2 Samuel 2:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And he said, Unto Hebron— Though God had appointed David to the kingdom, he would not pretend to take upon him the administration of affairs without immediately applying himself to him, by Abiathar the high-priest, to know when and by what means he should best be put into possession of it. He was directed by God to go up to Hebron, which was situated in the midst of the tribe of Judah, on the top of a ridge of high mountains, equally famed for fruits, herbage, and honey. Mr. Sandys seems to have surveyed the whole region round it with uncommon rapture; and Dr. Shaw has considered it with singular care and attention. He observes of that region, that it is admirably fitted for olives and vineyards, and in many parts for grain and pasture. It seems, therefore, to be a region peculiarly adapted to the reception of David and his men; for there they might then dwell, as Dr. Shaw tells us the inhabitants do now, in greater numbers, and with greater advantage: for here, says he, they themselves have bread to the full, while their cattle browse upon a richer herbage; and both of them are refreshed by springs of excellent water. Besides this, Hebron had also other advantages; it was a Levitical, priestly, and patriarchal city; venerable for the sepulchres of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and, as tradition adds, of Adam also; and upon all these accounts, long reputed (as it is at this day, even by the Turks) holy, and honoured with the title chosen or beloved. God had before appointed it for the residence of his favourite servants, and it was now peculiarly proper for the reception of David, as being the metropolis of his tribe. See Numbers 13:22.Joshua 14:13.