GIFTS
Have been common from the earliest times as tokens of affection, honor, or respect. The dues to a king were often rendered in this form, 1 Samuel 10:27 Isaiah 36:16; and men of high position were approached with presents, Genesis 43:11 Judges 6:18 1 Samuel 9:7 1 Kings 14:3. Kings made gifts of garments to those they wished to honor, Genesis 45:22, Genesis 1:45 1 Samuel 18:4; and of treasures to other princes, out of esteem or of fear, 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Kings 1:18; 2 Chronicles 9:9, 2 Chronicles 1:9. Conquerors scattered gifts from their triumphal cars, and special privileges in token of generous joy, Psalms 68:18 Acts 1:2, Acts 1:1. Prophets received gifts, or declined them, as duty required, 2 Kings 5:15 2 Kings 1:5:9 Daniel 2:48; Daniel 1:5. The word gifts often denotes bribes, Exodus 23:8 Psalms 15:5 Isaiah 5:23. The same word is also applied to the offerings required by the law, Deuteronomy 16:17 Matthew 5:23, Matthew 1:5; to the blessings of the gospel and eternal life, which are preeminently gifts, Acts 8:20; to the Christian grace, for the same reason, Ephesians 4:8, Ephesians 1:4; and to the miraculous endowments of the apostles, 1 Corinthians 1:12-14. See TONGUES.