2 Samuel 2: David Becomes King of Judah

David asks God where to go, and God sends him to Hebron. The men of Judah anoint David king. Abner makes Saul's son Ishbosheth king over Israel, and fighting begins between the two sides until Abner asks Joab to stop.

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World English Bible · 32 verses

¹ After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Joab the son of Zeruiah and David’s servants went out, and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Abner said to Joab, “Please let the young men arise and compete before us!” Joab said, “Let them arise!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ They each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Asahel pursued Abner. He didn’t turn to the right hand or to the left from following Abner.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” He answered, “It is.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ Abner said to him, “Turn away to your right hand or to your left, and grab one of the young men, and take his armor.” But Asahel would not turn away from following him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn away from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I look Joab your brother in the face?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ However, he refused to turn away. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there and died in the same place. As many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. The sun went down when they had come to the hill of Ammah, that lies before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ The children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner and became one band, and stood on the top of a hill.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Then Abner called to Joab, and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Don’t you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long will it be then, before you ask the people to return from following their brothers?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people stood still and pursued Israel no more, and they fought no more.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah; and they passed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and came to Mahanaim.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Joab returned from following Abner; and when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen men of David’s and Asahel were missing.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ But David’s servants had struck Benjamin and Abner’s men so that three hundred sixty men died.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² They took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men went all night, and the day broke on them at Hebron.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

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Open Preschool on its own page

2 Samuel 2 · Preschool

David Asks God

Name Date

Color King David's crown! David asked God what to do.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”

2 Samuel 2:1 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: David asked God where to go. We can ask God for help too.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Samuel 2 · Grade 4

Two Kings

Name Date

Read and Think

David had been promised the throne, yet after Saul died he still asked God before he moved. God sent him to Hebron, and the men of Judah anointed him king there. David ruled over Judah in Hebron for seven years and six months.

David showed kindness to those who had shown kindness to Saul. The men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul, so David blessed them and asked God to show them loving kindness and truth.

Meanwhile Abner, the captain of Saul's army, made Saul's son Ishbosheth king over the rest of Israel. The two armies met at the pool of Gibeon, and a severe battle followed. Asahel, who was as fast as a wild gazelle, chased Abner and was killed. Finally Abner called out, asking how long the sword would devour. Joab blew the trumpet, and the fighting stopped for that day.

Show What You Know

How long did David rule Judah from Hebron?
How did David treat the men of Jabesh Gilead?
Who did Abner make king over Israel?
What was Asahel as fast as?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

truthHebronGodkindnessJudah

David had been promised the throne, yet after Saul died he still asked before he moved.
God sent him to , and the men of Judah anointed him king there.
David ruled over in Hebron for seven years and six months.
David showed to those who had shown kindness to Saul.
The men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul, so David blessed them and asked God to show them loving kindness and .

Think About It

David asked God before making a big move. What decision could you pray about before you act?
Abner asked how long the sword would devour. Why does fighting between brothers bring so much sorrow?

Memory Verse

After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”

2 Samuel 2:1 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for showing me which way to go. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Who can you send a thank-you note to this week?
What does David's waiting teach about trusting God's plan?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Samuel 2 · Grade 5

David Inquired of the Lord

Name Date

Read and Think

Second Samuel 2 shows David waiting on God. Even though Samuel had anointed him years before, David did not seize the throne. He inquired of the Lord, and God answered with a single place: Hebron. There the men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah.

David's first act as king was a message of blessing to the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had buried Saul. He praised their kindness and prayed that the Lord would show them loving kindness and truth. In this way David honored Saul's memory and reached out to people who had been loyal to Saul.

But the kingdom was divided. Abner, Saul's commander, set up Ishbosheth as king over Israel. At the pool of Gibeon a contest between young men turned into a severe battle. Abner killed Asahel, Joab's brother, who would not stop chasing him. As the sun went down, Abner called to Joab and asked whether the sword would devour forever. Joab blew the trumpet, and the people stopped pursuing their brothers. Yet the seeds of a long war had been planted.

Show What You Know

What did David do instead of seizing the throne?
What was David's first act as king?
Why was that message wise?
Who set up Ishbosheth as king?
Why was Asahel killed?

Crossword

Across

They anointed David king over the house of ____.
They ____ David king over the house of Judah.
He said, To ____.

Down

Captain of Saul's army.
Leader of David's men, son of Zeruiah.

Think About It

David waited for God's timing even though he knew he would be king. What is hard about waiting for God's timing?
Abner said the sword would bring bitterness in the end. Where do you see quarrels that only make things worse, and how could peace begin?

Memory Verse

After this, David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Yahweh said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”

2 Samuel 2:1 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for showing me which way to go. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you earn people's trust without pushing them around?
How can a leader show kindness to people who were on the other side?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Samuel 2: David Becomes King of Judah

Read 2 Samuel 2

Worksheets

David Asks God

Prayer

Take It Home

Ask God

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

David Asks God

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

David Becomes King

Prayer

Take It Home

David Asks God First

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

King in Hebron

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

David Becomes King

Prayer

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Two Kings

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

David Inquired of the Lord

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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