was to be taught to the children, that the memory of Saul and Jonathan
might be preserved among them. “Behold, it is written in the book of
Jasher” (q.v.).
David king over Judah. David and his men now set out for Hebron under
divine direction (2 Samuel 2:1-4). There they were cordially welcomed, and
he was at once anointed as king. He was now about thirty years of age.
But his title to the throne was not undisputed. Abner took Ish-bosheth,
Saul’s only remaining son, over the Jordan to Mahanaim, and there
crowned him as king. Then began a civil war in Israel. The first encounter
between the two opposing armies, led on the one side by Abner, and on
the other by Joab, took place at the pool of Gibeon. It resulted in the
defeat of Abner. Other encounters, however, between Israel and Judah
followed (2 Samuel 3:1, 5), but still success was on the side of David. For
the space of seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron. Abner now
sided with David, and sought to promote his advancement; but was
treacherously put to death by Joab in revenge for his having slain his
brother Asahel at Gibeon (3:22-39). This was greatly to David’s regret. He
mourned for the death of Abner. Shortly after this Ish-bosheth was also
treacherously put to death by two Canaanites of Beeroth; and there being
now no rival, David was anointed king over all Israel (4:1-12).
David king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3). The elders
of Israel now repaired to Hebron and offered allegiance to David in name of
all the people, among whom the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. He was
anointed king over all Israel, and sought out a new seat of government,
more suitable than Hebron, as the capital of his empire. At this time there
was a Jebusite fortress, “the stronghold”, on the hill of Zion, called also
Jebus. This David took from the Jebusites, and made it Israel’s capital, and
established here his residence, and afterwards built for himself a palace by
the aid of Tyrian tradesmen. The Philistines, who had for some time
observed a kind of truce, now made war against David; but were defeated
in battle at a place afterwards called, in remembrance of the victory,
Baal-perazim. Again they invaded the land, and were a second time routed
by him. He thus delivered Israel from their enemies.
David now resolved to bring up the ark of the covenant to his new capital
(2 Samuel 6). It was in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim, about 7
miles from Jerusalem, where it had been for many years, from the time