One of the first acts of the new-crowned monarch was to express his tender regard for the memory of Saul and Jonathan. Upon learning of the brave deed of the men of Jabesh-gilead in rescuing the bodies of the fallen leaders and giving them honorable burial, David sent an embassy to Jabesh with the message, 698 "Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness." And he announced his own accession to the throne of Judah and invited the allegiance of those who had proved themselves so truehearted.

En af den nye konges første handlinger var at hædre Sauls og Jonatan minde. Da David fik at vide, at mændene i Jabesj i Gilead havde vovet livet for at hente liget af deres faldne overhoveder og give dem en hæderlig begravelse, sendte han sendebud til Jabesj med disse ord: "Herren velsigne Eder, fordi I således viste godhed mod Eders herre Saul og jordede ham. Måtte nu Herren vise Eder godhed og trofasthed! Men også jeg vil gøre godt imod Eder, fordi I gjorde dette." Derpå meddelte han dem, at han selv var blevet konge over Juda og opfordrede disse tapre mænd til at vise ham troskab.