2. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
3. And David brought up his men who were with him, each one with his household, and they dwelt in the towns of Hebron.
4. And the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, The men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul. [I Sam. 31:11-13.]
5. And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, saying, May the Lord bless you because you showed kindness and loyalty to Saul your king and buried him.
6. And now may the Lord show loving-kindness and faithfulness to you. I also will do well by you because you have done this.
7. So now, let your hands be strengthened and be valiant, for your master Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.
8. Now Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9. And he made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10. Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was forty years old when he began his two-year reign over Israel. But the house of Judah followed David.
11. And David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah for seven years and six months.
12. And Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13. Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out also; and the two groups met by the pool of Gibeon, seating themselves with one group on either side of the pool.
14. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise and have a contest before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15. Then there arose and went over by number–twelve of Benjamin who were with Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16. And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his side; so they all fell together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Knives, which is at Gibeon.
17. A very fierce battle followed, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.