Definition: 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;
Explanation: Okay, letโs break down this verse from 1 Samuel 30:26. It's a really important and somewhat surprising passage! Hereโs what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: David is visiting Ziklag: David was traveling with his men to a town called Ziklag. Heโs offering gifts: He sent some of the animals they had captured (the spoils of battle) to the elders of Judah โ that's basically the people in the region around Jerusalem at that time. โA present for youโ : This isn't a casual gesture. David is saying heโs giving them something as a reward or compensation. โOf the enemies of the LORDโ: This is the key part! David was offering these animals to people who had been fighting against God's people โ specifically, those who were practicing idolatry (worshiping other gods). Putting it all together - A Possible Explanation: David was essentially giving a reward to his followers for their bravery and loyalty during a time of conflict. He was acknowledging their efforts and showing them gratitude for their service. It's a way of saying, "We appreciate your hard work, and we want to show you some thanks." Why is this important? This verse shows that David wasnโt just a powerful king; he also had a sense of compassion and generosity towards his people. It highlights a growing understanding within the Israelites of God's justice and their obligation to obey Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any other parts of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a particular event or story from the Bible? Give you some context about the time period?