3 David also brought up his men with their families, and they dwelt in the towns of Hebron.
4 Then the men of Judah came there and anointed David king over the house of Judah.A report reached David that the people of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul.
5 So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh-gilead and said to them: “May you be blessed by the Lord for having done this kindness to your lord Saul in burying him.
6 And now may the Lord show you kindness and fidelity. For my part, I will show generosity to you for having done this.
7 So take courage and prove yourselves valiant, for though your lord Saul is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
8 Abner, son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, took Ishbaal, son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim,
9 where he made him king over Gilead, the Asherites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and the rest of Israel.