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 the spoil to his friends" (1 Samuel 30:26). That David was able from the spoil of the Amalekites to send substantial gifts to all of the friends mentioned in this extensive list emphasizes the enormity of that wealth which he had been able to seize. Dummelow cited two reasons for David's action in this: "Gratitude for those people of Judah who had fed and supported him while he was a fugitive from Saul and also policy, cultivating the friendship and support of those whom he would need during his move toward the throne."[20]

All of the places mentioned here were from Hebron and southward. H. P. Smith identified Aroer with a place near Beersheba,[21] and although Racal is said to be unknown, the same scholar noted that it probably means Carmel, which, of course, we should have expected to be in the list.

"Hebron" (1 Samuel 30:21). "It is significant that David sent part of the spoil to Hebron, because later when he became king over Judah, he made Hebron his capital."[22]

"For all the places where David and his men roamed" (1 Samuel 30:31). Thus this is only a partial list of the places receiving gifts from the spoil of the Amalekites. During the twenty-two years following the death of Samuel, David had wandered to many different places. It is a marvel of providence that David was able to survive, and that when his fortunes began to change, he remembered all of those who had befriended and aided him.