These men were wicked (see 1 Samuel 2:12) because they disrespected God’s chosen king.
People gave gifts to show respect (Genesis 32:13, 18, 20), build political friendships (2 Kings 20:12), or show submission (Judges 3:15, 17).
Saul remained silent about it: His calmness when insulted showed maturity. In contrast, Proverbs 16:14 warns about a king’s anger when challenged. See also 1 Samuel 11:12–13.
One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript includes this additional paragraph that is not found in the Berean Standard Bible:
"Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had viciously oppressed the people of Gad and Reuben, gouging out the right eye of each Israelite dwelling there. He would not allow anyone to rescue them, and there was no Israelite east of the Jordan whose right eye had not been gouged out. But 7,000 men had escaped from the Ammonites and settled in Jabesh-gilead" (see the marginal note on 1 Samuel 10:27 in the Berean Standard Bible).
Whether this material was part of the original text is uncertain. However, it helps explain the background of the conflict between Nahash and Jabesh-gilead and gives historical context for 1 Samuel 11:1–15 (for example, 1 Samuel 11:2).