2 Samuel 2:1-7

New International Reader's Version

David Is Anointed to Be King Over Judah

2 After Saul and Jonathan died, David asked the Lord for advice. “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where should I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

² So David went up there with his two wives. Their names were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel. Abigail was Nabal’s widow. ³ David also took his men and their families with him. They made their homes in Hebron and its towns. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. There they anointed David to be king over the people of Judah.

David was told that the men from Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul’s body. ⁵ So he sent messengers to them to speak for him. The messengers said, “You were kind to bury the body of your master Saul. May the Lord bless you for that. ⁶ And may he now be kind and faithful to you. David will treat you well for being kind to Saul’s body. ⁷ Now then, be strong and brave. Your master Saul is dead. And the people of Judah have anointed David to be king over them.”