So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, “You are blessed by the Lord because you performed this act of mercy and faithfulness for your master Saul by burying him.

Now may the Lord deal with you with mercy and faithfulness. I also will treat you well because you have done this.

My faithful mercy will not depart from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed to make room for you.

David sought the Lord’s mercy for the child. David fasted and spent the night lying on the ground.

You arrived just yesterday. Today should I cause you to wander with us, when I myself do not have a plan as to where I am going? Go back and take your fellow soldiers with you. May the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness be with you.”

By providing great salvation for his King, he shows mercy to his Anointed One, to David and to his Seed forever.

David said to Gad, “This puts me in a difficult position. Please! Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great. But do not let me fall into the hands of man.”