2 Samuel 2:1

Translations

Modern

Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD.

Traditional

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired 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.

Literal

And it came to pass after this that David inquired of YHWH, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And YHWH said to him, “Go up.” And David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

Latin

Igitur post hæc consuluit David Dominum, dicens: Num ascendam in unam de civitatibus Juda? Et ait Dominus ad eum: Ascende. Dixitque David: Quo ascendam? Et respondit ei: In Hebron.

Original

Hebrew

English

Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD.

Notes

2 Samuel 2:1

David asked the Lord for guidance (see 2 Samuel 5:23–24; Judges 1:1–2; 20:18; 1 Samuel 10:22). He did this by consulting the Urim and Thummim (see Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 14:41). Abiathar, David’s priest, administered them (1 Samuel 23:1–12; 30:7–8). David acted only when God directed him. He did not act before receiving guidance.
Hebron was about thirty kilometers (nineteen miles) southwest of Jerusalem. Abraham lived in this area for a time and later bought a nearby cave as a family burial place (Genesis 23). The people of this region supported David (see 1 Samuel 30:26–31).

2 Samuel 2:1–32

After Saul died, those loyal to David (the tribe of Judah) came into conflict with those loyal to Saul’s son Ish-bosheth (the remaining tribes of Israel).

At this time, the Philistines controlled much of the land west of the Jordan River. They likely encouraged this division among the Israelites because a divided people were easier for them to control.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Events

Reign of Davidc. 1055 BC

Related verses

Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
1 Samuel 30:31
…and to those in Hebron and in all the places where David and his men had roamed.
Psalm 143:8
Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
1 Samuel 23:2
So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
Genesis 32:2
When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim.
1 Samuel 23:4
Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
1 Samuel 23:9–12
When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”
Ezekiel 36:37
This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock.
Joshua 14:13–15
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.
2 Samuel 15:7
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD.
Numbers 13:22
They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.
2 Samuel 2:11
And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Hebron: An important city in Judah; burial place of patriarchs

Glossary

City of David David David, City of Gilead (Place) Hebron (Place) Ishbosheth Judah, Tribe of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Seeking Counsel from God Before Battle David: King of Israel: David Goes to Hebron, and is Anointed King by Judah Hebron: A City of the Tribe of Judah, South of Jerusalem: David Crowned King of Judah At Israel: (Foreshadowing Circumstances Indicating the Separation): Disagreement After Saul's Death Prayer: Answered: David, Asking Whether he should Go Into Judah After Saul's Death Saul: King of Israel: Their Bodies Exposed in Beth-Shan Tribe of Judah: Make David King

2 Samuel 2:1

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Original?

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People

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Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics