1 Samuel 30 26

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;

1 Samuel 30:26 nkjv

Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD"?

1 Samuel 30:26 niv

When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, "Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD's enemies."

1 Samuel 30:26 esv

When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, "Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD."

1 Samuel 30:26 nlt

When he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends. "Here is a present for you, taken from the LORD's enemies," he said.

1 Samuel 30 verses

1 Samuel 30 26 Meaning

1 Samuel 30:26 describes David's act of distributing the recovered spoil to the elders of Judah, specifically those in the cities he had visited, as a demonstration of his care, leadership, and recognition of their support. This action symbolizes generosity and foresight, fostering loyalty and establishing a precedent for just distribution within his burgeoning kingdom.

1 Samuel 30 26 Context

1 Samuel 30 begins with David and his men returning to Ziklag after being dismissed by the Philistine lords. They find their city burned, their wives, sons, and daughters captured by the Amalekites. Overwhelmed by grief, David's men consider stoning him. David, however, "strengthened himself in the Lord his God" and sought divine guidance through Abiathar the priest. He pursued the Amalekites, utterly defeated them, and recovered all that was taken, including their own possessions and additional flocks and herds (1 Sam 30:16-19). This success led to a dispute among his men regarding the distribution of the recovered spoil: those who had been too weary to pursue wanted to receive no share. David then issues a decree in 1 Samuel 30:23-25, stating that those who guard the supplies should share equally with those who go to battle, establishing a vital precedent. Verse 26, therefore, follows David's victory and internal decree, showcasing his strategic distribution of the recovered wealth. Historically, David was at this point still an outcast from King Saul, operating from Ziklag, a Philistine-granted city, yet he was strengthening his influence among his own people, Judah.

1 Samuel 30 26 Word Analysis

• And when David came (וַיָּבֹ֥א דָוִ֖ד - vayavo Dāviḏ):
  • וַיָּבֹ֥א (vayavo): "And he came," implies completion of the journey back to his base after the victorious pursuit. It marks a moment of return, but also the beginning of a new phase of leadership and consolidation.
  • דָוִ֖ד (Dāviḏ): David, whose name means "beloved." He acts here not merely as a commander but as a budding leader of God's chosen people, exhibiting qualities that will characterize his kingship: wisdom, justice, and care for his people.
• to Ziklag (צִֽקְלַ֗ג - Tsiqlaḡ):
  • Ziklag was the city given to David by Achish, King of Gath (1 Sam 27:6). It served as his base of operations while he was in Philistine territory, a precarious but strategic position. Its devastation and subsequent recovery underscore David's resilience and God's faithfulness.
• he sent (וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח - vayishallaḥ):
  • "He sent" signifies deliberate action. David, as the leader, is the initiator of this distribution, demonstrating proactive care and engagement with his wider community.
• of the spoil (מֵהַשָּׁלָל֙ - mehaššālāl):
  • מֵ (me-)*: "from," indicates a portion or part of the larger spoil.
  • הַשָּׁלָל֙ (haššālāl): "the spoil," "the plunder," refers specifically to the wealth taken from the Amalekites, which was distinct from David and his men's personal property that was also recovered. This was "God-given" wealth, as it resulted from a divinely guided victory (1 Sam 30:8). It reflects the ancient practice of distributing war booty.
• to the elders of Judah (לְזִקְנֵי֙ יְהוּדָ֔ה - lĕziqnei Yĕhūḏāh):
  • לְזִקְנֵי֙ (lĕziqnei): "to the elders of." Elders were recognized leaders, representing families and clans within the Israelite tribal structure. They were figures of authority, wisdom, and influence. Distributing to them was a way to reach the entire community and gain widespread recognition.
  • יְהוּדָ֔ה (Yĕhūḏāh): "Judah." This tribe was David's own, his primary support base. He was strengthening his political and social ties within his own tribal identity, which would eventually affirm him as king over Judah.
• his friends (רֵעָ֖יו - re‘āv):
  • This phrase emphasizes David's personal connection to these elders. It implies not just a political transaction but a relational bond, highlighting David's personable leadership style. These were people with whom he had maintained ties during his fugitive years.
• saying (לֵאמֹ֑ר - lemor):
  • Implies an accompanying message, either a verbal one or a letter. This communication was as important as the gift itself, likely explaining the origin of the spoil and reaffirming David's good standing.
• "Behold, a present (הִנֵּ֤ה לָכֶם֙ בְּרָכָה֙ - hinnēh lakhem bĕrākāh):"
  • הִנֵּ֤ה (hinnēh): "Behold," drawing attention to what follows.
  • לָכֶם֙ (lakhem): "for you."
  • בְּרָכָה֙ (bĕrākāh): "a blessing," "a gift." The Hebrew word berakhah literally means "blessing," often associated with divine favor and prosperity. Calling the spoil a "blessing" elevates it from mere plunder to a tangible sign of God's favor, mediated through David. It's not just loot but a gracious offering.
• for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD." (מִשְּׁלַ֖ל אֹיְבֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ - miššĕlal ’ōyḇē YHWH):
  • מִשְּׁלַ֖ל (miššĕlal): "from the spoil of." Re-emphasizes the source.
  • אֹיְבֵ֥י (’ōyḇē): "enemies of."
  • יְהוָֽה׃ (YHWH): "the LORD," God's covenant name. This crucial phrase links the victory directly to God. The Amalekites were sworn enemies of Israel (Exod 17:16; Deut 25:17-19), thus making their spoil explicitly "spoil of the enemies of the LORD." David presents himself as God's instrument, distributing divinely sanctioned plunder. This not only legitimized the gift but also positioned David firmly on God's side.

