1. And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.
3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household; and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.
5. And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.
6. And now the Lord show kindness and truth unto you, and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.
7. Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
8. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9. And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10. Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Golden Text: “The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice.” Ps. 97:1.
NOTE.—The lessons this quarter are from Old Testament history, resuming where they were left six months ago, in the study of David’s career. It will be well in entering anew upon this study to note a few points in review concerning David’s experience to the time of this lesson: (1) Early life and training. (2) Anointing, when eighteen or twenty years old. (3) The battle with Goliath. (4) Life at court, his friendship with Jonathan, and Saul’s anger. (5) Life in exile, fleeing from Saul, seven years. (6) Death of Saul and Jonathan, and David’s grief. The time of the present lesson is about 1055 B.C.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What inquiries did David make of the Lord, and what replies did he receive? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Who went with David? Verses 2, 3. (3) What did the men of Judah do? Verse 4. Note 2. (4) What did they tell him? Same verse. (5) For what purpose did David send messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead? Verse 5. Note 3. (6) What did he say concerning his feeling toward them? Verse 6. (7) In what words did he admonish them? Verse 7. Note 4. (8) What course did Abner pursue? Verses 8, 9. Note 5. (9) How old was Ish-bosheth at this time? and how long did he reign? Verse 10. Note 6. (10) How long did David reign at Hebron? Verse 11.
NOTES.
1. At the time of the death of Saul on Mt. Gilboa David was at Ziklag, a town in the southern part of the Philistine country, southwest of Hebron. He and his band of 600 had gone north with the invading Philistine army in their march against Saul. But the Philistine leaders distrusted him, and fearing that he might attack their rear, instead of fighting against Saul, sent him back to Ziklag. He found this town ravaged by Amalekite marauders, who had found the south country defenseless. David immediately pursued them, overcame them, and gained possession of the immense spoil they were carrying away. At this juncture news came of the death of Saul and Jonathan. He then inquired of the Lord as to his proper course, probably through the high priest Abiathar, who held to his cause. Hebron was well suited to be the capital of the new kingdom, situated as it was in an easily defended mountainous district, eighteen miles south of Jerusalem.
2. DAVID had already been anointed by Samuel, but this was his public, formal inauguration by the people.
3. DAVID’S course was a conciliatory one, most designed to bring about a desired state of peace, and create friendship with the various tribes and factions. Before coming to Hebron, he had sent presents to the local heads of districts throughout Judea, and he now sent friendly messages to the Jabesh-gileadites. These men had rescued the bodies of Saul and his three sons from the Philistines, who had hung them upon the wall of Beth-shan, and burned them, so that they could suffer no further indignity. David steadfastly honored the memory of Saul, because, as he said, he was “the Lord’s anointed.”
4. In the last clause note a suggestion of invitation to place themselves under his standard.
5. ABNER was the cousin of Saul, captain of his host, a great general, and a shrewd politician. In every way it would be to his advantage to retain the kingdom to the house of Saul. If he went to David, the captaincy was already filled by Joab. But if he could securely seat Ish-bosheth, the eldest surviving son of Saul, upon the throne, his own power would be almost absolute, as Ish-bosheth was a weak man, with no kingly spirit. Mahanaim was a walled city of Gilead, east of the Jordan, on the Jabbok. This was among the two and a half tribes. At this time the main part of the kingdom was in the hands of the Philistines, but gradually Ish-bosheth’s nominal sway was extended so as to include what afterwards formed the kingdom of Israel as distinguished from that of Judah.
6. The duration of his reign is probably reckoned from the time when Abner succeeded in establishing his authority over all Israel. Five years and a half were occupied altogether in the re-conquest. These two years synchronize with the last two of David’s reign at Hebron.
