2 Samuel Chapter 2

“And it came to pass after this, etc.] 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, (<100110>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…”

“DAVID, BY GOD'S DIRECTION, GOES UP TO HEBRON, AND IS MADE KING OVER JUDAH. (Sa2 2:1-7) David inquired of the Lord--By Urim (Sa1 23:6, Sa1 23:9; Sa1 30:7-8). He knew his destination, but he knew also that the providence of God would pave the way. Therefore he 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 now considerable force. There his interests were very powerful; for he was not only within his own tribe, and near chiefs with…”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Enquired - By Urim. Thus David begins at the right end, and lays his foundation in God's counsel and assistance. Shall I go - He asked not whether he should take the kingdom; for that was appointed before; and he would not offend God, nor dishonour his ordinance with unnecessary enquiries; but only where he should enter upon it; whether in Judah, as he supposed, because of his relation to that tribe, and his interest in it; or in some other tribe: for he doth not limit God, but resolves exactly to follow his counsels. Hebron - Which was next to Jerusalem (part whereof the Jebusites now possessed) the chief city…”

“2:1-32 After Saul died, those loyal to David (the tribe of Judah) clashed with those loyal to Saul’s son Ishbosheth (the remaining tribes of Israel). The Philistines, who at this time were essentially overlords of all Palestine west of the Jordan River, likely favored and encouraged this division because it made it easier for them to divide and conquer. 2:1 David asked the Lord (cp. 5:23-24; Judg 1:1-2; 20:18; 1 Sam 10:22) by consulting the Urim and Thummim (see Exod 28:30; Lev 8:8; Deut 33:8; 1 Sam 14:41) administered by Abiathar, David’s priest (1 Sam 23:1-12; 30:7-8). David acted when God directed, not before.…”

“inquired: Sa2 5:19, Sa2 5:23; Num 27:21; Jdg 1:1; Sa1 23:2, Sa1 23:4, Sa1 23:9-12, Sa1 30:7, Sa1 30:8; Psa 25:4, Psa 25:5; Psa 27:4, Psa 143:8; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6; Eze 36:37 Hebron: Sa2 2:11, Sa2 5:1-3, Sa2 15:7; Gen 32:2; Num 13:22; Jos 14:14, Jos 14:15; Sa1 30:31; Kg1 2:11; Ch1 29:7 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:2”

“David's return to Hebron, and anointing as king over Judah. - Sa2 2:1. "After this," i.e., after the facts related in 2 Samuel 1, David inquired of the Lord, namely through the Urim, whether he should go up to one of the towns of Judah, and if so, to which. He received the reply, "to Hebron," a place peculiarly well adapted for a capital, not only from its situation upon the mountains, and in the centre of the tribe, but also from the sacred reminiscences connected with it from the olden time. David could have no doubt that, now that Saul was dead, he would have to give up his existing connection with the…”