Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 2

Inquired of the Lord. —At this important juncture, David’s first care is to know the Divine will. His inquiry was, doubtless, made through the high priest Abiathar, as in 1 Samuel 23:9–10 (Compare to 2 Samuel 22:20; 2 Samuel 23:1; 2 Samuel 23:4). The answer definitely directed him to go up to Hebron.

Hebron is one of the most ancient cities of the world (built seven years before Zoan in Egypt, Numbers 13:22), long the residence of Abraham (Genesis 13:18), and the place where he and Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob were buried. Its original name was Kirjath-arba (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15, and elsewhere). It is situated in a valley among the hills of Southern Judea, at a height of nearly 3,000 feet above the Mediterranean. It is about twenty miles south-southwest from Jerusalem, somewhat more than this northeast of Beersheba, and about fifteen miles east-southeast of the Philistine town of Gath.

From Ziklag, where David had been living, it was distant about thirty-eight miles. It has always been famous for its vineyards, and its grapes are still considered the finest in Southern Palestine. The valley in which it is situated is probably the valley of Eshcol, from which the spies brought the great cluster of grapes to Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 13:23). It was a priestly city (Joshua 21:10–11), and the most southerly of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7).

Here was the home and the throne of David for the next seven and a half years (2 Samuel 2:11; 2 Samuel 5:5). The larger part of the land, since the recent defeat, was in the power of the Philistines; and Hebron, on account of its situation at the far south, and its strategic strength, as well as its sacred associations, was a peculiarly fitting place for the beginning of David’s reign.

His two wives. —See 1 Samuel 25:42–43.

Dwelt in the cities of Hebron. —David’s whole force of 600 men, with their families, accompanied him, and made their permanent settlement in the towns of the district to which Hebron gave its name.

They anointed David. —The first private anointing of David (1 Samuel 16:0) had been as a token of his Divine commission. This current anointing served as a sign of his recognition as king by the tribe of Judah. A third, subsequent anointing (2 Samuel 5:4) would occur when he was accepted by all Israel.

Compare this to Saul’s anointing by Samuel privately (1 Samuel 10:1), and Saul's subsequent double recognition as king by the people (1 Samuel 10:24; 1 Samuel 11:15). The “men of Judah” were not only of David’s tribe but were undoubtedly aware that he had been divinely selected as their future king. For the most part, they had remained on friendly terms with him during his long outlawry. Additionally, they had recently received presents from him in recognition of their kindness (1 Samuel 30:26–31).

The men of Jabesh-gilead. —This town had been destroyed in the civil war against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:9–12), and its 400 virgins given in marriage to the surviving Benjamites. Therefore, a special connection existed between Saul, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, and this city. It is also highly probable that the remnants of Saul’s defeated army sought refuge in Gilead.

I also will requite you. —David’s message of kindness and blessing is quite in accordance with his whole bearing towards Saul and his house, and, at the same time, was one of wise policy. The literal translation is, I also show you this good, the Hebrew not directly conveying the idea of future recompense, as does the English. The thought is that David, now the rightful king of Israel, appreciates the act and wishes to publicly show his favour to the men of Jabesh-gilead. He then, in the following verse, suggests the propriety of their now recognising him as the successor of their lost monarch and friend.