Kindness & Truth
So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “You are blessed of the Lord, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him. And now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.” - 2 Samuel 2:5-6
The men of Jabesh Gilead had been faithful to Saul. They did not allow the Philistines to leave Saul and his sons hanging on their wall, to bring shame to the nation of Israel. They went and got the bodies, burned them and buried the bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh (1 Samuel 31:11-13).
Why did they do this? In 1 Samuel 11, Jabesh Gilead had come under attack from Nahash the Ammonite. They sent word to Saul and he delivered them from Nahash. The people of Jabesh Gilead remained faithful to Saul, because of the kindness he showed them.
Notice, because of their faithfulness to Saul and his sons, David said, “…may the Lord show kindness and truth to you.” Kindness and truth are the twin virtues in the Old Testament. The word kindness speaks of loving-kindness and the word truth means “faithfulness, reliability, and trustworthy behavior.”
Look at the character of David. There is no bitterness in him. He rewarded the men for their kindness. He said, “God will bless you and I will bless you.” Do you love and appreciate the people who show kindness to you? Do you bless your friends and enemies? Think about it.
Kindness always brings its own reward. The kind person will seldom be without friends.
~J. C. Ryle~
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