1. Now it came to pass after this that David inquired of Adonai saying, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” Adonai said to him, “Go up.” “Where shall I go up?” David asked. “To Hebron,” He said.
2. So David went up there, along with his two wives—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
3. David also brought up his men that were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns of Hebron.
4. Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. Then they told David saying, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.”
5. So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “Blessed are you of Adonai for showing this kindness to Saul your lord, by burying him.
6. So now may Adonai show you kindness and faithfulness; and I also will show you goodness because you have done this thing.
7. Now therefore, be strong and brave, for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
8. Now Abner son of Ner, Saul’s army commander, had taken Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9. Then he made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.
10. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was 40 years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. But the house of Judah followed David.