David, King of Judah

Some time later, David inquired of the Lord:(A) “Should I go to one of the towns of Judah?”

The Lord answered him, “Go.”

Then David asked, “Where should I go?”

“To Hebron,”(B) the Lord replied.

So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.(C) In addition, David brought the men who were with him, each one with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron.(D) Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.(E) They told David: “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”(F)

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “The Lord bless you, because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. Now, may the Lord show kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. Therefore, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

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David Moves to Hebron

It happened after this that David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah?” And Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” So David went up there along with[a] his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel[b] and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. Also, David brought up his men who were with him, each with[c] his household, and they settled in the towns of Hebron.

David Anointed King over Judah at Hebron

Then the men of Judah came, and they anointed David there as king over the house of Judah, and they told David, “The men of Jabesh-Gilead buried Saul.” So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-Gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by Yahweh because you did this loyal love with your lord, with Saul, and you buried him. Now may Yahweh show loyal love and faithfulness with you. I will also show the good with you that you have done in this matter. So then, let your hands be strong and be valiant,[d] for your lord Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me as king over them.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 2:2 Literally “and also”
  2. 2 Samuel 2:2 Literally “the Jezreelitess”
  3. 2 Samuel 2:3 Literally “and”
  4. 2 Samuel 2:7 Literally “as sons of ability”