2 Samuel 2:6

And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) I also will requite you.—David’s message of kindness and blessing is quite in accordance with his whole bearing towards Saul and his house, and. at the same time, was one of wise policy. The literal rendering is, I also show you this good, the Hebrew not conveying directly the idea of future recompense, as in the English. The thought is that David, as now the rightful king of Israel, appreciates the act, and wishes to show publicly his favour to the men of Jabesh-gilead. He then, in the following verse, suggests the propriety of their now recognising him as the successor of their lost monarch and friend.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:1-7. After the death of Saul, many went to David at Ziklag,

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

David had already been anointed by Samuel 1 Samuel 16:13. His first anointing indicated God's secret purpose, his second the accomplishment of that purpose. (Compare the case of Saul, 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 11:14.) David was anointed again king over Israel 2 Samuel 5:3. The interval between the anointing of the Lord Jesus as the Christ of God, and His taking to Himself His kingdom and glory, seems to be thus typified.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5-7. David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead—There can be no doubt that this message of thanks for their bold and dangerous enterprise in rescuing the bodies of Saul and his sons was an expression of David's personal and genuine feeling of satisfaction. At the same time, it was a stroke of sound and timely policy. In this view the announcement of his royal power in Judah, accompanied by the pledge of his protection of the men of Jabesh-gilead, should they be exposed to danger for their adventure at Beth-shan, would bear an important significance in all parts of the country and hold out an assurance that he would render them the same timely and energetic succor that Saul had done at the beginning of his reign.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Kindness and truth, i. e. true and real kindness; not in words only, but also in actions, as you have now done to your king, the Lord’s anointed.

I also will require you this kindness; so far am I from being offended with you for this kindness to my late enemy, that I will requite it.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you,.... Or true kindness; confer real favours, bestow upon you good and substantial blessings, blessings indeed!

and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. He not only prayed to God to bless them and reward them for it, but would remember them himself, and at a proper opportunity would show favour to them for this act of kindness to Saul. De Dieu proposes to consideration whether it may not be as well interpreted to this sense, "and I also do you this kindness" because of it; that is, have done you this honour by sending messengers to you, to thank you for it, and by wishing a blessing upon you on account of it, and by praising and commending you for it; but the former sense seems best.

Geneva Study Bible

And now the LORD shew kindness and {d} truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

(d) According to his promise, which is to repay those who are merciful.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

6. the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you] Kindness and truth, i.e. mercy and faithfulness, are attributes of God’s character often coupled together. See Exodus 34:6; Psalm 25:10; Psalm 40:11; Psalm 57:3; Psalm 86:15, &c.

I also will requite you this kindness] Render, I also will shew you this good, viz. the honourable embassy of thanks, and the friendly spirit which it attested.

2 Samuel 2:6

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

"And now," sc., that ye have shown this love to Saul your lord, "may Jehovah show you grace and truth." "Grace and truth" are connected together, as in Exodus 34:6, as the two sides by which the goodness of God is manifested to men, namely in His forgiving grace, and in His trustworthiness, or the fulfilment of His promises (vid., Psalm 25:10). "And I also show you this good," namely the prayer for the blessing of God (2 Samuel 2:5), because ye have done this (to Saul). In 2 Samuel 2:7 there is attached to this the demand, that now that Saul their lord was dead, and the Judaeans had anointed him (David) king, they would show themselves valiant, namely valiant in their reverence and fidelity towards David, who had become their king since the death of Saul. ידיכם תּחזקנה, i.e., be comforted, spirited (cf. Judges 7:11). It needed some resolution and courage to recognise David as king, because Saul's army had fled to Gilead, and there was good ground for apprehending opposition to David on the part of Abner. Ishbosheth, however, does not appear to have been proclaimed king yet; or at any rate the fact was not yet known to David. וגם does not belong to אתי, but to the whole clause, as אתי is placed first merely for the sake of emphasis.