David Anointed King of Judah

2 Now it happened afterwards that ^(A)David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “^(B)To Hebron.” ² So David went up there, and ^(C)his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. ³ And ^(D)David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came and there ^(E)anointed David king over the house of Judah.

And they told David, saying, “It was ^(F)the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” ⁵ And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “^(G)May you be blessed of Yahweh because you have ^[a]shown this lovingkindness with your lord, with Saul, and have buried him. ⁶ So now, ^(H)may Yahweh ^[b]show lovingkindness and truth to you; and I also will ^[c]show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing. ⁷ So now, let your hands be strong and be ^[d]valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”