February 4

Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” — 2 Sam 2:4 BSB

This mention of the men of Jabesh-Gilead brings up a touching story in the midst of ancient warfare’s brutality.

When the Philistines found the bodies of Saul and his sons on the battlefield, they took them and hung them on the walls of Beth-Shan, exposing them to public shame. But Jabesh-Gilead was a town Saul had once helped in a time of trouble. The people remembered his past kindness and, when they saw the king’s body dishonored, they retrieved it to give him a proper burial.

We should never forget the kindness others have shown us, and we should look for opportunities to repay them with kindness. Keeping our hearts warm in a world full of coldness and hardness is vital.

We do this by nurturing gentle feelings and performing acts of kindness whenever we can.