The actions of the people of Jabesh-gilead

Jabesh-gilead was the town that provided the opportunity for Saul to establish his authority as king (ref. 1 Sam. 11). (1) This town was located on the east bank of the Jordan River. (2) Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, besieged the town and insisted that he would make a peace treaty only on the condition that the right eye of every inhabitant be gouged out. (3) The elders of the town sent word of this dire situation throughout all Israel, seeking deliverance. (4) Saul, who was in Gibeah, heard the news and took action. In response to his call, 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men from Judah gathered. (5) Saul’s army defeated the Ammonites through a surprise attack. The people of Jabesh-gilead never forgot the kindness Saul had shown them.

David’s actions

The news that the people of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul reached David. At that moment, David made a wise decision as a leader. Those in positions of authority can learn many valuable lessons from David’s actions. (1) David praised the people of Jabesh-gilead for not forgetting their lord Saul’s kindness and for bravely retrieving his body and giving him an honorable burial. Recognizing and commending praiseworthy actions is a crucial quality for a leader. (2) David prayed for God’s blessing upon them and also promised to repay their kindness with goodness. Jabesh-gilead belonged to the northern ten tribes and was naturally in opposition to David, who was based in Hebron in Judah. However, David extended goodwill toward the town. (3) David encouraged them, urging them to stand strong and face the Philistine threat with courage. (4) He also informed them that although Saul had died, he himself had been anointed as king by the tribe of Judah. This reveals David’s intention to reconcile the northern and southern tribes and to unify the kingdom under his rule. David knew how to win people’s hearts. What lessons can you learn from his actions?