2 Samuel 2:5

5 David sent messengers to the men of Ja'besh-gil'ead, 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 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 2:5

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead
To return them thanks for their courage and boldness in rescuing the bodies of Saul and his sons out of the hands of the Philistines, and for their civility in the burial of them:

and said unto them, blessed [be] ye of the Lord;
which may be considered either as a wish, the Lord bless you for it, or as a prediction, the Lord will bless you:

that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, [even] unto Saul,
and have buried him.
To bury the dead, with the Jews, was always reckoned an instance of humanity and kindness, and indeed of piety; an act done in imitation of God ^F26, who buried Moses, and so it might be expected the divine blessing would attend it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 32. 2. and Sotah, fol. 14. 1.

2 Samuel 2:5 In-Context

3 And David brought up his men who were with him, every one with his household; and they dwelt in the towns of Hebron.

4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, "It was the men of Ja'besh-gil'ead who buried Saul,"

5 David sent messengers to the men of Ja'besh-gil'ead, and said to them, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord, and buried him!

6 Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you! And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.

7 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."