by the Philistine lords, returned to Ziklag to find it burned and their families abducted by the Amalekites ([1 Samuel 30:1-2](/1_samuel/30-1 "1 Samuel 30:1-2 - Ziklag Burned")). In a moment of deep despair, David famously "encouraged himself in the LORD his God" ([1 Samuel 30:6](/1_samuel/30-6 "1 Samuel 30:6 - David Encourages Himself in the Lord")). With divine guidance sought through the ephod ([1 Samuel 30:7-8](/1_samuel/30-7 "1 Samuel 30:7-8 - David Inquires of the Lord")), David pursued the raiders, utterly defeating them and recovering all that was lost, along with significant spoil ([1 Samuel 30:18-19](/1_samuel/30-18 "1 Samuel 30:18-19 - Recovery of All")). The distribution of this spoil sparked a dispute among his men, leading David to establish a just principle of sharing equally between those who fought and those who guarded the camp ([1 Samuel 30:21-25](/1_samuel/30-21 "1 Samuel 30:21-25 - The Law of Spoil Distribution")). Verse 26, therefore, describes the subsequent, broader distribution of this spoil to secure political and spiritual favor, immediately preceding David's anointing as king over Judah in [2 Samuel 2](/2_samuel/2 "2 Samuel 2 - David Anointed King Over Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David was currently living in Ziklag, a town granted to him by Achish, the Philistine king of Gath ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - Ziklag Granted to David")). This arrangement placed David in a precarious position, serving a foreign king while still maintaining ties to Israel. The Amalekites were ancient, persistent enemies of Israel, dating back to the Exodus ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel")). God had commanded their utter destruction ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")), a command King Saul had failed to fully execute ([1 Samuel 15:1-9](/1_samuel/15-1 "1 Samuel 15:1-9 - Saul's Disobedience Regarding Amalek")). David's victory over them was thus seen not just as personal vengeance but as a righteous act fulfilling divine judgment. Sending gifts to the elders of Judah was a culturally significant act of diplomacy and patronage. In a tribal society, such gifts cemented alliances, demonstrated power and generosity, and laid groundwork for future political leadership, particularly crucial as David was poised to become king over Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates themes of **Divine Provision and Deliverance**, as the spoil is explicitly from "the enemies of the LORD," signifying God's hand in the victory and the subsequent blessing. It highlights **Wise and Strategic Leadership**, showcasing David's political acumen in using the recovered wealth not just for his immediate followers but to cultivate support among the influential leaders of his own tribe, Judah. This act of generosity also underscores **Gratitude and Stewardship**, as David acknowledges the source of the blessing and uses it to benefit his people, laying the groundwork for his future reign ([2 Samuel 2:4](/2_samuel/2-4 "2 Samuel 2:4 - David Anointed King Over Judah")). Furthermore, it subtly touches on the theme of **Justice and Righteous Warfare**, as the spoil is gained from those who had unjustly attacked and plundered, and its distribution reflects a divinely guided principle of sharing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spoil (Hebrew, _šālāl'_):** This word refers to plunder, booty, or captured goods taken from a defeated enemy. In this context, it signifies the material wealth recovered from the Amalekites, including David's own possessions and additional riches. The fact that it is "the spoil of the enemies of the LORD" elevates its significance beyond mere material gain, casting it as a divinely sanctioned acquisition, a tangible sign of God's judgment on Israel's adversaries and His provision for His people.
* **Present (Hebrew, _minḥāh'_):** While often translated as "offering" or "tribute," _minḥāh_ here denotes a gift or token of goodwill. David's use of this term transforms the "spoil" from mere plunder into a deliberate, respectful offering. It signifies an act of homage and alliance-building, rather than simply a distribution of war gains, reinforcing the political and relational intent behind David's actions towards the elders of Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when David came to Ziklag":** This phrase grounds the action in the immediate aftermath of the victory. David's return to his base, now restored, signifies the completion of the physical recovery of his family and possessions, setting the stage for the strategic distribution of the additional spoil.
* **"he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, [even] to his friends":** This is the core action of the verse. David, now in possession of abundant resources, initiates a deliberate outreach. The recipients are specific: "the elders of Judah," the tribal leaders who held significant influence. The parenthetical "even to his friends" emphasizes the relational aspect of this gesture, indicating David's desire to strengthen existing bonds and cultivate loyalty among those who would be crucial to his future.
* **"saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;":** This declaration is crucial. David frames the gifts not just as material wealth but as a "present" (minḥah) with a divinely sanctioned origin: "the spoil of the enemies of the LORD." This statement serves multiple purposes: it attributes the victory to God, legitimizes the acquisition of the spoil, and implicitly invites the elders to partake in the blessing derived from God's triumph over His adversaries, thereby aligning their interests with David's divinely blessed endeavors.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Irony** is present in David, an outcast and fugitive living in Philistine territory, now acting as a benevolent leader distributing the spoils of a divinely sanctioned victory. This contrasts sharply with Saul's recent failures and foreshadows David's eventual rise to kingship. **Symbolism** is evident in the "spoil of the enemies of the LORD," which symbolizes not just material wealth but divine favor, victory over evil, and God's provision. By distributing this spoil, David is symbolically sharing in God's blessing and judgment. Furthermore, the act itself is a form of **Foreshadowing**, as David's strategic generosity and alliance-building with the elders of Judah directly precede and pave the way for his anointing as king over Judah, demonstrating his political acumen and the divine hand guiding his ascent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This act of David's generosity and strategic distribution of spoil resonates deeply with biblical themes of divine provision, righteous stewardship, and the establishment of God's chosen leadership. The victory over the Amalekites was not merely a human triumph but a divinely orchestrated judgment against a long-standing enemy of God's people, making the spoil a tangible sign of God's blessing. David, in turn, demonstrates wise stewardship by using this blessing to strengthen the bonds within his own tribe, laying the groundwork for the unified kingdom under his future reign. This principle of sharing blessings, particularly those divinely granted, for the common good and the advancement of God's purposes, is a recurring motif throughout Scripture.

