4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. They appointed David king over Judah.They told David that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul.
5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead. They told David’s message to the men in Jabesh: “The Lord bless you. You have shown kindness to your master Saul by burying him.
6 May the Lord now be kind and true to you. I will also be kind to you because you have done this.
7 Now be strong and brave. Saul your master is dead. The people of Judah have appointed me their king.”
8 Now Abner son of Ner was the commander of Saul’s army. Abner took Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim.
9 There Abner made him king of Gilead, Ashuri, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.
10 Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth was 40 years old when he became king over Israel. He ruled two years. But the people of Judah followed David.