3 David also brought his men and their families. All of them made their homes in Hebron and the towns nearby.
4 The men of Judah came to Hebron and anointed David to be the king of Judah. Then they told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead buried Saul.”
5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead. These messengers told the men in Jabesh: “The Lord bless you, because you have shown kindness to your lord Saul by burying him.
6 The Lord will be kind and true to you, and so will I.
7 Now be strong and brave. Your lord, Saul, is dead, but the tribe of Judah has anointed me to be their king.”
8 Abner son of Ner was the captain of Saul’s army. Abner took Ish Bosheth son of Saul to Mahanaim
9 and made him king of Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.