Building Favour and Giving Thanks

1 Samuel 30:26 And when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the goods to the responsible men of Judah, and to his friends, saying, Here is an offering for you from the goods of those who were fighting against the Lord;

 27 He sent to those who were in Beth-el, and in Ramah of the South, and in Jattir;

 28 And to those in Arara and Eshtemoa

 29 and Carmel and in the towns of the Jerahmeelites, and in the towns of the Kenites;

 30 And to those who were in Hormah and in Bor-ashan and in Athach;

 31 And in Hebron, and to all the places where David and his men had been living.

Not only does David reward all of his men equally for their participation in the victory over the Amalekites but he also sends gifts to those places and people where David and his men had been hosted (see vs 31).

First in doing this he is expressing thanks for their support of him during a time of need in his life. He remembered those who had blessed him and purposed to be a blessing to them.

Secondly he was creating good will among these friends and responsible people. He was sowing into the day he would be returning to become king and would need their support.

Thirdly it is possible some of these people had been adversely affected by the Amalekites and David is restoring to them what had been taken.

Finally notice David does not send these "love gifts" to the people of Keilah and Ziph who had betrayed him to Saul. He does not hurt them but neither does he honor them.