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.
11. David ruled over the tribe of Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months.
12. Abner son of Ner and the officers of Ish Bosheth son of Saul left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.
13. Joab, Zeruiah’s son, and the officers of David also went to Gibeon. They met Abner and Ish Bosheth’s officers at the pool of Gibeon. Abner’s group sat on one side of the pool. Joab’s group sat on the other side.
14. Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young soldiers get up and have a contest here.” Joab said, “Yes, let’s have a contest.”