2 Samuel 2:6-16

6 May the LORD always show you kindness. I, too, will be good to you because you did this.

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.

12 Ner's son Abner and the officers of Saul's son Ishbosheth went from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

13 Zeruiah's son Joab and David's officers also left [Hebron]. Both groups met at the pool of Gibeon. They sat down there, one group on one side of the pool and the other group on the other side of the pool.

14 Abner said to Joab, "Let's have the young men hold a contest." Joab agreed.

15 The men got up and were counted as they passed by. Twelve were from the tribe of Benjamin (representing Saul's son Ishbosheth), and twelve were from David's officers.

16 Each one grabbed his opponent by the head, stuck his sword into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. Therefore, that place in Gibeon is called the Field of Enemies.

2 Samuel 2:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 2

This chapter relates that David, upon inquiring of the Lord, was directed to go up to Hebron, and did, where he was anointed king of Judah, 2Sa 2:1-4. And that being told of the kindness of the men of Jabeshgilead in burying Saul, he sent them thanks, and promised to remember it, and took the opportunity to let them know he was anointed king over Judah, 2Sa 2:5-7. It also relates that Abner set up Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, to be king over Israel, 2Sa 2:8-11; and that there was an encounter between twelve of Abner's men and twelve of David's, which brought on a sore battle between them, in which Abner was beaten, 2Sa 2:12-17; and Asahel, who was of David's party, was slain in the pursuit by Abner, 2Sa 2:18-25; when a retreat was sounded by Joab, at the influence of Abner, who, with his wen, betook themselves to Mahanaim, where he had left Ishbosheth, 2Sa 2:26-29. And the chapter closes with an account of the slain on both sides, the burial of Asahel, and the return of Joab with David's men to Hebron, 2Sa 2:30-32.