2:1 | Later, David asked the LORD, "Should I go back to one of the towns of Judah?" The LORD answered, "Yes." David asked, "Which town should I go to?" "Go to Hebron," the LORD replied.

2:2 | David went to Hebron with his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail. Ahinoam was from Jezreel, and Abigail was the widow of Nabal from Carmel.

2:3 | David also had his men and their families come and live in the villages near Hebron.

2:4 | The people of Judah met with David at Hebron and poured olive oil on his head to show that he was their new king. Then they told David, "The people from Jabesh in Gilead buried Saul."

2:5 | David sent messengers to tell them: The LORD bless you! You were kind enough to bury Saul your ruler,

2:6 | and I pray that the LORD will be kind and faithful to you. I will be your friend because of what you have done.

2:7 | Saul is dead, but the tribe of Judah has made me their king. So be strong and have courage. Ishbosheth Becomes King of Israel

2:9 | and made him king of Israel, including the areas of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin.

2:10 | Ishbosheth was forty years old at the time, and he ruled for two years. But the tribe of Judah made David their king,

2:11 | and he ruled from Hebron for seven and a half years. The War between David and Ishbosheth

2:12 | One day, Abner and the soldiers of Ishbosheth left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon.

2:19 | and he ran straight after Abner, without looking to the right or to the left.

2:20 | When Abner turned and saw him, he said, "Is that you, Asahel?" Asahel answered, "Yes it is."

2:21 | Abner said, "There are soldiers all around. Stop chasing me and fight one of them! Kill him and take his clothes and weapons for yourself." But Asahel refused to stop.

2:23 | But Asahel would not turn back, so Abner struck him in the stomach with the back end of his spear. The spear went all the way through and came out of his back. Asahel fell down and died. Everyone who saw Asahel lying dead just stopped and stood still.

2:24 | But Joab and Abishai went after Abner. Finally, about sunset, they came to the hill of Ammah, not far from Giah on the road to Gibeon Desert.

2:25 | Abner brought the men of Benjamin together in one group on top of a hill, and they got ready to fight.

2:28 | Joab took his trumpet and blew the signal for his soldiers to stop chasing the soldiers of Israel. Right away, the fighting stopped.

2:29 | Abner and his troops marched through the Jordan River valley all that night. Then they crossed the river and marched all morning until they arrived back at Mahanaim.