1. And it cometh to pass afterwards, that David asketh at Jehovah, saying, `Do I go up into one of the cities of Judah?' and Jehovah saith unto him, `Go up.' And David saith, `Whither do I go up?' and He saith, `To Hebron.'
2. And David goeth up thither, and also his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelite;
3. and his men who [are] with him hath David brought up--a man and his household-- and they dwell in the cities of Hebron.
4. And the men of Judah come, and anoint there David for king over the house of Judah; and they declare to David, saying, `The men of Jabesh-Gilead [are] they who buried Saul.'
5. And David sendeth messengers unto the men of Jabesh-Gilead, and saith unto them, `Blessed [are] ye of Jehovah, in that ye have done this kindness with your lord, with Saul, that ye bury him.
6. `And, now, Jehovah doth with you kindness and truth, and also, I do with you this good because ye have done this thing;
7. and now, are your hands strong, and be ye for sons of valour, for your lord Saul. [is] dead, and also--me have the house of Judah anointed for king over them.'
8. And Abner, son of Ner, head of the host which Saul hath, hath taken Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, and causeth him to pass over to Mahanaim,