This present, though in our times it would seem contemptible, yet was very agreeable to the usage of those times, and to the condition of Jesse, which was but mean in the world. And it seems to have been the custom of those times, as it is yet in the eastern countries (when they made their appearance before princes or great persons, to bring a present: see Genesis 32:20, Genesis 43:25,26, and elsewhere); to which civil custom that religious precept seems consonant, Exodus 23:15 Deuteronomy 16:16. None shall appear before me empty. And he might send it, partly as a testimony of his respect to his sovereign, and partly to gain David favour and acceptance with him, being sensible that he was going into a place and state of hazard; but knowing Saul's furious temper, he durst not refuse to send him; and he sent him the more willingly, because this seemed a most likely means to accomplish God's promise of the kingdom, and to prepare him for it.
Related Commentaries of 1 Samuel 16:20
1 Samuel 16:20
20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.