2 Samuel 2:6 kjv
And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
2 Samuel 2:6 nkjv
And now may the LORD show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.
2 Samuel 2:6 niv
May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.
2 Samuel 2:6 esv
Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.
2 Samuel 2:6 nlt
May the LORD be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done.
2 Samuel 2 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
Divine Hesed & Emet | ||
| Exod 34:6 | The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness... | God's steadfast love and faithfulness |
| Psa 25:10 | All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. | God's covenant paths are hesed and emet |
| Psa 57:3 | He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples on me. Selah. God will send His steadfast love and His truth. | God sends hesed and emet for salvation |
| Psa 61:7 | May he abide before God forever; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness that they may preserve him. | Prayer for hesed and emet to preserve a king |
| Psa 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You. | Hesed and Emet precede God's throne |
| Neh 9:17 | They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds... But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, And did not forsake them. | God's hesed in patience and not forsaking |
Human Kindness (Hesed) & Loyalty | ||
| 1 Sam 31:11-13 | When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose... | Their act of loyalty to Saul |
| Ruth 3:10 | And he said, "May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown more kindness at the last than at the first..." | Showing great kindness (hesed) |
| 1 Sam 20:14-15 | "If I am still alive, will you not show me the kindness of the Lord, that I may not die? Nor will you cut off your kindness from my house forever..." | Jonathan's plea for enduring hesed to David's house |
| 2 Sam 9:1 | Then David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" | David extending hesed to Saul's house |
| 2 Sam 9:7 | David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan..." | David's practical hesed to Mephibosheth |
| Divine/Human Repayment & Reward | ||
| Prov 19:17 | One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed. | The Lord repays good deeds |
| Matt 10:42 | "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." | Reward for acts of kindness |
| Heb 6:10 | For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name... | God remembers and will not forget service |
| Rom 2:6 | who will repay each person according to his deeds... | God's righteous repayment of deeds |
| David's Character & Leadership | ||
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance... for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" | God chooses David based on heart |
| 2 Sam 2:4 | Then the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. | David's anointing by Judah prior to this verse |
| 1 Kgs 3:9 | "So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil..." | David's prayer for wisdom for governance |
| Prov 11:18 | The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | Rewards for righteousness, aligned with hesed |
| Unity & God's Will | ||
| Ruth 1:16 | But Ruth said, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for wherever you go, I will go..." | Exemplar of steadfast loyalty |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. | Doing good, echoing David's action |
| 1 Chron 12:38 | All these, being men of war, who could keep rank, came with a loyal heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel... | Demonstrating loyalty to David |
2 Samuel 2 verses
2 Samuel 2 6 Meaning
David extends a profound blessing to the men of Jabesh-Gilead, acknowledging their courageous and faithful act of retrieving and burying the bodies of Saul and his sons. He prays for the Lord to show them enduring kindness and truth, signifying divine favor and reliability. Furthermore, David pledges his own commitment to repay their kindness, signifying a promise of personal recompense and loyal support, effectively recognizing and rewarding their admirable loyalty, even towards his predecessor.
2 Samuel 2 6 Context
Immediately preceding this verse, David, after inquiring of the Lord, has moved to Hebron, where the men of Judah have anointed him king over their tribe (2 Sam 2:1-4). This is a strategic and critical moment in David's ascendancy, as Israel remains without a unified king following the death of Saul and his sons at Mount Gilboa (1 Sam 31).
David receives intelligence that the men of Jabesh-Gilead bravely rescued the dishonored bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and then properly buried them (2 Sam 2:5, echoing 1 Sam 31:11-13). This was an extraordinary act of courage and loyalty, particularly because Jabesh-Gilead had a historical alliance with Saul and remembered his past deliverance of their city (1 Sam 11). David's message in 2 Samuel 2:6 is his swift, profound response to their noble deed, recognizing their valor and simultaneously extending an invitation of reconciliation and patronage as the newly anointed king of Judah. This action showcases David's spiritual depth, political wisdom, and capacity for generous leadership early in his reign.
2 Samuel 2 6 Word analysis
- And now: Hebrew we'attah (וְעַתָּה). This phrase functions as a transition, often indicating a point of logical conclusion or significant new initiative. Here, it marks David's immediate and purposeful response to the news about the men of Jabesh-Gilead.
- may the Lord: Hebrew YHWH (יהוה), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and reliable character. David invokes divine blessing, placing the act under God's purview and indicating that the ultimate reward comes from God Himself.
- show you: Implies an active bestowal of divine favor. It's a prayer for God's continuous engagement with their lives.
