5 he sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead. "The Lord bless you," he said to them, "for doing this loyal deed for your master Saul by burying him.
6 May the Lord now show you loyal love and faithfulness. I myself will also reward you because you did this.
7 So now take courage and be brave—yes, your master Saul is dead, but the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
8 Meanwhile, Abner, Ner’s son, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9 There he made him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.
10 Saul’s son Ishbosheth was 40 years old when he became king over Israel, and he ruled for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
11 The amount of time David ruled in Hebron over the house of Judah totaled seven and a half years.