1 Samuel 30:26 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:21-31

We have here an account of the distribution of the spoil which as taken from the Amalekites. When the Amalekites had carried away a rich booty from the land of Judah and the Philistines they spent it in sensuality, in eating, and drinking, and making merry with it; but David disposed of the spoil taken after another manner, as one that knew that justice and charity must govern us in the use we make of whatever we have in this world. What God gives us he designs we should do good with, not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:26

And when David came to Ziklag ,.... Perhaps with an intention to rebuild it, and make it still the place of his residence; and it is possible there might be some houses that escaped flames, and if not, tents might be pitched until the city was rebuilt, and it appears that he continued there some time: he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah : of that part of it which belonged to himself as a general: even to his friends ; such as had been kind to him when he sojourned among... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:26

Unto the elders of Judah - These were the persons among whom he sojourned during his exile, and who had given him shelter and protection. Gratitude required these presents. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:21-31

The law of service. The facts are— 1 . On returning to the men who had remained at Besor, some of David's followers oppose his intention to give them a share of the spoil, and are even desirous of sending them away. 2 . David resists this spirit as being inconsistent with gratitude to God for his care and aid, and with strict justice to those who serve in humble form according to their strength. 3 . David's decision becomes a standing ordinance in Israel's future national life.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:26

The elders of Judah. The spoil taken from the Amalekites and assigned to David must have been very large, as it was worth distributing so widely. He did not, however, send to all the elders of Judah, but to such only as were his friends. A present. Hebrew, "a blessing" (see on 1 Samuel 25:27 ). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 30:26

1 Samuel 30:26. He sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah Partly in gratitude for their former favours to him; and partly in policy to engage their affections to him. Behold a present for you In the Hebrew, a blessing. So he calls the present, because it was a token that he wished all prosperity to them, who had been kind to him in his banishment, and had helped to maintain and protect him. Of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord The success of David in this pursuit of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 30:1-31

David’s victory and Saul’s defeat (30:1-31:13)When David’s men returned to Ziklag, they found it a deserted, burnt out ruin. The Amalekites had raided the cities of Philistia and Judah while all the fighting men were away at war. The shock of losing everything - wives, families and possessions - drove David to total dependence on God. It was the kind of dependence that seems to have been lacking during his sixteen months in Philistia (30:1-8).Assisted by some capable Israelite military... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 30:26

present. All these places south of Hebron were protected by David, and these presents were a return for their support. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 30:26

DAVID'S DISTRIBUTION OF THE ABUNDANT SPOIL"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"; it was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Shipmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Borashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed.""Part of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 30:26

26. when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah—This was intended as an acknowledgment to the leading men in those towns and villages of Judah which had ministered to his necessities in the course of his various wanderings. It was the dictate of an amiable and grateful heart; and the effect of this well-timed liberality was to bring a large accession of numbers to his camp ( :-). The enumeration of these places shows what a numerous and influential party of adherents... read more