⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron,^(A) and there they anointed^(B) David king over the tribe of Judah.

When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead^(C) who had buried Saul, ⁵ he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The Lord bless^(D) you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. ⁶ May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness,^(E) and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. ⁷ Now then, be strong^(F) and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

¹² he went and took the bones of Saul^(A) and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead.^(B) (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan,^(C) where the Philistines had hung^(D) them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.)^{(E) 13} David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.

¹⁴ They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela^(F) in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that,^(G) God answered prayer^(H) in behalf of the land.^(I)