1. After this, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord replied to him: Go up. Then David asked, “Where shall I go?” He replied: To Hebron.
2. So David went up there, with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel.
3. David also brought up his men with their families, and they dwelt in the towns of Hebron.
4. Then the men of Judah came there and anointed David king over the house of Judah.A report reached David that the people of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul.
5. So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead and said to them: “May you be blessed by the Lord for having done this kindness to your lord Saul in burying him.
6. And now may the Lord show you kindness and fidelity. For my part, I will show generosity to you for having done this.
7. So take courage and prove yourselves valiant, for though your lord Saul is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
8. Abner, son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, took Ishbaal, son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim,
9. where he made him king over Gilead, the Asherites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and the rest of Israel.
10. Ishbaal, son of Saul, was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years; but the house of Judah followed David.
11. In all, David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah seven years and six months.
12. Now Abner, son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbaal, Saul’s son, set out from Mahanaim for Gibeon.