2 Samuel 2:1

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 to render it the most suitable capital for the new kingdom, while the North was held partly by the Philistines, partly by Saul's adherents. In its neighbourhood moreover David had spent a considerable part of his fugitive life, and gained many supporters. See 1 Samuel 30:31, and note there.