Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

After David inquired of the Lord, he received a clear answer. "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" he asked. The Lord said to him, "Go up." David sought further guidance: "Where shall I go up?" He replied, "To Hebron."

David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail Nabal's wife from Carmel. They brought along their men who were with them, each man accompanied by his household, and they settled in the cities of Hebron.

The men of Judah arrived and anointed David king over the house of Judah. They informed him that the men of Jabesh-gilead had shown kindness to their lord Saul by burying him, even though he was their enemy. The Lord would repay them for their loyalty and kindness.

David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to express his gratitude: "Blessed are you by the Lord that you have shown kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him." He assured them that the Lord would show kindness and truth to them, and he too would reward their loyalty.

Abner, captain of Saul's army, took Ishbosheth, Saul's son, and brought him to Mahanaim. Abner made him king over Gilead, Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. Ishbosheth was forty years old when he began his two-year reign as king of Israel; meanwhile, David continued to rule Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months.

Abner and the servants of Ishbosheth departed from Mahanaim and headed to Gibeon. Meanwhile, Joab and David's servants left Hebron to meet them by the pool of Gibeon. As they gathered, Abner proposed a test of strength: "Let the young men now arise and compete before us." Joab agreed, and twelve loyal men from Benjamin, serving Ishbosheth, faced off against twelve servants of David.

The battle was fierce, and in the end, both sides were defeated. However, Abner's forces suffered greater losses. Asahel, one of David's brothers, had been pursuing Abner but refused to give up, despite Abner's warnings. Abner ultimately struck him with his spear under the fifth rib.

The two groups continued their pursuit until evening, when Joab blew a trumpet to call off the battle. Abner and his men retreated across Jordan and passed through Bithron before arriving at Mahanaim for the night. The next morning, Joab returned from chasing them and gathered all David's servants together again, except for nineteen who were still missing.

Benjamin had lost significantly more men in the battle – three hundred sixty in total. Asahel was buried in Bethlehem with his family, while Joab and the remaining soldiers continued their journey to Hebron just as daylight broke over the horizon.