And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
The seven years and six months of David's reign in Hebron over the house of Judah was a troubled beginning, for soon after the men of Judah acknowledged him as king, Abner influenced Israel to place Saul's son Ishbosheth on a rival throne. David's authority rested on God's choice, yet it was opposed, so that Israel stood divided between rival kings. That whole period was the time of the long war between the house of David and the house of Saul. In that conflict David grew steadily stronger while the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.
The seven years and six months of David's reign in Hebron over the house of Judah was a troubled beginning, for soon after the men of Judah acknowledged him as king, Abner influenced Israel to place Saul's son Ishbosheth on a rival throne. David's authority rested on God's choice, yet it was opposed, so that Israel stood divided between rival kings. That whole period was the time of the long war between the house of David and the house of Saul. In that conflict David grew steadily stronger while the house of Saul grew steadily weaker.