It was customary in Israel to take a gift when seeking the help of a seer/prophet (see 1 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 5:5, 2 Kings 5:15; 2 Kings 8:8), though the prophet reserved the right to refuse a gift as well (2 Kings 5:15–16).1 Gifts were an integral part of social interaction in the ancient world. They were given to friends, guests, and almost everyone whom you wish to treat with honour.2 Sadly, they were abused by many (Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:10; Ezekiel 22:25).3
7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”