David Anointed King of Judah at Hebron
2 Samuel 2:1-7
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
Jude
Revelation
2 S.2.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- כן: ADV
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- האעלה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,m,sg
- באחת: PREP
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנה: ADV,interrog
- אעלה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חברנה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Sam.23.2-4 (verbal): Same narrative formula — “David inquired of the LORD” about whether to go up to a town (Keilah). Parallel instance of David seeking divine guidance about movement and action.
- 1 Sam.30.8 (verbal): Another close verbal parallel: David again asks the LORD by inquiry (“Shall I pursue...?”). Shows recurring pattern of David consulting Yahweh before decisive moves.
- 2 Sam.5.3 (structural): Continues and completes the Hebron episode: the elders anoint David king over all Israel in Hebron. Connects 2:1’s instruction to go to Hebron with the later establishment of David’s kingship.
- 1 Chron.11.1-3 (quotation): Chronicles retells the assembly at Hebron and the anointing of David as king. A parallel retelling of the outcome when David goes to Hebron after inquiring of the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some time after this David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" The LORD said to him, "Go up." David asked, "To which shall I go up?" He said, "To Hebron."
- After this David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up into one of the cities of Judah?” The LORD said to him, “Go up.” David asked, “To which shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”
2 S.2.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- נשיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m
- אחינעם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היזרעלית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ואביגיל: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- נבל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכרמלי: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 25:43 (verbal): Explicitly records David taking Abigail and Ahinoam as his wives—same two women named here (connects the marriage event and names).
- 1 Samuel 30:5 (verbal): States that 'David's two wives' were taken when Ziklag was raided by the Amalekites, referring to the same two wives (Ahinoam and Abigail) mentioned in 2 Sam 2:2.
- 2 Samuel 3:2 (structural): Names David's sons born in Hebron and identifies their mothers (Amnon by Ahinoam; Chileab/Daniel by Abigail), linking the wives of 2 Sam 2:2 to David's household and offspring.
- 1 Chronicles 3:1 (structural): Genealogical listing that associates David's sons with their mothers (Ahinoam and Abigail), providing a parallel record of the same wives and their place in David's family line.
Alternative generated candidates
- So David went up there, and his two wives also—Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
- So David went up there, and his two wives with him—Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
2 S.2.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנשיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,constr
- חברון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 2:4 (structural): Immediate continuation: the men of Judah come to Hebron and anoint David king over the house of Judah, directly following David and his household settling there.
- 2 Samuel 5:3 (thematic): Later summary of the same development: Israelites acknowledge David’s rule beginning in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months.
- 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 (verbal): Parallel Chronicle account: all Israel assembles at Hebron and makes David king, retelling the same transfer of David’s household and the establishment of his rule.
- 1 Chronicles 12:38-40 (verbal): Lists the men who joined David at Hebron and states that ‘all the rest of Israel were of one heart to make David king,’ paralleling the gathering and settlement in Hebron.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household; and they settled in the towns of Hebron.
- And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household; they lived in the cities of Hebron.
2 S.2.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וימשחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויגדו: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קברו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3m
- את: PRT,acc
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (quotation): Records the action itself: the men of Jabesh‑Gilead recovered and buried Saul and his sons — the event 2 Sam 2:4 says was reported to David.
- 1 Samuel 11:1-11 (thematic): Describes Saul’s rescue of Jabesh‑Gilead earlier; explains the community’s loyalty and motive for honoring Saul by retrieving and burying him.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 (verbal): Samuel’s anointing of David uses the same verb and motif of legitimating kingship, parallel to Judah’s anointing of David at Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 5:3 (structural): A later, corresponding scene in which all Israel (not only Judah) anoints David king — contrasts the regional anointing in 2 Sam 2:4 with the national settlement of kingship.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the men of Judah came and anointed David there king over the house of Judah. It was reported to David, saying, "The men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul..."