Words-group analysis:

• "And when David came to Ziklag, he sent": This highlights David's immediate action upon returning home. It was not an afterthought, but a prompt demonstration of his thoughtful leadership and connection to the people.
• "of the spoil to the elders of Judah his friends": This grouping emphasizes the intentional target of David's generosity. It wasn't to just any person but to recognized leaders and those with whom he shared a prior relationship. This act solidifies his social and political standing within his own tribe, cultivating a base of support for his eventual rise to kingship.
• "Behold, a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD": This complete statement functions as David's strategic message. It frames the gift as a "blessing" and anchors it in a theological context—the defeat of God's enemies. This effectively turns a simple distribution of war bounty into a shared triumph, reinforcing his image as a divinely favored leader and establishing a bond of loyalty.

1 Samuel 30 26 Bonus Section

The act described in 1 Samuel 30:26 marks David's strategic re-engagement with Judah's civic structure, essentially conducting a "goodwill tour" through these specific cities. This distribution was not random but targeted, meticulously listed in 1 Samuel 30:27-31. This careful list suggests that David had long-standing relationships with these communities, perhaps as a result of his fugitive wanderings where he sought refuge among them, or that these communities were known supporters of him and sympathetic to his cause against Saul. This reinforces the idea that David was cultivating a legitimate and loyal power base in Judah, positioning himself not merely as a warlord but as a divinely appointed leader gathering widespread support. The phrase "spoil of the enemies of the LORD" not only justifies the acquisition but also provides a powerful theological reason for the gift, aligning David's actions with God's will and purpose for Israel, reinforcing his identity as God's anointed leader against Amalek, the ancient enemy of Israel.

1 Samuel 30 26 Commentary

1 Samuel 30:26 serves as a profound testament to David's wisdom, leadership, and a nascent form of statecraft, even before he was crowned king. Having just overcome deep personal despair and rallied his men to a miraculous victory, David's next act is not to hoard the wealth or indulge, but to distribute it widely among his people. This act reveals several critical aspects:

Firstly, it showcases David's political acumen and strategic foresight. By sharing the spoil with the elders of Judah, his own tribe, he was strengthening his network of alliances and cultivating goodwill among influential figures. These were the very people who would later play a crucial role in acknowledging him as king (2 Sam 2:4). It was an investment in his future kingship, built on generosity rather than coercion.

Secondly, it underlines David's commitment to justice and communal well-being. Having established the principle of equitable distribution within his own fighting force (1 Sam 30:23-25), he extends this same generous spirit to the broader community. The language used, "a blessing," elevates the plunder from mere war booty to a divine favor, reminding the recipients that their good fortune originated from the Lord's intervention through David. This fosters unity and shared identity under God.

Thirdly, this act aligns with biblical principles of caring for the community and honoring elders. Giving gifts from spoil was not uncommon (Josh 22:8), but David's personal touch—referring to the elders as "his friends" and presenting it as a "blessing"—demonstrated a personal commitment beyond simple obligation. It exemplifies righteous leadership that uses resources not for personal gain but for the flourishing of the people and the recognition of God's hand.

This moment highlights David's departure from Saul's self-serving rule, presenting a glimpse of the just and righteous king God intended for Israel. It’s a microcosm of the justice and benevolence that would characterize David's best years on the throne (2 Sam 8:15).

Examples:

• A leader sharing a portion of a company's success (profit, bonus) with key employees or stakeholders.
• A church distributing resources from a successful mission initiative to other ministries or needy members in its community.
• A family, after overcoming a challenge, sharing their blessings with those who supported them.