Bible Strands
2 Samuel 2:5
So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David sends formal envoys to the men of Jabesh-gilead immediately after the elders of Judah anoint him king at Hebron. He addresses them to acknowledge their recent burial of Saul.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח (va/i.yishlach) means "and he sent," establishing David's deliberate dispatch of representatives. The noun מַלְאָכִ֔ים (mal'akhim) translates to "messengers," indicating official diplomatic communication rather than casual contact.
The thread — The blessing formula echoes 1 Samuel 23:21 and Psalms 115:15, while the theme of covenant loyalty mirrors the kindness described in Ruth 2:20. These passages collectively frame reciprocal faithfulness under divine blessing.
Why it lands — The text records David's public recognition of a past act of loyalty before establishing his new royal authority. It requires the reader to observe how political legitimacy in the narrative is initially grounded in gratitude rather than coercion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh–gilead, 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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 23:21 “May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me.
- Psalms 115:15 May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Ruth 2:20 Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the LORD, who has not withdrawn His kindness from the living or the dead.” Naomi continued, “The man is a close relative. He is one of our kinsman-redeemers.”
- Ruth 3:10 Then Boaz said, “May the LORD bless you, my daughter. You have shown more kindness now than before, because you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
- 1 Samuel 24:19 When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go away unharmed? May the LORD reward you with good for what you have done for me this day.
- 1 Samuel 25:32 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day!
- Ruth 1:8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you to your mother’s home. May the LORD show you loving devotion, as you have shown to your dead and to me.