1 Samuel 30:26

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;

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};

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."

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.”

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

Context of 1 Samuel 30:26

This verse finds David at a pivotal moment in his life, shortly after a devastating personal and communal crisis. Having returned to Ziklag, his base in Philistine territory, David and his men discovered it had been raided and burned by the Amalekites, with their wives and children taken captive. In a moment of deep distress, David famously "encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

With divine guidance, David pursued the raiders, utterly defeating them and recovering all that had been lost, along with significant spoil from the Amalekites. The distribution of this spoil sparked a dispute among his men, leading David to establish a just principle: those who guarded the camp should share equally with those who went to battle. Verse 26 describes the subsequent act of David sending gifts from this recovered bounty to the elders of Judah, his home tribe.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Generosity and Gratitude: David's act of sharing the spoil demonstrates his generosity and gratitude, acknowledging God's hand in the victory. It wasn't merely about recovering what was lost, but also about the additional wealth gained from the "enemies of the LORD."
  • Wise Leadership and Alliance Building: This was a highly strategic move by David. By sending gifts to the elders of Judah, David was cementing relationships and gaining favor with key leaders in his own tribe. This action laid crucial groundwork for his eventual anointing as king over Judah, which occurred shortly after this period. It shows political acumen and foresight in consolidating support.
  • Divine Provision and Righteous Warfare: The phrase "spoil of the enemies of the LORD" highlights that this victory was seen as God's battle. The Amalekites were ancient adversaries of Israel, and their defeat was a fulfillment of God's judgment. The spoil was therefore a blessing from God, obtained through righteous means.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "present" here is berakah (בְּרָכָה), which literally means "blessing." While it often refers to a spoken blessing, it can also denote a gift or token of goodwill that conveys blessing or good fortune. This suggests David wasn't just sending a material gift, but a symbol of blessing and prosperity derived from God's victory, reinforcing the spiritual significance of the spoil.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 30:26 offers several timeless lessons:

  • Share Your Blessings: When God blesses us, whether materially or otherwise, there is an opportunity to share that blessing with others, particularly those who have supported us or are part of our community.
  • Cultivate Relationships: David understood the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with leaders and supporters. Wise leadership involves not only direct action but also strategic relational investment.
  • Acknowledge God's Hand: David attributed the victory and the spoil to God, recognizing that it was the "enemies of the LORD" who were defeated. This reminds us to acknowledge God's providence and power in our own successes and provisions.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 25:27 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 18:24 (2 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 32:8 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 12:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.