II Samuel 2
David's Thoughts
The celebration in my honor as the new king of Judah continued for days.
Saul, the king of Israel had been killed in battle, and God allowed my men and I to return to Judah. Once the elders of Judah heard we'd returned, they gathered and anointed me king of Judah.
During the dancing and singing a man from Judah came to me with important news.
He bowed. "My lord, I didn't know if you'd heard this news."
"Yes, go on."
"It was the men of Jabesh Gilead who buried Saul. First, they gathered together, allowing any man who wished to go on the dangerous mission. They went behind enemy lines to the Philistine city where Saul and his son's bodies hung in horrible display, cut down the bodies, and carried them safely to Jabesh.
"The bodies were laid to rest under the same tree Saul had spent meditating many days. It seemed the fitting burial place. The men then mourned deeply for a time."
He was right, I had not known my brothers from Jabesh had risked their lives to honor Saul and his sons. Especially Jonathan. I had to speak with them at once.
"Go to Jabesh and deliver this message to those very men:
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. Because of your deed, may your hands be strengthened, and be valiant. Your master Saul is dead, and now the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.
Once the messenger left, I stopped the music. "Listen everyone. I have great news about the mighty men of Jabesh, our brothers. Let me tell you what they did!" I repeated the whole story.
Hardly before I finished the last word a new celebration broke out to honor our brothers from Jabesh who sacrificed their lives to honor their king.
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1. Why did the people celebrate in the beginning?
2. What news did the man tell David?
3. Why did the news please David?
4. David's message to the men of Jabesh told them three things: he wanted to honor them, their master _____________ was dead, ____________ had anointed __________ king over them.
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