2 Samuel 2:5

5 So he sent messengers to them to speak for him. The messengers said, "You were kind to bury the body of your master Saul. May the LORD bless you for that.

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 David also took his men and their families with him. They settled down in Hebron and its towns.

4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. There they anointed David to be king over the people of Judah. David was told that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul's body.

5 So he sent messengers to them to speak for him. The messengers said, "You were kind to bury the body of your master Saul. May the LORD bless you for that.

6 And may he now be kind and faithful to you. David will treat you well for being kind to Saul's body.

7 Now then, be strong and brave. Your master Saul is dead. And the people of Judah have anointed David to be king over them."