- The men of Judah came and anointed David there king over the house of Judah. It was reported to David, “The men of Jabesh‑gilead have buried Saul.”
2 S.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ברכים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- החסד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אדניכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקברו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (verbal): Direct earlier report of the men of Jabesh‑gilead recovering Saul’s body, burning it and burying his bones — the event David commends here.
- 1 Chronicles 10:11-12 (verbal): Parallel summary of the same episode (Saul’s death and the actions of Jabesh‑gilead), reiterating the burial and the people's deed.
- 2 Samuel 2:6-7 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: David promises to show kindness to Jabesh‑gilead for honoring Saul, repeating and acting on the commendation in v.5.
- 2 Samuel 9:1-13 (thematic): David’s practice of showing loyal kindness (chesed) in response to obligations to Saul/Jonathan — here applied to Mephibosheth for Jonathan’s sake, thematically parallel to rewarding Jabesh‑gilead.
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (thematic): Later account concerning the burial/return of Saul’s and Jonathan’s bones and the honoring of the dead — echoes the theme of giving proper burial and respect to a fallen king.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, saying to them, "May the LORD bless you, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, in burying him.
- David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh‑gilead and said to them, “May the LORD be praised for you— you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, in burying him.
2 S.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 9:1-3 (thematic): David seeks to show kindness (chesed) to the house of Jonathan because of his covenantal obligations — parallels the promise in 2 Sam 2:6 to repay kindness shown to him.
- Proverbs 3:3 (verbal): Uses the paired virtues 'steadfast love (chesed) and faithfulness/loyalty (emet)'—the same verbal pairing invoked in 2 Sam 2:6.
- Psalm 85:10 (verbal): States that 'steadfast love (chesed) and faithfulness (emet) meet,' echoing the coupling of chesed and emet found in 2 Sam 2:6 and highlighting their moral/theological importance.
- 1 Samuel 24:21-22 (structural): David makes an oath/arrangement with Saul's household to secure reciprocal protection and kindness—structurally parallel to his appeal for kindness and his promise to repay it in 2 Sam 2:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore may the LORD deal kindly and truly with you; and I too will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing.
- And now may the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness; and I too will repay you this good, for you have done this thing.”
2 S.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- תחזקנה: VERB,qal,juss,2,mp
- ידיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לבני: PREP
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- אדניכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,mp
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- משחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Sam 2:4 (structural): Immediate parallel within the narrative: the men of Judah come and anoint David king over the house of Judah—the same event David cites in 2 Samuel 2:7.
- 2 Sam 5:3 (thematic): Later development and fulfillment: all the tribes of Israel anoint David king over Israel, extending the kingship that began when Judah anointed him.
- 1 Chr 11:3 (thematic): Chronicles' parallel account of the leaders/elders of Israel coming to Hebron and anointing David—another retelling of the transition to Davidic rule.
- 1 Sam 31:6 (thematic): Report of Saul's death (he falls on his sword) — the factual basis for David's claim that 'your master Saul is dead' and the context for the shift of loyalty.
- 1 Sam 16:13 (allusion): Samuel's earlier anointing of David as God's chosen king; contrasts the prophetic/ceremonial anointing with the later tribal/political anointing mentioned in 2 Samuel 2:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now then, be strong and be men of valor, for your lord Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
- Now therefore be strong, and show yourselves men of valor; for your lord Saul is dead, and the men of Judah have anointed me king over them.
And it came to pass afterward that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." And David said, "Where shall I go up?" And he said, "To Hebron." So David went up there, he and his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And his men who were with him—every man with his household—David brought up, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And it was told David, saying, "The men of Jabesh-gilead, who buried Saul... And David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, "May the LORD bless you for having shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, in that you buried him. And now may the LORD show you kindness and faithfulness; and I also will surely repay you this good, because you have done this thing. Now therefore be strong, and let your hands be strengthened; for your lord Saul is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.