Now let your hands be strengthened - David certainly wished to attach the men of Jabesh to his interest; he saw that they were generous and valiant, and must be of great service to him whose part they espoused; and he was no doubt afraid that they would attach themselves to the house of Saul, in consideration of the eminent services Saul had rendered them in rescuing them from Nahash, king of the Ammonites.

Now therefore let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant,.... And not be afraid of the Philistines, who might resent their conduct in taking away from them the bodies of Saul and his sons, whom they had hung up in triumph; and these men might fear they would bring their armies against them, and destroy them; but David bids them be of good heart and courage, and not be afraid of them:

for your master Saul is dead; or rather "though" (a) he is dead; for that he was dead they knew full well, having buried him, and needed no information of it; but being dead, they might be discouraged, as having none to protect and defend them, or come to their relief as he did, should they be attacked:

and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them; or "for even", or "notwithstanding" (b); and this therefore being the case, he would take their parts, and help and assist them; and which he suggests to them, to invite them to own him as their king also, and put themselves under his protection.

(a) "licet enim", V. L. "quamvis", Piscator. So Pool and Patrick. (b) "tamen", V. L. "nam similiter", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

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 {e} king over them.

(e) So that you shall not want a captain and a defender.

2:7 Be valiant - Be not afraid lest the Philistines should punish you for this fact, but take good courage, I will defend you. For, and c. - Or, though your master Saul be dead, and so your hearts may faint, as if you were now sheep without a shepherd.

be ye...: Heb. be ye the sons of valour

2:1-7. After the death of Saul, many went to David at Ziklag,