Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 2:4

"And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, The men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul." — 2 Samuel 2:4 (ASV)

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.