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.
11. The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
12. Once Abner son of Ner and the troops of Saul’s son Ish-bosheth went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13. Meanwhile Joab son of Zeruiah and the troops of David went out—they met each other by the pool of Gibeon, so they sat down, one group on one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14. Then Abner said to Joab, “Now let the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
15. Then they got up and came forward by number—12 for Benjamin and for Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and 12 from David’s servants.
16. Then each grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they all fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17. The battle was very fierce that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before David’s servants.