Topical Bible: King: Presents

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In the biblical context, the concept of "presents" or gifts is often associated with expressions of honor, respect, and allegiance, particularly in relation to kings and rulers. The giving of presents to a king is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing submission, tribute, and the acknowledgment of authority.

Old Testament Context

1. Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom: King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, received numerous presents from various dignitaries and rulers. In 1 Kings 10:24-25 , it is recorded, "The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, garments, weapons, spices, horses, and mules." These gifts were a testament to Solomon's esteemed position and the recognition of his God-given wisdom.

2. Tribute to Kings: The practice of bringing presents to a king as a form of tribute is evident in several accounts. For instance, in 2 Samuel 8:2 , David's conquest of Moab is described: "He also defeated the Moabites and made them lie down on the ground. Then he measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute."

3. The Queen of Sheba: The visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon is a notable example of the exchange of gifts. In 1 Kings 10:10 , it is stated, "And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did such an abundance of spices come in as those the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon." Her presents were not only a gesture of goodwill but also an acknowledgment of Solomon's greatness.

New Testament Context

1. The Magi's Gifts: In the New Testament, the Magi's visit to the infant Jesus is a significant event involving the presentation of gifts. Matthew 2:11 recounts, "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." These gifts were symbolic, representing Jesus' kingship (gold), divinity (frankincense), and suffering (myrrh).

2. Herod's Birthday: The account of Herod's birthday celebration in Mark 6:21 illustrates the custom of giving presents during royal festivities. "On Herod's birthday, Herodias' daughter came in and danced, pleasing Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, 'Ask me for anything you want, and I will give it to you.'" This event, though resulting in the tragic beheading of John the Baptist, highlights the practice of granting gifts or favors by a king.

Symbolism and Significance

The giving of presents to a king in biblical times was laden with cultural and spiritual significance. It was a means of showing respect, forming alliances, and acknowledging the king's authority and power. In a broader theological sense, these acts of giving can be seen as reflections of the ultimate gift of salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. The presents given to earthly kings serve as a shadow of the greater gift of grace bestowed upon humanity by the divine King.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 10:27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought no presents. But he held his peace.
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1 Samuel 16:20
And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
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2 Samuel 8:2
And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
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1 Kings 10:2,10,25
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bore spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
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2 Chronicles 9:24
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
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Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
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Library

Herod is Confirmed in his Kingdom by Caesar, and Cultivates a ...
... 3. When Caesar had spoken such obliging things to the king, and had put the diadem ...
Whereupon Herod obliged him to be kind to him by the presents he gave him ...
/.../chapter 20 herod is confirmed.htm

How Antipater is Hated of all Men; and How the King Espouses the ...
... he gave, the more he was hated, as not making these presents out of ... and more profusely,
on observing that, contrary to his expectations, the king was taking ...
/.../chapter 28 how antipater is.htm

How Our People Served the Moabites Eighteen Years, and were Then ...
... Now, when on a time he was bringing presents to the king, and had two servants with
him, he put a dagger on his right thigh secretly, and went in to him: it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how our people.htm

How Cleopatra, when She had Gotten from Antony Some Parts of Judea ...
... with Herod, she endeavored to have criminal conversation with the king; nor did ... So
he treated Cleopatra kindly, and made her presents, and conducted her on her ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how cleopatra when.htm

Concerning Silas and on what Account it was that King Agrippa was ...
... 3. Now this king was by nature very beneficent and liberal in his gifts ... donations;
and he made himself very illustrious by the many chargeable presents he made ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 concerning silas and.htm

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, his Namesake, King of ...
... He saluted him kindly, and said that he was sent to him by king Berthadad, and brought
presents with him, in order to inquire concerning his distemper, whether ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 jehoram succeeds jehoshaphat.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... having been so thoroughly beaten by the Israelites, sent to Tiglath-Pileser, king
of the ... promise to send him much money; he sent him also great presents at the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

How David Brought under the Philistines, and the Moabites, and the ...
... So when David had made this league of mutual assistance with Toi, [for that was
the name of the king of Hamath,] and had received the presents he sent him, he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how david brought.htm

The King.
... The summary narrative of these seven years presents the still youthful king
in a very lovable light. The same temper which had marked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

A Little Jewish Maid.
... bags with silver and gold, and rolling up some bundles of new clothing, he put them
into the wide saddle-bags of his camels as presents for the King of Israel. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm