David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing."
Saul, first king of Israel, was anointed in 1 Samuel 10. The LORD rejects Saul as king and has Samuel anoint David as king in 1 Samuel 16. (This was Before David against Goliath.) Saul loved, and then hated, David. He attempted to either have David killed, or tried to kill David himself, at least 11 times. Saul pursued David for almost two years, but when given the chance to retaliate, David spared Saul's life. (1 Samuel 24) Even when others suggested that he kill Saul, David refused, saying "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and live?" (1 Samuel 26) In 2 Samuel, David heard of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, David's best friend and Saul's son. In response, he wrote a song of lament and instructed it to be taught to and remembered by the people. After a time of mourning, David goes to Hebron to be anointed king of Judah. While there, he hears that some men treated Saul's body with respect by burying it. His response is recorded in our verses today.
So far, we've seen these words as a proclamation by God; we've seen them as a prayer back to God; we've heard them spat back in God's face in anger; and now we see them spoken as a blessing given to others. Is there anything better we could say to someone than to "wish" the dedicated, stubborn, intense, faithful love of God to be directed to them?? 💓
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