2 Samuel 2:5 Study Bible: David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, "Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.

◄ 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.

Study Bible

So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead
David's action of sending messengers demonstrates his leadership and diplomatic skills. Jabesh-gilead was a city east of the Jordan River, in the territory of Gilead. Historically, this city had a strong connection to Saul, as he had previously rescued them from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11). David's outreach to them shows his respect for Saul and his desire to unify the kingdom, acknowledging the loyalty of Jabesh-gilead to Saul.

to tell them, “The LORD bless you,
David invokes the LORD's blessing, which reflects his deep faith and recognition of God's sovereignty. This blessing is significant as it aligns with the biblical principle of honoring those who act righteously. It also sets a tone of peace and goodwill, which is crucial for David as he seeks to establish his rule over all Israel.

because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord
The kindness referred to is the burial of Saul, which was an act of loyalty and respect. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, proper burial was a significant duty, and the men of Jabesh-gilead risked their lives to retrieve and bury Saul's body (1 Samuel 31:11-13). This act of kindness is highlighted by David, who acknowledges their loyalty to Saul, despite Saul's downfall.

when you buried him.
The burial of Saul by the men of Jabesh-gilead was a courageous act, as it involved retrieving his body from the Philistines. This act not only honored Saul but also maintained the dignity of Israel. In biblical times, burial was an important cultural and religious practice, and by ensuring Saul's proper burial, the men of Jabesh-gilead demonstrated their faithfulness to their king and to God. David's recognition of this act underscores the importance of honoring the dead and the values of loyalty and respect.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
The anointed king of Israel, known for his heart after God. At this point, he is consolidating his rule over Judah and later all of Israel.

2. Men of Jabesh-gilead
Residents of a city in Gilead, east of the Jordan River. They showed loyalty and respect by retrieving and burying the bodies of Saul and his sons after their defeat by the Philistines.

3. Saul
The first king of Israel, whose death marked a significant transition in Israel's leadership. Despite his troubled relationship with David, he was still recognized as the Lord's anointed.

4. Jabesh-gilead
A city with historical ties to Saul, as he had previously rescued them from the Ammonites, creating a bond of loyalty.

5. Messengers
Individuals sent by David to convey his gratitude and blessings to the men of Jabesh-gilead, demonstrating diplomatic and spiritual leadership.

Teaching Points

Respect for Authority
David's blessing of the men of Jabesh-gilead underscores the importance of respecting and honoring those in authority, even after their fall.

Gratitude and Recognition
David's message highlights the value of expressing gratitude and recognizing the good deeds of others, fostering community and goodwill.

Peacemaking and Reconciliation
By blessing the men of Jabesh-gilead, David sets an example of peacemaking and reconciliation, crucial for healing and unity.

Legacy of Kindness
The actions of the men of Jabesh-gilead remind us that acts of kindness and loyalty can leave a lasting legacy and impact.

God's Blessing
David's invocation of God's blessing reflects the belief that true blessings come from the Lord, encouraging us to seek His favor in our actions.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does David's response to the men of Jabesh-gilead reflect his character and leadership style?

2. In what ways can we show respect and honor to those in authority, even when we disagree with them?

3. How can we actively practice gratitude and recognition in our daily interactions with others?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation in our communities?

5. How can we ensure that our acts of kindness leave a lasting impact and reflect God's love to those around us?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Samuel 31
Describes the battle where Saul and his sons died and the subsequent actions of the men of Jabesh-gilead in retrieving and burying their bodies.

1 Samuel 11
Recounts Saul's rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites, establishing the loyalty and gratitude of the people towards Saul.

Matthew 5:9
Jesus' teaching on peacemakers being blessed, which parallels David's blessing of the men of Jabesh-gilead for their peacemaking actions.

Sermons

Strength and Weakness	H. E. Stone.	2 Samuel 2:1-32
Commendation	B. Dale	2 Samuel 2:4-7
Gratitude and Policy	G. Wood	2 Samuel 2:5-7
Attempts At Conciliation Defeated	W. G. Blaikie, M. A.	2 Samuel 2:5-32

People

Abigail, Abishai, Abner, Ahinoam, Asahel, Asherites, Ashurites, Asshurites, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Benjamites, David, Gibeon, Ishbosheth, Jabesh, Jezreel, Jezreelitess, Jizreelitess, Joab, Nabal, Ner, Saul, Zeruiah

Places

Ammah, Arabah, Bethlehem, Carmel, Giah, Gibeon, Gilead, Hebron, Helkath-hazzurim, Jabesh-gilead, Jezreel, Jordan River, Mahanaim

Topics

Act, Bless, Blessed, Blessing, Body, Buried, Bury, Burying, David, Gilead, Jabesh, Jabeshgilead, Jabesh-gilead, Ja'besh-gil'ead, Kind, Kindness, Loyalty, Master, Messengers, Rest, Saul, Shewn, Showed, Showing, Shown

Dictionary of Bible Themes

2 Samuel 2:5

8291 kindness

Library

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The King.
We have now to turn and see the sudden change of fortune which lifted the exile to a throne. The heavy cloud which had brooded so long over the doomed king broke in lightning crash on the disastrous field of Gilboa. Where is there a sadder and more solemn story of the fate of a soul which makes shipwreck "of faith and of a good conscience," than that awful page which tells how, godless, wretched, mad with despair and measureless pride, he flung himself on his bloody sword, and died a suicide's death, …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

This Affection the Martyrs of Christ Contending for the Truth did Overcome...
10. This affection the Martyrs of Christ contending for the truth did overcome: and it is no marvel that they despised that whereof they should, when death was overpast, have no feeling, when they could not by those tortures, which while alive they did feel, be overcome. God was able, no doubt, (even as He permitted not the lion when it had slain the Prophet, to touch his body further, and of a slayer made it to be a keeper): He was able, I say, to have kept the slain bodies of His own from the dogs …
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead.

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 17.) Differently to be admonished are the meek and the passionate. For sometimes the meek, when they are in authority, suffer from the torpor of sloth, which is a kindred disposition, and as it were placed hard by. And for the most part from the laxity of too great gentleness they soften the force of strictness beyond need. But on the other hand the passionate, in that they are swept on into frenzy of mind by the impulse of anger, break up the calm of quietness, and so throw into …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links

2 Samuel 2:5 NIV
2 Samuel 2:5 NLT
2 Samuel 2:5 ESV
2 Samuel 2:5 NASB
2 Samuel 2:5 KJV

2 Samuel 2:5 Commentaries

Bible Hub