By sending gifts to the elders of Judah David acts with shrewd wisdom to win support for his kingship (cf. 2 Samuel 2:1–4).1 He is also shown to be a giver rather than a taker (cf. 1 Samuel 8:10–18).2 Finally, seeing as the people of Judah had suffered under the recent raids of the Amalekites3 they had a right to share in the plunder that was recovered.
26 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.”