- kindness: Hebrew hesed (חֶסֶד). This is a foundational covenant term, multifaceted, signifying loyal love, steadfast love, unfailing mercy, and covenant faithfulness. It describes an active, persistent love that goes beyond obligation. When attributed to God, it speaks of His loyal grace; when from humans, it describes loyalty and practical support. David is asking God to deal with them in accordance with His loyal love, and he also pledges to do the same.
- and truth: Hebrew emet (אֱמֶת). This word conveys reliability, faithfulness, firmness, and trustworthiness. Paired with hesed, it forms a strong compound expressing complete and dependable goodness. The combination hesed w’emet characterizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises and people, ensuring His actions are not only loving but also reliable.
- and I also: Hebrew wegam 'anokhi (וְגַם אָנֹכִי). The addition of gam ("also, even") and the emphatic personal pronoun 'anokhi ("I myself") highlights David's personal commitment. He is not merely relying on divine blessing but explicitly stating his own reciprocal action, mirroring God's attributes.
- will repay you: Hebrew shalam (שָׁלַם). To make whole, complete, restore, or compensate fully. It carries the nuance of rendering a fitting recompense. David is pledging a just and complete return for their deed. This is more than mere gratitude; it is a commitment to restore and support them fully.
- this kindness: Hebrew hahesed hazzeh (הַחֶסֶד הַזֶּה). This specific usage of hesed refers directly to the noble act performed by the men of Jabesh-Gilead. David frames their courageous recovery and burial of Saul's body as an act of
heseddeserving ofhesedin return. - because you have done this thing: This phrase provides the explicit reason for David's praise and pledge. "This thing" refers to their specific action, underscoring its immense significance to David. It emphasizes that their initiative, valor, and respectful conduct did not go unnoticed but were fully appreciated.
Words-group analysis:
- "may the Lord show you kindness and truth": This is a theological benediction, where David, as a man after God's own heart, invokes the ultimate source of blessing. By praying for
hesedandemetfrom the Lord, David highlights God's attributes as the foundation of faithful conduct and ultimate recompense, affirming a divine mandate over his kingship. - "and I also will repay you this kindness": This clause demonstrates David's personal and kingly pledge, reflecting a key aspect of righteous leadership. He mirrors God's attributes by promising a reciprocal
hesed– human kindness reflecting divine kindness. This showcases David's strategic wisdom in consolidating support and building loyalty based on principle and gratitude. - "because you have done this thing": This phrase accentuates the meritorious and specific action that prompted David's profound response. It validates the act of burying Saul as truly honorable and worthy of profound recognition, solidifying David's standing as a king who rewards loyalty, even to a previous regime.
2 Samuel 2 6 Bonus section
- David's Leadership Principle: This verse serves as an early indication of David's empathetic and magnanimous leadership style, which differed significantly from Saul's later years. David demonstrates that his rule will be characterized by valuing loyal action and extending grace, even to those associated with his predecessor, paving the way for eventual national unity under his crown.
- Spiritual Parallel: David's statement beautifully models the concept of humans reflecting God's attributes. Just as God is full of
hesedandemet, David seeks to manifest these qualities in his earthly reign. This principle underscores that human leaders are meant to mirror divine character in their governance and relationships. - Covenant Loyalty vs. Political Expediency: While politically astute, David's response also carries deep moral and spiritual weight. He validates an act of loyalty not because it benefits him directly but because it is inherently good and righteous. This act sets a precedent for his rule where integrity and valuing the right actions are prioritized.
2 Samuel 2 6 Commentary
David's address to the men of Jabesh-Gilead in 2 Samuel 2:6 is a foundational statement of his kingship, demonstrating both his spiritual wisdom and political acumen. His first act as the anointed king of Judah, apart from moving to Hebron, is not to denounce Saul but to honor those who honored Saul. By seeking the Lord's "kindness" (hesed) and "truth" (emet) upon them, David places the divine blessing at the forefront. Hesed and emet are divine covenant qualities, reflecting God's unwavering loyal love and faithfulness. David first asks for this ultimate blessing from God for them, then immediately vows to reflect these same qualities himself, demonstrating that his leadership is patterned after God's character. His promise to "repay" (shalam) them implies a commitment to ensure their well-being and security under his rule, thereby showing respect for their unwavering loyalty, even when it was directed toward his predecessor. This shrewd and godly response helps unify the divided nation by embracing those who were loyal to Saul, signaling that true service would be rewarded and that David intended to lead with integrity and grace rather than vengeance or exclusion. It is a powerful example of honoring loyal service and showing magnanimity, laying the groundwork for David's future reign as a unified king.