Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: At Hebron

◄ David: King of Israel: At Hebron ►

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David, the anointed king of Israel, began his reign in Hebron, a significant city in the tribal territory of Judah. Following the death of King Saul, David sought the Lord's guidance regarding his next steps. "Then it came to pass after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?' And the LORD said to him, 'Go up.' David asked, 'Where should I go?' And He replied, 'To Hebron.'" (2 Samuel 2:1). This divine direction marked the beginning of David's rule over the tribe of Judah.

Hebron, a city with deep historical and spiritual roots, was an appropriate choice for David's initial reign. It was here that the patriarch Abraham had settled and where he and his descendants were buried. The city served as a symbolic link to God's covenant promises to Israel. David's move to Hebron was not only strategic but also deeply connected to the heritage of the Israelite people.

Upon his arrival in Hebron, "the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah" (2 Samuel 2:4). This anointing was a public affirmation of David's God-ordained kingship, initially limited to his own tribe. During his time in Hebron, David demonstrated wise leadership and political acumen, strengthening his position and preparing for the eventual unification of all Israel under his rule.

David's reign in Hebron lasted seven and a half years (2 Samuel 2:11). During this period, he faced challenges, including the ongoing conflict with the house of Saul. Abner, the commander of Saul's army, initially supported Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over the northern tribes. However, through a series of events, including Abner's defection to David's side, the path was paved for David's eventual rule over all Israel.

David's time in Hebron was marked by both personal and political developments. He expanded his family, taking additional wives and fathering several children, which would later play significant roles in the unfolding narrative of his dynasty. The alliances and relationships formed during this period were crucial for the stability and expansion of his kingdom.

The city of Hebron served as a foundational stage in David's journey from shepherd to sovereign. It was here that he consolidated his power, built alliances, and demonstrated his commitment to God's will for Israel. David's reign in Hebron set the stage for his eventual move to Jerusalem, where he would establish a united kingdom and bring the Ark of the Covenant to the city, further solidifying his role as the central figure in Israel's history.

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2 Samuel 3:2-5
And to David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
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1 Chronicles 3:4
These six were born to him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.
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Library

The History of David
... therefore we shall obey thee. And all the seniors of Israel came and did
homage to David in Hebron, and anointed him king over them. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

One Fold and one Shepherd
... of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in
Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.4. David was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/one fold and one shepherd.htm

Every Inch a King.
... killed by an enemy, then all the other tribes came to Hebron and made a league with
him, so seven years after Saul's death David became king over all Israel. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxiii every inch a.htm

The Story of Solomon and his Temple
... years over the tribe of Judah, at Hebron, and thirty-three years over all Israel,
in Jerusalem ... King David had prepared for it by gathering great stores of ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of solomon and.htm

David's Sorrow.
... the grief of the king, so that Joab persuaded David to come ... And so the king came
to his own again ... with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.". ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv davids sorrow.htm

The Reign of David.
... His Reign Over All Israel. Saul's kingdom having fallen, Israel assembled in great
numbers at Hebron and asked David to become king over all the nation. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The King.
... enemies are emphatically named as "the house of Saul," and we find Abner himself
admitting that "the elders of Israel" wanted David as king (2 Samuel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

The Bright Dawn of a Reign
... old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of
Judah followed David.11. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the bright dawn of a.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... reached the place with the food for his brothers, he was amazed to see that the
men of Israel were so ... Then it was told to King Saul how David had come and ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

Pardoned Sin Punished
... and messengers had been sent through all Israel to summon ... If David had been as popular
as in his early ... taxation, the gloom that hung over the king, the partial ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/pardoned sin punished.htm