The giving of presents entered largely into the affairs of common life in the East. The nature of the presents was as various as were the occasions: food (1 Samuel 9:7; 16:20 ), sheep and cattle (Genesis 32:13-15 ), gold (2 Samuel 18:11 ), jewels (Genesis 24:53 ), furniture, and vessels for eating and drinking (2 Samuel 17:28 ); delicacies, as spices, honey, etc. (1 Kings 10:25; 2 Kings 5 :: 22 ). The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible: the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants (Judges 3:18 ), or still better, on the backs of beasts of burden (2 Kings 8:9 ). The refusal of a present was regarded as a high indignity; and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in Matthew 22:11 , the marriage robe having been offered and refused.