2 Samuel 2:5 Meaning: Honoring Saul

Three Hebrew words anchor this verse. First, barak, “blessed.” It originally meant to kneel, then to bestow favor. David does not just compliment the men; he calls down God’s own blessing on them. Second, chesed, “kindness.” This is no small politeness. It is the sturdy, loyal love that holds a covenant together. The same word appears in Ruth 1:8, where Naomi prays that God would show chesed to her daughters-in-law for their care of the dead. Third, adon, “lord.” Even after all Saul had done, David still calls him “your lord.” That word carries weight. David is not pretending. He is deliberately honoring the office Saul held, and the man Saul once was.

Commentators across traditions have seen both heart and strategy in David’s words. Adam Clarke, a Methodist writer, called it “a generous and noble act, highly indicative of the grandeur of David’s mind.” He noted David respected Saul as his legitimate king, even after injury. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, from a Protestant background, agreed it was “an expression of David’s personal and genuine feeling of satisfaction,” but also called it “a stroke of sound and timely policy.” John Gill, a Baptist, pointed out that burying the dead was always seen as an act of piety in Israel. These voices do not argue over which motive was real. They simply describe a moment where grace and wisdom worked together.

Some readers assume David’s blessing was just a political move, that he had no real respect for Saul and was only trying to win over Saul’s supporters. In fact, David had consistently honored Saul as the Lord’s anointed, even when Saul was chasing him to kill him (see 1 Samuel 24:6). That lifelong pattern of respect makes his blessing here believable. He could be both genuine and strategic; the two are not enemies.

You may have someone in your life who has wronged you deeply. A boss who made work miserable. A family member who chose conflict over peace. When that person faces hardship or passes away, what do you say? David shows us a third way: you can speak well of them without pretending the hurt never happened. You can honor the good they did, the role they filled, and the people who loved them. It frees you. It does not erase the past, but it lets you move forward without carrying bitterness. This week, when someone asks about a difficult person in your life, try speaking one true and kind thing about them. See what it does to your heart.