2 Samuel 2:1-10

New International Version

David Anointed King Over Judah

2 In the course of time, David inquired^(A) of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,”^(B) the Lord answered.

² So David went up there with his two wives,^(C) Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail,^(D) the widow of Nabal of Carmel. ³ David also took the men who were with him,^(E) each with his family, and they settled in Hebron^(F) and its towns. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron,^(G) and there they anointed^(H) David king over the tribe of Judah.

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

War Between the Houses of David and Saul^(M)

⁸ Meanwhile, Abner^(N) son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth^(O) son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.^{(P) 9} He made him king over Gilead,^(Q) Ashuri^(R) and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.^(S)

¹⁰ Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David.