2. So David and his two wives moved to Hebron. (His wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who had been the wife of Nabal from Carmel.)
3. David also brought his men and their families. All of them made their homes in Hebron and the towns nearby.
4. The men of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David to be the king of Judah. Then they told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead buried Saul.”
5. David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead. These messengers told the men in Jabesh: “The Lord bless you, because you have shown kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.
6. The Lord will be kind and true to you, and so will I.
7. Now be strong and brave. Your lord, Saul, is dead, but the tribe of Judah has anointed me to be their king.”
8. Abner son of Ner was the captain of Saul’s army. Abner took Ish Bosheth son of Saul to Mahanaim
9. and made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10. Ish Bosheth son of Saul was 40 years old when he began to rule over Israel. He ruled Israel two years, but the tribe of Judah followed David.