2 Samuel 2:5 kjv

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

2 Samuel 2:5 nkjv

So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, "You are blessed of the LORD, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him.

2 Samuel 2:5 niv

he sent messengers to them to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him.

2 Samuel 2:5 esv

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him.

2 Samuel 2:5 nlt

he sent them this message: "May the LORD bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 5 Meaning

David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead to commend them for their act of loyalty and kindness (ḥesed) in retrieving and burying the bodies of King Saul and his sons. He invoked a blessing from the Lord upon them for this compassionate and honorable deed toward their fallen sovereign.

2 Samuel 2 5 Context

Following the death of King Saul and his sons in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, David, previously anointed by God as the next king, first receives the news of their demise. After executing the Amalekite who falsely claimed to have killed Saul, David composed a lament for Saul and Jonathan. Immediately thereafter, David consults the Lord and goes to Hebron, where the men of Judah anoint him king over their tribe. This verse, 2 Samuel 2:5, marks David's first public, diplomatic act as king, where he reaches out to those who demonstrated profound loyalty to the fallen King Saul.

2 Samuel 2 5 Word analysis

• And David sent: Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד (vayyišlaḥ Dawid). The verb "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative or active role, highlighting David's deliberate and proactive initiative in dispatching. This was a kingly act, signaling his presence and authority.
• messengers: Hebrew: מַלְאָכִים (mal’akim). Plural of mal’akh, meaning "messenger" or "angel." In this human context, it refers to royal envoys, implying a formal and significant communication.
• to the men of Jabesh-gilead: Hebrew: אֶל־אַנְשֵׁי יָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד (ʾel-ʾanshey Yavesh Gilʿad). Jabesh-gilead was a city east of the Jordan River. Their historical loyalty to Saul (rooted in his earlier rescue of them from the Ammonites in 1 Samuel 11) makes David's outreach particularly astute. These men showed immense courage and loyalty by recovering Saul's body from Beth-shan.
• and said to them: Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם (vayyoʾmer lahem). Introduces direct speech, emphasizing the personal nature of David's commendation.
• May you be blessed: Hebrew: בְּרֻכִים אַתֶּם (berukhim ʾattem). A passive participle, meaning "you are blessed" or "may you be blessed." It is a benediction, an invocation of divine favor upon them. This expresses well-wishing and acknowledges that their righteous action warrants a divine response.
• by the Lord: Hebrew: לַיהוָה (laYHWH). Clearly states the divine source of the blessing. David acknowledges God's sovereignty and His role in discerning and rewarding righteousness.
• because you have shown this kindness: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם אֶת־הַחֶסֶד הַזֶּה (ʾasher ʿasitem ʾet-haḥesed hazzè). "Kindness" here translates ḥesed, a profoundly significant Hebrew term often rendered "steadfast love," "loyal love," or "covenant loyalty." It's more than a simple act of charity; it signifies a loyal devotion shown within a relationship, here between subjects and their king, even in death. Their actions fulfilled an unwritten covenant of gratitude and loyalty to Saul, who had previously saved them.
• to your lord, to Saul: Hebrew: עִם־אֲדֹנֵיכֶם עִם־שָׁאוּל (ʿim-ʾadonèkhem ʿim-Shaʾul). David recognizes Saul as their legitimate "lord," underscoring the validity and honor of their past allegiance, rather than condemning it. This highlights David's magnanimity and political wisdom.
• and have buried him: Hebrew: וַתִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ (vattiqberu ʾoto). Burial was an extremely important act in ancient Israel, vital for honor and dignity. Leaving a body unburied was a severe disgrace or a curse. By ensuring Saul's proper burial, the men of Jabesh-gilead performed an act of deep respect, upholding Saul's dignity even in defeat.

• "And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead...": This phrase initiates a critical diplomatic move by David. It shows him as a discerning leader who immediately extends an olive branch and commendation to a region that held strong allegiance to the previous king, rather than moving to suppress or sideline them. This builds bridges, paving the way for eventual unity under his kingship.
• "'May you be blessed by the Lord, because you have shown this kindness..."': This segment encapsulates the heart of David's message. It combines divine recognition ("blessed by the Lord") with the precise description of the praiseworthy act ("this kindness" – ḥesed). It connects the specific deed with a higher spiritual acknowledgement, framing their bravery and loyalty as a deed pleasing to God.

2 Samuel 2 5 Bonus section

• Political Prudence: David's dispatch of messengers to Jabesh-gilead was a highly astute political move. As King of Judah in Hebron, David was far from Saul's strongholds and loyalist areas. By publicly honoring a city renowned for its fierce loyalty to Saul, David subtly communicated his legitimacy and benevolence to a broader Israelite audience. This move contrasted sharply with any perception of him being an opportunistic rival of Saul, showing himself instead as a unifying national leader.
• Contrasting David with Typical Ancient Near Eastern Rulers: Unlike many conquerors or successors in the Ancient Near East who would often denigrate or desecrate the memory of a fallen rival, David goes to great lengths to honor Saul's memory. This is evident not only in this verse but also in his mourning for Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1). This establishes David as a king ruling under God's anointing, embodying principles of honor and covenant rather than raw power.
• Significance of Jabesh-gilead's Location: Their location east of the Jordan made them somewhat isolated, but also a vital gateway and point of connection with trans-Jordanian tribes. Reaching out to them early helped secure broader loyalty.

2 Samuel 2 5 Commentary

This verse portrays David as a shrewd and righteous king who acts with grace and foresight. His first official act upon being anointed king in Hebron is not one of conquest or consolidation of power through force, but of sincere commendation. He recognizes the exceptional courage and deep-seated loyalty shown by the men of Jabesh-gilead in their rescue and proper burial of Saul and his sons. This act of "kindness" (ḥesed) by Jabesh-gilead was crucial for preserving the dignity of the royal family in ancient Israel and demonstrated adherence to societal values regarding proper burial, which were seen as divinely pleasing. By publicly commending them and invoking divine blessing, David affirmed the integrity of the deed and subtly conveyed that he respected Saul's memory and honored those loyal to him. This magnanimous gesture helped lay the groundwork for a united kingdom, demonstrating that David's leadership would encompass honor and justice, contrasting with the often brutal transitions of power in the ancient world. It shows his wisdom in uniting a fractured nation by embracing, rather than alienating, those who had been loyal to the former regime.