2 Samuel 2:1–32 David Becomes King of Judah

[Study Aired September 21, 2026]

Chapter 2 of Second Samuel under review today can be divided into three sections. The first section has to do with David inquiring from the Lord regarding where he should go, which ultimately resulted in David being made king of Judah. The second section focuses on the conflict between Abner and Joab, resulting in a bloody contest beginning at the pool of Gibeon. The final section deals with the calling for truce by Abner after the pursuit of Abner by Joab, for killing his brother Asahel.  

David Anointed King of Judah

2Sa 2:1  And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. 
2Sa 2:2  So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.
2Sa 2:3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

As we are aware, David was anointed by Samuel to become king of Israel before the conquest of Goliath. 

1Sa 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 

With the death of Saul and Jonathan, he did not immediately try to seize power as king, but waited with patience for the Lord to work things out for him. His enquiry as to where he should go shows how David was waiting upon the Lord to accomplish that which he had promised. It implies that we need to be patient in order to receive the Lord’s promise.

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 
Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Heb 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 
Heb 10:39  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

In the Bible, cities also represent churches. Hebron means ‘association.’ David going to Hebron signifies that being associated or being part of the church of Lord’s elect is a requirement to being crowned as king when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

The fact that it is mentioned in verse 2 that David went to Hebron with His two wives is to remind us that although we are called and chosen as the Lord’s elect to belong to the church of the first born, represented by Abigail, we still had ties with the church system of this world or Babylon, signified by Ahinoam. It is instructive to note that Ahinoam means ‘my brother is a delight’ and that of Abigail denotes ‘my father is joy.’ What this means is that when we were in Babylon, we considered our brothers and sisters as our focus of delight. In other words, our attention was more on men than the Lord. However, in the church of the Lord’s elect, our focus is on our father, who is represented by Christ, who is our joy. 

Psa 48:2  beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.    

David bringing the men who were with him each with his household to the cities of Hebron in verse 3, is to let us know that in the fullness of time, we shall lead our families to Christ.

2Sa 2:4  And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul. 
2Sa 2:5  And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. 
2Sa 2:6  And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing. 

The men of Judah coming to anoint David as king over the house of Judah speaks of our future reward of being made rulers over the kingdoms of this world in the fullness of time, when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

The mention of what the men of Jabesh-Gilead did in respect of risking their lives to remove the body of Saul, and those of his sons, from the house of idols of the Philistines to give them a befitting burial is to remind us that in the fullness of time, we shall show mercy to our brothers and sisters in Babylon, who are fallen victims of the flesh. 

1Sa 31:11  And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; 
1Sa 31:12  All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. 
1Sa 31:13  And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 

In other words, the mercy or kindness we have received from the Lord shall be meted out to our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 
Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 

2Sa 2:7  Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. 

The men of Jabash-Gilead represent the Lord’s elect, and here in verse 7 the Lord is enjoining us, His elect, through David, to be strengthened in Him and to be courageous. The reason for this admonition by David was that their master Saul was dead and that the house of Judah had anointed him as king of Judah. Saul here represents our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world who have been disqualified because of their unbelief. This implies that if we are not strengthened in Christ and are courageous, we, too, shall be disqualified. 

The second reason why we should be strengthened in Him is that David had been anointed as king of Judah. Because of the reward of ruling with Christ in the fullness of time, as depicted by David’s appointment as king of Judah, we are admonished to be strengthened in Christ and to be courageous, just like when the Lord commissioned Joshua to take the role of Moses.

Jos 1:6  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 
Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 
Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

Ish-bosheth Made King of Israel

2Sa 2:8  But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
2Sa 2:9  And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

Abner signifies the leaders in Babylon who are appointed by their Pastors to assist them in their rulership. The fact that Abner appointed Ishbosheth, Saul’s son as king over the people of Israel is to make us aware of the way leadership is chosen in Babylon. It depends on people’s lineage to the founder or the one who started the church. This is what we see in many churches all over the world. When the founder is too old or passes away, the successor to the church is either the son or daughter. It is also important to note that in the case of Ishbosheth, there was no mention of him being anointed with oil to become king. It shows how the leadership of the church system of this world is devoid of the spirit, which is represented by the anointing oil. 

Jud 1:17  But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
Jud 1:18  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

2Sa 2:10  Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. 
2Sa 2:11  And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 

The number forty signifies a period of trial and testing, purification and preparation for a new beginning. More details of this assertion can be found in the iswasandwillbe website. Ishbosheth being forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, means that throughout this age, our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world are being tried and tested in preparation for a new beginning in the fullness of time. We were also tried and tested, when we were in Babylon, which made us come to realize that we are the worst sinners, and unless the Lord intervenes in our circumstance, there was no way we could become His obedient children. This was what happened to the people of Israel in the wilderness.

Psa 95:10  Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 
Psa 95:11  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.  

It is important to note that Ishbosheth reigned over Israel for two years. The negative application of the number two speaks of divisions, chaos and confusion. Ishbosheth reigning for two years in Israel therefore signifies the chaotic dispensation which we experienced during our time in the churches of this world. 

David reigning in the house of Judah for a period of seven and a half years suggests that the work of David, a symbol of the men of faith whom the Lord used in the Old Testament is not complete without us. 

Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.  

