2 Samuel 2:11
New International Version
The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.

New Living Translation
David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

English Standard Version
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Berean Standard Bible
And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

King James Bible
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

New King James Version
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

New American Standard Bible
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

NASB 1995
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

NASB 1977
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Amplified Bible
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Christian Standard Bible
The length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

American Standard Version
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Contemporary English Version
and he ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years.

English Revised Version
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In Hebron David was king over the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months.

Good News Translation
and he ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years.

International Standard Version
The period of David's kingship in Hebron lasted seven years and six months.

Majority Standard Bible
And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

NET Bible
David was king in Hebron over the people of Judah for seven and a half years.

New Heart English Bible
And the time that David ruled in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the time that David was king in Hebron, over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months.

World English Bible
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the number of the days that David has been king in Hebron, over the house of Judah, is seven years and six months.

Young's Literal Translation
And the number of the days that David hath been king in Hebron, over the house of Judah, is seven years and six months.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the number of days which David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah, will be seven years and six months.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the number of the days that David abode, reigning in Hebron over the house of Juda, was seven years and six months.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the number of the days, during which David was staying and ruling in Hebron over the house of Judah, was seven years and six months.

New American Bible
In all, David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah seven years and six months.

New Revised Standard Version
The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the number of days when King David reigned in Khebruun over those of the house of Yehuda was seven years and six months
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the days which David reigned in Chebron over the house of Juda were seven years and six months.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ish-bosheth Made King of Israel
10Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. 11And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Cross References
1 Chronicles 3:4
These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,

1 Kings 2:11
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 13:14
But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 15:28
So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.

1 Samuel 31:6
So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.

1 Kings 11:36
I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.

1 Kings 15:4
Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.

1 Chronicles 29:27
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 11:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

1 Chronicles 12:23
Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD:

1 Chronicles 12:38
All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king.

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Acts 13:21-22
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,


Treasury of Scripture

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

time [heb] number of days

2 Samuel 5:4,5
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years…

1 Kings 2:11
And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 3:4
These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

Jump to Previous
David Hebron House Judah Length Months Seven Six Time
Jump to Next
David Hebron House Judah Length Months Seven Six Time
2 Samuel 2
1. David, by God's direction, with his company goes up to Hebron
4. where he is made king of Judah
5. He commends them of Jabesh Gilead for their king of Israel
8. Abner makes Ishbosheth king of Israel
12. A mortal skirmish between twelve of Abner's and twelve of Joab's men.
18. Asahel is slain
25. At Abner's motion, Joab sounds a retreat
32. Asahel's burial














And the length of time that David was king in Hebron
David's reign in Hebron marks the beginning of his kingship, following the death of Saul. Hebron, a significant city in Judah, was a strategic choice for David. It was centrally located and held historical importance as the burial place of the patriarchs (Genesis 23:19). This period in Hebron was a time of consolidation for David, as he established his rule over the tribe of Judah. Hebron's choice reflects David's connection to his tribe and his initial support base.

over the house of Judah
David's initial kingship was limited to the tribe of Judah, his own tribe, which had always been loyal to him. This division highlights the political fragmentation in Israel following Saul's death. The "house of Judah" signifies the southern kingdom, distinct from the northern tribes that followed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. This period of division foreshadows the later split of the united monarchy into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

was seven years and six months
The specific duration of David's reign in Hebron underscores the transitional nature of his early kingship. This time frame allowed David to strengthen his leadership and prepare for his eventual rule over all Israel. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or divine perfection in the Bible, suggesting that this period was divinely ordained for David's preparation. The additional six months may indicate a period of final consolidation before his anointing as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Anointed king over the house of Judah, David is a central figure in this passage. His reign in Hebron marks the beginning of his kingship, which eventually extends over all Israel.

2. Hebron
A significant city in Judah, Hebron serves as David's initial capital. It is a place of historical and spiritual importance, being associated with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

3. House of Judah
The tribe of Judah, from which David hails, initially recognizes him as king. This reflects the tribal divisions within Israel at the time.

4. Seven years and six months
The duration of David's reign in Hebron, indicating a period of consolidation and preparation before he becomes king over all Israel.

5. The Kingdom of Israel
At this time, the kingdom is divided, with Saul's son Ish-bosheth ruling over the northern tribes. This division sets the stage for future unification under David.
Teaching Points
God's Timing and Preparation
David's reign in Hebron for seven years and six months illustrates the importance of God's timing. Before David could rule over all Israel, he needed a period of preparation and consolidation.

Faithfulness in Small Beginnings
David's initial rule over Judah alone teaches us to be faithful in smaller responsibilities before God entrusts us with greater ones.

Unity and Division
The division between Judah and the other tribes highlights the challenges of unity within God's people. It calls us to work towards reconciliation and unity in our communities.

The Importance of Place
Hebron's historical and spiritual significance reminds us that God often uses specific places to fulfill His purposes. We should be attentive to the places God has positioned us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the length
מִסְפַּ֣ר (mis·par)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

of time
הַיָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

that
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

David
דָוִ֥ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

was
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

king
מֶ֛לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

in Hebron
בְּחֶבְר֖וֹן (bə·ḥeḇ·rō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2275: Hebron -- 'association, league', a city in southern Judah

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

was seven
שֶׁ֥בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

years
שָׁנִ֖ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

and six
וְשִׁשָּׁ֥ה (wə·šiš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

months.
חֳדָשִֽׁים׃ (ḥo·ḏā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:11 The time that David was king (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 2:10
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