2 Samuel 2:7 kjv

Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

2 Samuel 2:7 nkjv

Now therefore, let your hands be strengthened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."

2 Samuel 2:7 niv

Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them."

2 Samuel 2:7 esv

Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."

2 Samuel 2:7 nlt

Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king."

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 7 Meaning

David sends a message of blessing and encouragement to the men of Jabesh-gilead. He commends their profound loyalty in giving Saul a proper burial and assures them that their allegiance to Saul is acknowledged. He then calls on them to be strong and courageous, acknowledging Saul's death as a closed chapter and presenting himself as the legitimate, newly anointed king over Judah, thereby inviting their future loyalty and support.

2 Samuel 2 7 Context

Following the tragic deaths of King Saul and his sons in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 31), David receives the news and expresses profound lament. In 2 Samuel 2, David inquires of the Lord where he should go, and the Lord directs him to Hebron, in Judah. Upon arriving, the men of Judah anoint him as their king. Immediately prior to verse 7, David learns that the brave men of Jabesh-gilead recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons and properly buried them. David blesses them for this act of unwavering "hesed" (steadfast love/loyalty) towards their former king, setting the stage for his appeal in verse 7. This verse is David's shrewd and gracious opening to extend his reign beyond Judah and begin the long process of unifying the divided kingdom.

2 Samuel 2 7 Word analysis

• "Now therefore" (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה, wəʿattah): This conjunction indicates a logical conclusion or transition. It functions to introduce a directive or exhortation based on the preceding information, in this case, the acknowledgment of their past loyalty and the reality of Saul's death and David's anointing. It connects David's commendation with his call to action.
• "let your hands be strong" (Hebrew: תֶּחֱזַקְנָה יְדֵיכֶם, teḥĕzaqnāh yədêḵem): An idiom signifying "take courage," "be resolute," "act with determination," or "be firm." It's an encouragement to not be disheartened by Saul's death but to steel themselves for what is to come. It implies preparation for future action, perhaps defense, or simply assuming an active role in the new political landscape. This phrase is common in calls to service or battle throughout Scripture.
• "and be valiant" (Hebrew: וִהְיוּ לִבְנֵי חָיִל, wihyû livnê ḥayil): Literally, "and be sons of valor" or "become men of strength/ability." The Hebrew word ḥayil (חָיִל) is rich in meaning, encompassing strength, might, courage, efficiency, and wealth. Here, "sons of valor" points to an embodiment of courage, military prowess, and strong character suitable for leadership or significant action. It's a call to actively demonstrate manly fortitude and skill.
• "for Saul your lord is dead" (Hebrew: כִּי מֵת שָׁאוּל אֲדֹנֵיכֶם, kî mēṯ šāʾûl ʾădōnêḵem): "For" (kî) indicates the reason or justification for the preceding exhortation. David plainly states the unavoidable truth of Saul's death. Calling Saul "your lord" acknowledges their faithful allegiance, signaling respect for their past covenant without condemnation. It highlights the shift in circumstances that necessitates new leadership and loyalty.
• "and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them" (Hebrew: גַּם כִּי אֹתִי מָשְׁחוּ בֵּית יְהוּדָה לְמֶלֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶם, gam kî ʾōṯî māšḥû bêṯ Yəhûḏâ ləmeleḵ ʿălêhem):
  • "anointed" (מָשְׁחוּ, māšḥû): This term carries significant religious and political weight. Anointing with oil symbolized a divine appointment and consecration for a specific role (prophet, priest, king). It conveyed divine approval and legitimacy, distinguishing a king from mere human leaders.
  • "the house of Judah" refers to the tribe or kingdom of Judah, David's own tribe, who first recognized and formally invested him with kingship at God's direction.
  • "king over them" establishes David's current sphere of recognized authority. This declaration serves as both an explanation for the vacuum in leadership and David's immediate claim to legitimate succession, based on anointing rather than mere military strength or inherited right. It's an implicit invitation for Jabesh-gilead to now acknowledge and support his anointing, transferring their loyalty.

2 Samuel 2 7 Bonus section

• David's Strategic Mercy: David's message here is a masterstroke of political and spiritual wisdom. Instead of viewing the men of Jabesh-gilead as Saul's partisans to be punished or ignored, he publicly honors their "hesed" (loyal love). This not only endeared him to them but also sent a powerful message to all other tribes: David values loyalty, even loyalty shown to his predecessor, and is a king of grace and consolidation, not revenge. This foreshadows his broader strategy of reconciliation rather than retribution as he unites Israel.
• God's Hand in Transition: While David is politically astute, the narrative underscores God's sovereignty. Saul is dead because God allowed it, and David is king because God chose and anointed him (1 Sam 16). David's reference to the anointing by Judah underscores that his rise to power is not simply human ambition but has divine sanction and initial popular affirmation from his own tribe.
• The King as "Anointed One": The use of "anointed" is critical. It elevates David beyond a mere successor or warlord; he is Yahweh's "Messiah" or "anointed one," foreshadowing the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. This foundation for his kingship is divinely rooted, even as he builds human alliances.

2 Samuel 2 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:7 reveals David's nuanced and astute leadership at a pivotal moment. He commendably recognizes the noble loyalty of the men of Jabesh-gilead to the fallen King Saul, an act deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern concept of covenant faithfulness, particularly after their previous rescue by Saul (1 Sam 11). David doesn't rebuke them for their allegiance but honors it. This demonstrates his gracious and strategic nature, contrasting sharply with how a ruthless leader might deal with former loyalists.

The core of the verse is David's call to future loyalty, grounded in a new reality: "Saul your lord is dead." This declaration frees them from their previous obligation. David then asserts his divinely sanctioned authority: "and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." The act of anointing (Hebrew mashach) was central to Israelite kingship, signifying divine election and legitimation, elevating the chosen ruler above any mere human appointment. David's wisdom is evident as he presents his legitimacy not as a usurper, but as the one now chosen and acknowledged by God through his tribe. This diplomatic outreach aims to win over Jabesh-gilead, bridging potential divisions and laying the groundwork for a united kingdom under God's chosen shepherd, demonstrating the balance of godly wisdom, strength, and grace crucial for leadership in God's plan.