2 Samuel 2:4

“And the men of Judah came, etc.] The inhabitants of the tribe of Judah came from the several parts of it to Hebron, that is, the principal of them, the elders of each city: and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah; they did not take upon them to make him king over all Israel, but left the rest of the tribes to act for themselves; and no doubt in this they had the mind of David, who was not willing to force himself upon the people at once, but by degrees get the whole government into his hands, as Providence should make his way; these men knew the kingdom was promised to their tribe, from (<014910>Genesis 49:10); and were quite clear in what they did, and, without question,…”

“David had already been anointed by Samuel 1 Samuel 16:13. His first anointing indicated God’s secret purpose, his second the accomplishment of that purpose. (Compare the case of Saul, 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 11:14.) David was anointed again king over Israel 2 Samuel 5:3. The interval between the anointing of the Lord Jesus as the Christ of God, and His taking to Himself His kingdom and glory, seems to be thus typified. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Anointed - This they did upon just grounds, because not only the kingdom was promised to that tribe, but David was designed and anointed by God, whose will both they and all Israel were obliged to obey. And they resolved not to neglect their duty, though they saw the other tribes would. Yet their modesty is observable, they make him king of Judah only, and not of all Israel. And therefore there was need of a third anointing to the kingdom over all Israel, which he had Sa2 5:3, that first anointing; Sa1 16:13, was only a designation of the person who should be king, but not an actual inauguration of him to the kingdom. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:5”

“2:4b-7 Once established in Hebron, David made good faith gestures to those still loyal to Saul, such as the men of Jabesh-gilead. However, because they were loyal to . . . Saul and his dynasty, they rejected David as king (2:8-11). David was also in league with Nahash, king of the Ammonites (see 10:2; 17:27-29), who had caused havoc in Jabesh-gilead (1 Sam 11:1-15).”

“the men of Judah: Sa2 2:11, Sa2 19:11, Sa2 19:42; Gen 49:8-10 anointed: Sa2 2:7, Sa2 5:3, Sa2 5:5, Sa2 5:17; Sa1 16:13; Ch1 11:3 the men of Jabeshgilead: Sa1 31:11-13 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 2:5”