2 Samuel 2:5

5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said to them, "May you be blessed by Yahweh because you did this loyal love with your lord, with Saul, and you 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 Also, David brought up his men who [were] with him, each {with} his household, and they settled in the towns of Hebron.

4 Then the men of Judah came, and they anointed David there as king over the house of Judah, and they told David, "The men of Jabesh-Gilead buried Saul."

5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said to them, "May you be blessed by Yahweh because you did this loyal love with your lord, with Saul, and you buried him.

6 Now may Yahweh show loyal love and faithfulness with you. I will also show the good with you that you have done in this matter.

7 So then, let your hands be strong and {be valiant}, for your lord Saul [is] dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me as king over them."