This salutation was customary in the East, to express regard and reverence, as well as affection, Genesis 29.13; Ruth 1.14; Acts 20.37 . Sometimes the beard was kissed, 2 Samuel 20:9; and in token of humble affection, the feet, Luke 7:38 . Images and the heavenly bodies were worshipped by kissing the hand towards them, 1 Kings 19:18 Job 31:27 Hosea 13:2 . The expression, "Kiss the Son," Psalm 2:12 , may be illustrated by 1 Samuel 10:1 , where king Saul receives the kiss of allegiance from Samuel. This salutation being customary in those days between man and man, was used in the early church as a pledge of Christian peace and charity, Romans 16:16 1 Peter 5:14 .