2 Samuel 2:7 Meaning: Called to Be Strong After Saul's Death
Now 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.”
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be ye valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
and now, are your hands strong, and be ye for sons of valour, for your lord Saul. is dead, and also--me have the house of Judah anointed for king over them.'
And now let your hands be strong, and be ye valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Meaning in one sentence
David urges the men of Jabesh Gilead to be courageous after Saul dies, inviting them to recognize his God-given kingship and find their strength in a
Context
David had just been anointed king over Judah in Hebron. When he heard that the men of Jabesh Gilead had risked their lives to recover Saul's body and give him a proper burial, he sent messengers to thank them and promise kindness. Now he takes the next step. He calls them to be strong and brave, because their old king Saul is gone and he himself has been anointed king by Judah. These men were in a vulnerable spot. They had shown loyalty to a fallen leader, and they might fear what comes next. David offers them a new place to direct their courage: his own kingship, which carries God's blessing.
Key Words
The word translated 'be strong' comes from the Hebrew chazaq. It means to grasp firmly, to hold fast, to prevail. It is not a quiet hope but an active taking hold of courage. When David says 'let your hands be strong,' he means for them to stop shaking and grip what is true.
The phrase 'be valiant' is literally 'become sons of strength' (beney chayil). It pictures a warrior's readiness: not just inner grit but a whole-hearted commitment to a cause. David is calling them to enlist, not just to feel brave.
David reminds them that Judah has 'anointed' him (mashach). This is the sacred act of pouring oil to set someone apart for God's purpose. So his kingship is not merely a political fact. It is a divine appointment. Strength, valor, and anointing belong together.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators have read this verse as both a political appeal and a pastoral word. Adam Clarke (Methodist) notes that David wanted to attach the men of Jabesh to his cause, knowing they might side with Saul's family. Cambridge Bible suggests the appeal was unsuccessful, since Gilead later became the base for David's rival Ishbosheth. Gill (Baptist) emphasizes that David encouraged them not to fear the Philistines, who might punish them for burying Saul. Matthew Henry observes that David did not demand their allegiance but invited it gently, proceeding without haste. Different traditions thus see strategy, vulnerability, or patience at work. What they share is a recognition that David speaks as God's anointed, not just as a new ruler.
A common misunderstanding
Some read David's words simply as a general call to be brave in hard times. But the verse is not about abstract courage. In fact, David is specifically asking these men to transfer their loyalty from a dead king to himself as God's anointed. The call to be strong and valiant is an invitation to recognize his kingship and find protection under it. Courage without a new allegiance misses the point.
Living This Out
This week, you may face a transition where something familiar has ended and something new begins. It could be a change in leadership at work, the loss of a trusted pastor, or the closing of a chapter in your family. David's words invite you not to cling to what is gone, but to take courage and align yourself with what God is doing next. That takes faith, especially when the new direction is not yet secure. Let your hands be strong. Turn toward the King God has placed before you.
Main takeaway: When a chapter ends, God calls us to be strong by courageously turning toward the new direction He has anointed.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
David told the men who buried Saul, “Be strong now, because I am your new king.” When things change in your life, like a new teacher or a move, you can be strong too. God has good plans for you.
For ages 9, 12
The men of Jabesh Gilead had done a brave thing: they gave King Saul a proper burial. But now they might have felt scared and unsure what to do next. David reminded them that Saul was gone, but God had anointed David as the new king. He asked them to be strong and brave. In our lives, when one chapter closes, God often opens another. He asks us to trust Him and be courageous in following where He leads.
Questions People Ask
Who were the men of Jabesh Gilead?
They were residents of a city east of the Jordan. Years earlier, Saul had rescued them from the Ammonites. After Saul's death, they bravely recovered his body from the Philistine wall and buried him. David praised them for this kindness.
Why did David want them to be strong?
David knew they were in a vulnerable spot. They had shown loyalty to Saul and might fear reprisal from the Philistines or from Saul's own family. David asked them to be courageous and put their trust in him as the newly anointed king over Judah, promising his support.
What does 'be valiant' mean in this verse?
The original Hebrew phrase is 'sons of strength' or 'sons of army.' It suggests not just personal bravery but a willingness to enlist and fight under a new leader. David was calling them to join his cause.
Was David's appeal to Jabesh Gilead successful?
It does not appear so. The following verses show that Abner, Saul's general, made Saul's son Ishbosheth king over Israel including Gilead. Still, David's gracious invitation stands as an example of seeking unity rather than demanding submission.
How does this verse apply to Christians today?
It points to the kingship of Christ. Just as David called the men to be strong and follow him as God's anointed, Christians are called to be courageous in following Jesus, the ultimate Anointed King. When old securities fail, we find our strength in allegiance to Him.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study