David Becomes King of Judah

David asked Yahweh whether he should go up to one of the cities of Judah. Yahweh told him to go, and when David asked where, the answer was Hebron. So David went there with Ahinoam and Abigail, and his men also came, each with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron.

There, the men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul, he sent messengers to bless them for showing kindness to Saul. He told them to be strong and brave, and said that the house of Judah had anointed him king.

But the people were not united. Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth son of Saul to Mahanaim and made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. Ishbosheth reigned two years, while the house of Judah followed David. David was king in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months.

Then Abner and Ishbosheth’s servants went from Mahanaim to Gibeon, and Joab and David’s servants met them by the pool there. Twelve men from each side stepped forward, and every one of them fell. After that, a very hard battle began, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before David’s servants.

As the fighting went on, Asahel chased Abner and would not turn aside, even when Abner warned him again and again. Abner struck Asahel, and Asahel died there. Joab and Abishai kept pursuing Abner until Abner called for the fighting to stop. Joab blew the trumpet, and the chase ended. David’s side had lost Asahel and nineteen others, but Abner’s side lost many more.

So a long war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David. David’s house grew stronger, while Saul’s house grew weaker. During David’s time in Hebron, six sons were born to him there: Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, and Ithream.