Davidsentmessengersto the menof Jabesh-gilead,and saidto them, "May you be blessedof the LORDbecauseyou have shownthiskindnessto Saulyour lord,and have buriedhim.
He blessedhim and said,"Blessedbe Abramof GodMostHigh,Possessorof heavenand earth;
Abramsaidto the kingof Sodom,"I have swornto the LORDGodMostHigh,possessorof heavenand earth,
"You came[only] yesterday,and shall I todaymake you wanderwith us, while I gowhereI will? Returnand takebackyour brothers;mercyand truthbe with you."
then Davidwentand tookthe bonesof Sauland the bonesof Jonathanhis sonfrom the menof Jabesh-gilead,whohad stolenthem from the opensquareof Beth-shan,wherethe Philistineshad hangedthem on the daythe PhilistinesstruckdownSaulin Gilboa.
May you be blessedof the LORD,Makerof heavenand earth.
So the mensaidto her, "Our lifefor yours ifyou do not tellthisbusinessof ours; and it shall comeabout when the LORDgivesus the landthat we will dealkindlyand faithfullywith you."
And they said,"Whatoneis there of the tribesof Israelwhodid not comeup to the LORDat Mizpah?"And behold,noonehad cometo the campfrom Jabesh-gileadto the assembly.
And Naomisaidto her twodaughters-in-law,"Go,returneachof you to her mother'shouse.May the LORDdealkindlywith you as you have dealtwith the deadand with me.
Naomisaidto her daughter-in-law,"May he be blessedof the LORDwhohas not withdrawnhis kindnessto the livingand to the dead."Again Naomisaidto her, "The manis our relative,he is one of our closestrelatives."
Then he said,"May you be blessedof the LORD,my daughter.You have shownyour lastkindnessto be betterthanthe firstby not goingafteryoungmen,whetherpoororrich.
Now Nahashthe Ammonitecameup and besiegedJabesh-gilead;and allthe menof Jabeshsaidto Nahash,"Makea covenantwith us and we will serveyou."
They saidto the messengerswho had come,"Thusyou shall sayto the menof Jabesh-gilead,'Tomorrow,by the time the sunis hot,you will havedeliverance.'"So the messengerswentand toldthe menof Jabesh;and they were glad.
Samuelcameto Saul,and Saulsaidto him, "Blessedare you of the LORD!I have carriedout the commandof the LORD."
Saulsaid,"May you be blessedof the LORD,for you have hadcompassionon me.
"For ifa manfindshis enemy,will he let him goawaysafely?May the LORDtherefore rewardyou with goodin returnfor whatyou have doneto me thisday.