1 Samuel 30:26-31 “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”— to those who were in Bethel, those who were in Ramoth of the South, those who were in Jattir, those who were in Aroer, those who were in Siphmoth, those who were in Eshtemoa, those who were in Rachal, those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, those who were in the cities of the Kenites, those who were in Hormah, those who were in Chorashan, those who were in Athach, those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to rove.”
David knew that his time among the Philistines had strained his relationships with God’s people. Now he knows he must do whatever he can to put things right again, so he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah with an explanation of what happened. It pleased Judah’s elders that David’s battle with the Amalekites was the beginning of the end for the people of Amalek. History reveals that Amalek was not heard of again after this great victory in the wilderness. His people were the first to attack Israel after the escape from Egyptian bondage and now would trouble Judah no longer thanks to David being obedient to the promise of God and reclaiming what belonged to him.
(1) David showed how much he was blessed by blessing his friends.
When he had given every one his own with interest there was considerably more of the spoils of the Amalekites left over. David, as the general in charge, had the right of disposal for the spoil of the tents and the herds of the Amalekites. The Bible instructs us that he thought it fit to make presents of the excess spoils to his friends, the elders of Judah.
Several places are named in the scriptures to which he sent these spoils, but two stand out for different reasons:
-The first place named is Bethel or the House of El, which signifies the house of God. The first fruits of the spoil went there because it represented the place that God dwelled in. Therefore David sent the first and best, to those that attended there, for the sake of the One who is the first and best.
-The second place is Hebron. Hebron in the proper sense means alliance. It is considered the second most holy city in Judaism and it was to that place David sent all that was left of the spoils. Following the death of King Saul, God instructed David to go to Hebron, where he was anointed King of Judah (II Samuel 2:1-4). A little more than 7.5 years later, David was anointed King over all Israel in Hebron (II Samuel 5:1-3).
When the promise of God was fulfilled in David’s life he showed some elements of what a person who is blessed shows when God does something miraculous for them.
(2) David showed his true character by not being selfish, but in sharing his blessing from the Lord.
His goal was not to enrich himself, but to share his blessing with his countrymen. Afterwards, God enriched him, and set him up to rule the country that he had so generously blessed. It becomes blessed people to be generous. If you hoard it up it will become worthless, but if you bless others with your gifts your personal blessings increase.
James 3:14-16 "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
(3) David expressed his gratitude by his giving.
He sent presents to all the places where he and his men were known to have been. He expressed his gratitude to all that he had received kindness from, those that had sheltered him, and sent him intelligence or provisions.
Gratitude obliges us to return the favors that have been done us, or at least to make a real acknowledgment of them as far as is in the power of our hand. David expressed his by being a blessing to those again who had shown him true fellowship and compassion.
Luke 6:38 NKJV “Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
(4) David showed his humility in sending out these blessings.
He calls these presents what they are-a blessing from the spoils of the enemy of the Lord. In doing so David basically proved two things:
-When we give a blessing to our friends it shows them that our prayers have been answered and that in turn we are investing in them and praying for the same blessings in their lives. David did this again because he was thankful for their concern for him.
-David also sent it out of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord that they might rejoice in the victory for the Lord's sake, and might join with him in thanksgivings for it.
Psalm 34:2 “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad.”
Matthew 6:3, 4 NKJV “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
(5) David’s blessing set the stage for his destiny to be fulfilled.
He knew this was the time that God and set up to fulfill the prophecy of Samuel of kingship of Israel. He was now ready to accept what God had promised him for his destiny as ruler over Israel. He was fit to be a king and showed it by expressing the bounty and liberality of a king by making these presents to those who had helped him in the past.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
1 Peter 5:6, 7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
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