Now when Davidcameto Ziklag,he sent[some] of the spoilto the eldersof Judah,to his friends,saying,"Behold,a giftfor you from the spoilof the enemiesof the LORD:
"Pleasetakemy giftwhichhas been broughtto you, becauseGodhas dealtgraciouslywith me and becauseI haveplenty."Thus he urgedhim and he took[it].
Now it cameabout afterthe deathof Saul,when Davidhad returnedfrom the slaughterof the Amalekites,that Davidremainedtwodaysin Ziklag.
When he returnedto the manof Godwith allhis company,and cameand stoodbeforehim, he said,"Beholdnow,I knowthat thereis noGodin allthe earth,but in Israel;so pleasetakea presentfrom your servantnow."
Let them shoutfor joyand rejoice,whofavormy vindication;And let them saycontinually,"The LORDbe magnified,Whodelightsin the prosperityof His servant."
You have ascendedon high,You have ledcaptive[Your] captives;You have receivedgiftsamong men,Even [among] the rebelliousalso,that the LORDGodmay dwell[there].
But the noblemandevisesnobleplans;And by nobleplanshe stands.
SoI thoughtit necessaryto urgethe brethrenthat they would go on aheadto you and arrange beforehandyour previously promisedbountifulgift,sothat the samewould be readyas a bountiful giftand not affectedby covetousness.
Then Saulsaidto David,"Hereis my olderdaughterMerab;I will giveher to you as a wife,onlybe a valiantmanfor me and fightthe LORD'Sbattles."For Saulthought,"My handshall not be against him, but let the handof the Philistinesbe against him."
"Nowlet thisgiftwhichyour maidservanthas broughtto my lordbe givento the youngmenwho accompanymy lord.
"Pleaseforgivethe transgressionof your maidservant;for the LORDwill certainlymakefor my lordan enduringhouse,becausemy lordis fightingthe battlesof the LORD,and evilwill not be foundin you allyour days.
So Davidhad capturedallthe sheepand the cattle[which the people] droveaheadof the [other] livestock,and they said,"Thisis David'sspoil."
So it has beenfrom that dayforward,that he madeit a statuteand an ordinancefor Israelto thisday.