The Battle of Gibeon

2Sa 2:12  And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
2Sa 2:13  And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 

The pool of Gibeon represents the word of the Lord, while Abner and his men signify the church system of this world. Joab and his men, on the other hand,  denotes the Lord’s elect. The fact that Joab and his men sat at one side of the pool, while David and his men sat at the other side indicates that what separates the church system of this world from the Lord’s elect is the word of the Lord. As we are aware, our brothers interpret the word of the Lord differently from the Lord’s elect as they focus on the letter of the word. On the other hand, the Lord’s elect interpret the word of the Lord in the spirit. 

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

2Sa 2:14  And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise. 
2Sa 2:15  Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 
2Sa 2:16  And they caught everyone his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 
2Sa 2:17  And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

The number twelve means ‘foundation’, and we know that Christ is the foundation. The fact that twelve people were chosen from both sides indicates that in building our foundation in Christ, we all start by using wood, hay, stubble before we are given to build with gold, silver, precious stones. The wood, hay and stubble represent the false doctrines which we imbibe and causes us to become victims of the flesh. It is instructive to note that the place where they fell was named Helkathhazzurim, which means ‘fields of sword.’ As we are aware, a sword represents the word of the Lord and the fields of sword means we have a worldly word of the Lord, which is false doctrines, since ‘field’ represents the world.  Therefore, what we are being told is that it is false doctrines that put us to death. 

In verse 16, we are reminded that both Abner’s men and Joab’s men fell. It shows that we stumble as the Lord’s elect, just like our brothers and sisters in Babylon, before we are given to overcome. In other words, we start our walk with Christ with the foundation of wood, hay and stubble, before we are given to overcome as we replace our foundation with gold, silver and stones. It is important to note that in verse 17, it was mentioned that Abner and his men were defeated. This shows how in the final analysis, we, as the Lord’s elect, are victorious as our foundation is replaced with gold, silver and stones.   

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 

2Sa 2:18  And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 
2Sa 2:19  And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 
2Sa 2:20  Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.
2Sa 2:21  And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him. 
2Sa 2:22  And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother? 
2Sa 2:23  Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

As indicated in verse 18, Asahel was gifted, with his feet as swift as a wild gazelle. He represents our brothers and sisters in the body who are gifted. Spiritual maturity is not the same as gifts, and therefore we must be prepared to listen to counsel from our brothers and sisters in our walk with Christ. As we can see in this story, Abner told Asahel twice that he should turn away and fight with the young men, but he refused. Asahel wanted to do something great by capturing Abner. 

Rom 11:20  Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

On a positive note, Abner represents our brothers and sisters who are experienced in this struggle against our flesh and can guide us in our walk with Christ. When we take a look at the scripture, we see Paul and Barnabas submitting to the counsel of the elders, although their understanding concerning the issue raised about the Gentiles was far deeper than the elders. Many who have left the fellowship thought that their understanding was far better than that of the elders and therefore were not prepared to submit to the counsel of the elders, as we see in the case of Asahel. As a result, we become spiritually dead as we see Asahel dead through the butt of the spear from Abner. The butt of the spear signifies false doctrines, which has put to death many of our brothers and sisters who were so gifted. 

Jer 9:23  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 
Jer 9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 

2Sa 2:24  Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 

Joab and his brother Abishai pursuing Abner to take revenge for the death of their brother Asahel implies that they were still of the flesh, since vengeance is of the Lord. This is to make us aware that in this journey of faith, it takes a lifetime for our flesh to be destroyed completely. That is why we need patience, after we have done the will of God, to receive the promise.

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  

2Sa 2:25  And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

The children of Benjamin gathering themselves together after Abner instead of David shows us how the church system of this world has many children, while the church of the Lord’s elect, signified by David and his men, are relatively small in number.

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 
Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 

2Sa 2:26  Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour forever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren? 
2Sa 2:27  And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. 
2Sa 2:28  So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.  

Abner calling for a truce was to avoid a great slaughter of his men. Joab accepting the truce indicates that as the Lord’s elect, we should be men of peace and that we should not put a stumbling block of iniquity before our brothers and sisters to cause them to become spiritually dead. This stumbling block of iniquity is false doctrines, represented by the sword used to slay many. 

Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; 

2Sa 2:30  And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men and Asahel.

The number nineteen means judgment of the flesh. The fact that nineteen men were missing or dead from the camp of David after the fight with Abner and his men signifies that as His elect, it is through the judgment of our flesh that our flesh dies. 

2Sa 2:31  But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three hundred and threescore men died. 

Abner’s men who died were 360 and here they symbolize our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world. The number 360 = 10x3x12. What this means is that it is at the fullness of the flesh after the final rebellion against Christ (the significance of the number 10) that our brothers and sisters in Babylon shall go through the process of judgment (the significance of the number three) in the lake of fire, which will result in them becoming like Christ (the significance of the number 12). 

2Sa 2:32  And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. 

Asahel represents the Lord’s elect and Bethlehem signifies the house of bread, which stands for the church of the Lord’s elect. The fact that he was buried in a sepulchre in Bethlehem implies that as His elect, our flesh is destroyed in the house of the Lord or in the church of the firstborn.

As indicated, Joab and his men represent the Lord’s elect. In the Bible, the night refers to the time that we are in darkness as we are overwhelmed by the flesh. 

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  

Joab and his men travelling all night and getting to Hebron at break of day is therefore telling us that our journey with Christ is like a long night where we are overwhelmed by our flesh, and it is when we come to the church of the firstborn (significance of Hebron which means ‘association’), that the day breaks or the light of the gospel of Christ shines in our hearts and mind to become like Christ.

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  

May His name be praised forever. Amen!