2 Samuel 2:1-7: a reflection

1After this, David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” The LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.” 2So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 3David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron. 4The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.” 5David 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. 6Now may the LORD show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing. 7Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

When David becomes king over Judah, one of his first acts is to notice and honor a kindness that others had shown, even to his rival Saul. Hearing that the men of Jabesh Gilead had shown the kindness of burying Saul, David sends them a message of blessing: Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. Now may the LORD show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness. David takes the trouble to notice a good thing others had done, to name it, bless it, and promise to repay it. He did not overlook their kindness or take it for granted; he honored it, commended those who did it, and blessed them. There is grace in noticing the kindness others show, in taking the trouble to name and honor the good they do rather than letting it pass unremarked. To notice and honor the kindness others do is a gracious thing David modeled here. He blessed those who showed kindness.

Notice what David took the trouble to do: to notice, name, and honor the kindness others had shown. He did not let the good deed of the men of Jabesh pass unremarked; he sent them a message of blessing, commended their kindness, and promised to reward it. This is a gracious habit worth learning: to notice the kindness and good that others do, to take the trouble to name it and honor it, rather than letting it pass unnoticed or taking it for granted. Much kindness goes unremarked, unthanked, unhonored; but David noticed, and blessed those who had done good. To take the trouble to see and commend the kindness of others is a grace that honors them and gladdens them, and reflects a heart attentive to the good in others rather than blind to it. We can pass over the kindness others do, or take it for granted; but there is grace in noticing it, naming it, and honoring it, as David did. To see and bless the good others do is a gracious thing. Noticing kindness honors those who show it.

That is worth taking to heart, for there is grace in noticing and honoring the kindness that others do, rather than letting it pass unremarked. We can pass over the kindness and good that others do, taking it for granted or failing to notice it; but David took the trouble to notice, name, and honor the kindness the men of Jabesh had shown, blessing them for it. To notice and honor the kindness others do is a gracious habit that honors and gladdens them. Do not let the kindness others show pass unnoticed or unremarked; take the trouble to see it, name it, and honor it, as David blessed the men of Jabesh. Take the trouble to notice, name, and honor the kindness that others do rather than letting it pass unremarked or taking it for granted, as David blessed the men of Jabesh Gilead for the kindness they had shown even to Saul; for much kindness goes unnoticed and unthanked, and there is grace in taking the trouble to see the good others do, to commend and bless it, which honors and gladdens them and reflects a heart attentive to the good in others rather than blind to it, so that to notice and honor the kindness of others is a gracious thing worth practicing.

Lord, when David becomes king over Judah, one of his first acts is to notice and honor a kindness that others had shown, even to his rival Saul. Hearing that the men of Jabesh Gilead had shown the kindness of burying Saul, David sends them a message of blessing: Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. Now may the LORD show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness. David takes the trouble to notice a good thing others had done, to name it, bless it, and promise to repay it. He did not overlook their kindness or take it for granted; he honored it. Show me what David took the trouble to do: to notice, name, and honor the kindness others had shown. He did not let the good deed of the men of Jabesh pass unremarked; he sent them a message of blessing, commended their kindness, and promised to reward it. This is a gracious habit worth learning: to notice the kindness and good that others do, to take the trouble to name it and honor it, rather than letting it pass unnoticed. Much kindness goes unremarked, unthanked; but David noticed, and blessed those who had done good. To see and bless the good others do reflects a heart attentive to the good in others. Take that to my heart, for there is grace in noticing and honoring the kindness that others do. I can pass over the kindness and good that others do, taking it for granted or failing to notice it; but David took the trouble to notice, name, and honor the kindness the men of Jabesh had shown. Keep me from letting the kindness others show pass unnoticed or unremarked; help me take the trouble to see it, name it, and honor it, Lord, as David blessed the men of Jabesh, that I may honor and gladden those who do good and be attentive to the good in others.