* [Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9 "Honor the Lord with Your Wealth")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "To Whom Much Is Given")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "God Loves a Cheerful Giver")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's actions in 1 Samuel 30:26 offer a profound model for leadership, gratitude, and the responsible use of blessings. In moments of personal triumph or divine provision, it is easy to become self-focused, but David chose to extend the blessing outward, strategically and generously. This reminds us that our successes, resources, and even our recoveries from hardship are often not solely for our own benefit but are opportunities to bless others, build community, and advance God's purposes. It challenges us to consider how we can use what God has entrusted to us—whether material wealth, talents, influence, or even our testimonies of deliverance—to strengthen relationships, support those around us, and prepare for future endeavors, always acknowledging the divine source of our blessings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I acknowledge God's hand in my own victories and provisions?**
* **In what ways can I strategically use my resources or blessings to build up my community or support those around me?**
* **What relationships in my life could be strengthened through intentional acts of generosity or kindness, inspired by David's example?**

### FAQ

**Why was it important for David to send gifts to the elders of Judah specifically?**

Answer: Sending gifts to the elders of Judah was a highly strategic and culturally significant move for David. First, Judah was his own tribe, and securing their loyalty and support was crucial for his political future. David was already anointed by Samuel to be king, and this act laid the groundwork for his eventual anointing as king over Judah in [2 Samuel 2:4](/2_samuel/2-4 "David Anointed King Over Judah"). Second, elders were influential leaders within their communities, and gaining their favor meant gaining the favor of the people they represented. By sharing the spoil, David demonstrated generosity, acknowledged their importance, and implicitly invited them to partake in the blessing of God's victory over the Amalekites, framing it as a shared triumph against "the enemies of the LORD." This solidified his standing and built a network of support essential for his transition from fugitive to king.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's act of distributing the spoil from the "enemies of the LORD" to his people, particularly the elders of Judah, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate generosity and divine kingship of Jesus Christ. David, as a type of Christ, secured victory over a formidable enemy and then shared the abundance of that victory. Similarly, Christ, through His triumphant death and resurrection, secured a definitive victory over the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph Over Principalities")). The "spoil" of His victory is not material wealth but spiritual blessings: forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 1:3-7](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Just as David shared his bounty with his "friends" and future subjects, Christ, our heavenly King, freely distributes these immeasurable spiritual riches to all who are His, establishing His rule not through force but through grace and the outpouring of His Spirit ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit")). His ultimate act of generosity on the cross, giving His life as a ransom ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve")), far surpasses David's gifts, establishing a kingdom that is eternal and a bond of friendship that is unbreakable ([John 15:13-15](/john/15-13 "No Greater Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 25:27

And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.

Psalms 68:18

Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].

2 Kings 5:15

¶ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Proverbs 18:16

¶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 18:24

¶ A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.

Isaiah 32:8

But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.

1 Chronicles 12:1

¶ Now these [are] they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war.