Others Join David at Hebron

²³ These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron^(A) to turn^(B) Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the Lord had said:^(C)

David’s Mighty Warriors^(A)

¹⁰ These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel,^(B) gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised^(C)—

³ David also took the men who were with him,^(A) each with his family, and they settled in Hebron^(B) and its towns. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron,^(C) and there they anointed^(D) David king over the tribe of Judah.

When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead^(E) who had buried Saul,

Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn^(A) for Saul, since I have rejected^(B) him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil^(C) and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse^(D) of Bethlehem. I have chosen^(E) one of his sons to be king.”

³ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show^(A) you what to do. You are to anoint^(B) for me the one I indicate.”

¹⁴ and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned^(A) the kingdom^(B) over to David son of Jesse.

David Becomes King Over Israel^(C)

11 All Israel^(D) came together to David at Hebron^(E) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.^(F) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd^(G) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.^(H)’”

³ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed^(I) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Becomes King Over Israel^(A)

5 All the tribes of Israel^(B) came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.^{(C) 2} In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.^(D) And the Lord said^(E) to you, ‘You will shepherd^(F) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.^(G)’”

³ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant^(H) with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed^(I) David king over Israel.