2 Samuel 2:9

9 Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 2:9

And he made him king over Gilead
Which lay beyond Jordan, and included the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh; these he prevailed upon to acknowledge Ishbosheth, their king, and proclaimed him king over them:

and over the Ashurites:
that is, those of the house or tribe of Asher, as the Targum, and indeed none else can well be thought of; some indeed read the Geshurites, as the Vulgate Latin version; but these were never expelled by the Israelites, and had at this time a king over them, ( 2 Samuel 3:3 ) ; see ( Joshua 13:13 ) ;

and over Jezreel;
the great plain which went along the borders of Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali, and included these tribes:

and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin:
the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin:

and over all Israel,
excepting the tribe of Judah; that is, he prevailed first on one of these, then on another, until he got all the tribes of Israel to own him for their king; David all this time being still and quiet, and not opposing him, waiting God's own time to open the way for his possession of the kingdom over all Israel, and having a strict regard to his oath to Saul, ( 1 Samuel 24:21 1 Samuel 24:22 ) .

2 Samuel 2:9 In-Context

7 Now, be strong and courageous. Because your master Saul is dead, the tribe of Judah has anointed me to be their king."
8 Ner's son Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Saul's son Ishbosheth and brought him to Mahanaim.
9 Abner made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin, that is, all Israel.
10 Saul's son Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king of Israel. He ruled for two years, but the tribe of Judah followed David.
11 In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.
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