2 Samuel 2:1

_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._ David inquired of the Lord - by Urim (1 Samuel 23:6; 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7). He knew his destination, but he knew also that the providence of God would pave the way, and therefore would take no step in such a crisis of his own and the nation's history without asking and obtaining the divine direction. He was told to go into Judah and fix his headquarters in Hebron, whither he accordingly repaired with his family and two wives. (Polygamy was tolerated in Hebrew society, but interd

CHAPTER II _David, by the direction of God, goes up to Hebron, and is_ _there anointed king over the house of Judah_, 1-4. _He congratulates the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead on their_ _kindness in rescuing the bodies of Saul and his sons from_ _the Philistines_, 5-7. _Abner anoints Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, king over Gilead, the_ _Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel; over_ _whom he reigned two years_, 8-10. _David reigns over Judah, in Hebron, seven years and six months_, 11....

ENQUIRED OF THE LORD - Through Abiathar, the high priest. The death of Saul and Jonathan had entirely changed David’s position, and therefore he needed divine guidance how to act under the new circumstances in which he was placed. Compare the marginal references. Hebron was well suited for the temporary capital of David’s kingdom, being situated in a strong position in the mountains of Judah, amidst David’s friends, and withal having especially sacred associations (see the marginal references note). It appears to have also been the center of a district 2 Samuel 2:3....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 2:1 UNTO HEBRON. As soon as David had assuaged his grief, his thoughts would naturally turn towards his country. Fuller news would reach him every day respecting the movements of the Philistines, who, after so decisive a victory, would quickly overrun all the central districts of Palestine, where the battle had been fought. And very bitter must David's feelings have been. Had he continued in Israel, he and his six hundred men would now have hastened to the rescue, and all the braver warriors of the land would have gathered round them. As it was, he was too entangled with the Philistines, and too much distrusted by the northern tribes, to be of much use. Still, we learn from 1 Chronicles 12:1; that brave men did continually

AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THIS,.... After David had heard of the death of Saul and Jonathan, and made a lamentation over them, perhaps the next day; since David and his men are only said to mourn, and weep, and fast till even, 2 Samuel 1:10; THAT DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD; of the Word of the Lord, as the Targum, by Abiathar the priest, and through the Urim and Thummim, in the ephod he had put on on this occasion: SAYING, SHALL I GO UP INTO ANY OF THE CITIES OF JUDAH? though the Lord had promised him the kingdom, and he had been anointed by Samuel by his appointment, yet he was not hasty to take it into his hands, but was desirous of acting according to the will of God, and by his direction, and wait his time when and where he should go and take possession of it; he mentions Judah because it was his own tribe, and where he had the most friends:...

2. DAVID ANOINTED KING OVER JUDAH CHAPTER 2:1-7 _ 1. David's inquiry of the Lord (2 Samuel 2:1)_ 2. Anointed king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:4) 3. His message to the men of Jabesh-gilead (2 Samuel 2:5) The first thing mentioned of David after his lamentation over Saul and Jonathan is that he inquired of the Lord. He would not do a single step towards claiming the rights which belonged to him without consulting the Lord. It shows how David, with all his faults, was in submission to the Lord. He waits on the Lord ready to follow His guidance and in this David acknowledged his complete dependence on Him who had chosen him as His King over His people. In this he is a type also of our Lord Jesus.

2 SAMUEL 2-6. (J). APART FROM MINOR ADDITIONS AND CHANGES, IT IS VERY COMMONLY HELD THAT THESE CHAPTER S FORM A CONTINUOUS NARRATIVE FROM THE SAME SOURCE. 2 Samuel 2:1 to 2 Samuel 3:5. Civil War between David, ruling at Hebron, and Ish-bosheth, ruling at Mahanaim (J). 2 SAMUEL 2:1. David occupies Hebron (Judges 1:10 *, p. 31), and is anointed king by the men of Judah, doubtless with the consent of the Philistines, and as their vassal. He thanks the men of Jabesh-gilead for their loyalty to Saul. 2 SAMUEL 2:8. Abner makes

ENQUIRED. Probably by Urim and Thummim, in the breastplate of Abiathar the High Priest, who was with David (1 Samuel 22:20). THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah._ App-4....

2 Samuel 2:1-7. David anointed King over Judah at Hebron. His message to the Gileadites 1. _after this_ After the defeat of Israel and the death of Saul and Jonathan, David saw that the way was clear for the fulfilment of God's promise that he should be king. Still he desired divine direction how to act in this crisis. He therefore "inquired of the Lord" by means of the Urim and Thummim through the High-priest Abiathar. See notes on 1 Samuel 10:22; 1 Samuel 23:6. _Unto Hebron_ The central position of Hebron in the tribe of Judah, its mountainous and defensible situation, its importance as a priestly settlement and an ancient royal city, the patriarchal associations connected with it, combined t

AND HE SAID, UNTO HEBRON— Though God had appointed David to the kingdom, he would not pretend to take upon him the administration of affairs without immediately applying himself to him, by Abiathar the high-priest, to know when and by what means he should best be put into possession of it. He was directed by God to go up to Hebron, which was situated in the midst of the tribe of Judah, on the top of a ridge of high mountains, equally famed for fruits, herbage, and honey. Mr. Sandys seems to have surveyed the whole region round it with uncommon rapture; and Dr. Shaw has considered it with singular care and attention. He observes of that region, that it is admirably fitted for olives and vineyards, and in many parts for grain and pasture. It seems, therefore, to be a region peculiarly adapted to the reception of David and his men; for there they might then dwell, as Dr. Shaw tells us the i...