2 ¹ After this David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah?' The LORD answered, 'Go.' David asked, 'To which city?', and the answer came, 'To Hebron.' 2 ² So David went to Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail widow of Nabal of Carmel. 2 ³ David also brought the men who had joined him, with their families, and they settled in the city prob. rdg, Heb cities of Hebron. 2 ⁴ The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

Word came to David that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, 2 ⁵ and he sent them this message: 'The LORD bless you because you kept faith with Saul your lord and buried him. 2 ⁶ For this may the LORD keep faith and truth with you, and I for my part will show you favour too, because you have done this. 2 ⁷ Be strong, be valiant, now that Saul your lord is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me to be king over them.'