S E C O N D S A M U E L
CHAP. II.
David had paid due respect to the memory of Saul his prince and Jonathan his friend, and what he did was as much his praise as theirs; he is now considering what is to be done next. Saul is dead, now therefore David arise. I. By direction from God he went up to Hebron, and was there anointed king, 2 Samuel 2:1-4. II. He returned thanks to the men of Jabesh-Gilead for burying Saul, 2 Samuel 2:5-7. III. Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, is set up in opposition to him, 2 Samuel 2:8-11. IV. A warm encounter happens between David's party and Ishbosheth's, in which, 1. Twelve of each side engaged hand to hand and were all slain, 2 Samuel 2:12-16. 2. Saul's party was beaten, 2 Samuel 2:17. 3. Asahel, on David's side, was slain by Abner, 2 Samuel 2:18-23. 4. Joab, at Abner's request, sounds a retreat, 2 Samuel 2:24-28. 5. Abner makes the best of his way (2 Samuel 2:29), and the loss on both sides is computed, 2 Samuel 2:30-32. So that here we have an account of a civil war in Israel, which, in process of time, ended in the complete settlement of David on the throne.