1. Afterward David inquired of the Lord, “Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord told him, “Go up.” David asked, “Where should I go?” The Lord replied, “To Hebron.”
2. So David went up, along with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, formerly the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
3. David also brought along the men who were with him, each with his family. They settled in the cities of Hebron.
4. The men of Judah came and there they anointed David as king over the people of Judah.David was told, “The people of Jabesh Gilead are the ones who buried Saul.”
5. So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh Gilead and told them, “May you be blessed by the Lord because you have shown this kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.
6. Now may the Lord show you true kindness! I also will reward you, because you have done this deed.
7. Now be courageous and prove to be valiant warriors, for your lord Saul is dead. The people of Judah have anointed me as king over them.”
8. Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim.
9. He appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
10. Ish-bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he began to rule over Israel. He ruled two years. However, the people of Judah followed David.