2 Samuel 2:5

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, [even] unto Saul, and have buried him.

And David {H1732} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} unto the men {H582} of Jabeshgilead {H3003}{H1568}, and said {H559} unto them, Blessed {H1288} be ye of the LORD {H3068}, that ye have shewed {H6213} this kindness {H2617} unto your lord {H113}, even unto Saul {H7586}, and have buried {H6912} him.

So David sent messengers to the men of Yavesh-Gil'ad with this message: "May you be blessed by ADONAI, because you showed this kindness to your lord, Sha'ul, and buried him.

So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, β€œThe LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of Jehovah, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

Commentary

Context

Following the tragic deaths of King Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-6), David, having mourned the fallen king and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17-27), has been anointed king over the house of Judah in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). This verse highlights David's immediate action upon hearing that the men of Jabesh-gilead had bravely retrieved and buried Saul's body, which had been desecrated by the Philistines. This act of respect shown by Jabesh-gilead was a courageous and loyal gesture, especially given Saul's earlier rescue of their city from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11).

Key Themes

  • David's Wisdom and Gratitude: David's swift and public commendation of Jabesh-gilead demonstrates his political acumen and grateful heart. He recognized an act of profound loyalty and honor, not just to Saul, but to the departed king of Israel. This move solidified David's standing as a wise and just leader, capable of honoring the past while looking to the future.
  • Loyalty and Kindness: The men of Jabesh-gilead exemplified deep loyalty and compassion towards Saul, even after his death. Their actions showcased a profound sense of duty and remembrance of Saul's past deliverance of their city. David's blessing affirms the value of such steadfast character.
  • Respect for the Deceased: Despite Saul's animosity towards David, David consistently showed profound respect for Saul as the Lord's anointed, even in death. His commendation of those who honored Saul reinforces the biblical principle of treating the deceased with dignity, regardless of personal feelings or political rivalries.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "kindness" in this verse is the Hebrew term chesed (Χ—ΦΆΧ‘ΦΆΧ“). This rich word signifies more than mere benevolence; it conveys a deep sense of loyal love, steadfast faithfulness, and covenantal commitment. By using chesed, David acknowledges the profound and enduring loyalty of the men of Jabesh-gilead, indicating that their act was not just a simple favor but an expression of profound devotion rooted in a sense of duty and gratitude.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Honor and Respect: We are called to show honor and respect, even to those who may have been difficult or antagonistic in life, and certainly to those in authority or who have served. David's example teaches us to rise above personal grievances and acknowledge good deeds.
  • Recognizing Good Deeds: Like David, we should be quick to recognize and affirm acts of loyalty, courage, and kindness in others. Acknowledging and appreciating such virtues can foster unity and build strong communities.
  • Leadership Qualities: For leaders, this passage underscores the importance of humility, gratitude, and the ability to unite people by honoring their noble actions. David's response helped to bridge the gap between his new reign and the legacy of the previous king.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 23:21 (4 votes)

    And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

  • Psalms 115:15 (3 votes)

    Ye [are] blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

  • 1 Samuel 24:19 (2 votes)

    For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.

  • Ruth 2:20 (2 votes)

    And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed [be] he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man [is] near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

  • 1 Samuel 25:32 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ And David said to Abigail, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

  • 1 Samuel 25:33 (2 votes)

    And blessed [be] thy advice, and blessed [be] thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

  • Ruth 3:10 (1 votes)

    And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.