(26) 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; (27) To them which were in Bethel, and to them which were in south Ramoth, and to them which were in Jattir, (28) And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa, (29) And to them which were in Rachal, and to them which were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them which were in the cities of the Kenites, (30) And to them which were in Hormah, and to them which were in Chorashan, and to them which were in Athach, (31) And to them which were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men were wont to haunt.
We have here an instance of David's gratitude. No doubt, but that during his long wanderings, and flights from place to place to avoid Saul, he had pretty w ell exercised the generosity of his friends, for he and his army of 600 men, could not he supplied, and fed upon a trifle. Hence he availed himself of the first moment the Lord had enabled him, to recompense those who had been kind to him. But from David's generosity to his friends, let you and I, Reader, turn our eyes to the view of David's Lord, whose generosity was manifested to his enemies. After our dear Lord returned to glory, having spoiled principalities and powers, he gave gifts to his enemies, even to the rebellious, saith the Holy Ghost, even to you and me. Yes, dearest Jesus! thy love is commended to us, in that while we were enemies, Christ died for us. Oh! matchless generosity! Oh, unequalled love! Lord be thou the first and best, and the unrivalled object of my love, as thine swallows up every other: and may I love thee for that thou hast first loved me.