John Gill Commentary 2 Samuel 2:5

"And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of Jehovah, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him." — 2 Samuel 2:5 (ASV)

And David sent messengers to the men of Jabeshgilead
To return them thanks for their courage and boldness in rescuing the bodies of Saul and his sons out of the hands of the Philistines, and for their civility in the burial of them:

and said to them, blessed are you of the Lord ;
which may be considered either as a wish, the Lord bless you for it, or as a prediction, the Lord will bless you:

that you have showed this kindness to your lord, [even] to Saul ,
and have buried him .
To bury the dead, with the Jews, was always reckoned an instance of humanity and kindness, and indeed of piety; an act done in imitation of God ^F26 , who buried Moses, and so it might be expected the divine blessing would attend it.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F26: T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 32. 2. and Sotah, fol. 14. 1.