Day 42: 2 Samuel 2:3–7

David brought the men who were with him, each one with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron (v. 3).

At least fifteen years had passed since Samuel went to the home of Jesse and anointed the young shepherd. As chapter 2 begins to unfold, David is thirty years old.

Let’s see what has transpired “in the course of time” (v. 1).

God instructed David to go to Hebron, a region rich in biblical history. It has been occupied almost continually since around 3300 bc. Hebron is located in the hill country of Judah about nineteen miles to the south of the city of Jerusalem. Some very important people and events are connected with Hebron.

Abraham settled in Hebron and built an altar to God (Gen. 13:18). There God spoke to Abram through three visitors and told him Sarah would bear a child (Gen. 18:1–15). Joshua gave Hebron to Caleb as his inheritance (Josh. 14:13). God chose to write some rich history on the map of Hebron, not the least of it in the life of David. Second Samuel 2:3 says, “David . . . with his family . . . settled in Hebron.”

Settled. Nice word, isn’t it? One that extends the invitation to rest awhile and put down a few roots.

David had been on the move constantly for years. God had probably been his only comfort. After settling in Hebron, “the men of Judah came . . . and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah” (v. 4).

What a significant moment in the life of our subject! At last, his private anointing from years earlier became public! He was anointed king over “the house of Judah,” his first step to reigning as king over the entire nation of Israel.

From the moment David became king over the house of Judah, he began his official works of diplomacy. He sent word to the men of Jabesh Gilead expressing his appreciation for their “kindness to Saul” (v. 5) and pledged his favor to them.

But not all could be accomplished by words of diplomacy and pledges of protection. The entire nation of Israel would ultimately have to be under his authority. Much like Joshua in an earlier day, the land was to be David’s, but he would have to take some of it by force.