1 It happened after this that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up there…
David Made King over Judah
David anointed King of Judah: 1:1-7. The tribe from which David springs now recognizes him as king.
War between David and Saul’s family: 2:1-3:5. Abner, Saul’s army commander, apparently holds off Ish-Bosheth’s coronation for some years (cf. 2 Sam. 2:10 with 5:5). A long war simmers, with David growing stronger while his rival is weakened.
4 Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
David Fights against the Forces of Saul
8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth [1]the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel. 10 Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.
… 17 So there was a very fierce battle that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.
25 Now the children of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became a unit, and took their stand on top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?” 27 And Joab said, “As God lives, unless you had spoken, surely then by morning all the people would have given up pursuing their brethren.” 28 So Joab blew a trumpet; and all the people stood still and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. … And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak.
2 Samuel 2:9 speaks of “all Israel.” This is a significant turning point in history. From now on “Israel” will often be used to identify all the tribes north of Judah’s territory. Along this line, rivalry will grow, and ultimately the nation will be partitioned into two often hostile kingdoms.
During these years of strife between David and Ish-Bosheth a blood feud develops between Abner and David’s commander, Joab.
8 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ishbosheth [1]the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
On Hebron (Article written by David Wilder, a resident of Hebron)
–> David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
When the Lord said “Go up.” David did not rush out. He asked a follow up question to find out exactly where he needed to go. He inquired of the Lord not just for general direction but for specific details as well.
I see God’s hand holding one human’s hand, like a child, and leading him to a place to go. I live not far from a road called “Hebron” in Carrollton, Texas. It is a major road connecting Carrollton, Lewisville, and Plano, the 3 major cities in Dallas Fort Worth area. Someone named the road Hebron to be reminded of the place in Israel where Abraham was buried and David was anointed as King. I hope they won’t change the name like they did with the senior apartment near it from Corinthians to Emerson!