“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Samuel 2:4 Mean?
After Saul's death, the men of Judah anoint David king — but only over Judah, not over all Israel. The divided anointing will persist for seven and a half years before all the tribes unite under David. The path to full kingship is slower and more contested than anyone expected.
The mention of the men of Jabesh-gilead burying Saul connects back to 1 Samuel 11, when Saul rescued them from the Ammonites at the beginning of his reign. Their final act of loyalty — risking their lives to retrieve and honor Saul's body — bookends the relationship. Saul's first military victory and his final burial are connected through the gratitude of one city.
David's response to the Jabesh-gilead men (verses 5-6) is gracious — he blesses them for their loyalty to Saul rather than resenting it. David doesn't demand that everyone immediately transfer their allegiance. He honors their faithfulness to the previous king, even as he steps into his own reign.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How do you handle partial fulfillment when you were expecting the whole promise?
- 2.What does David's grace toward Saul's supporters teach about transitioning into new roles?
- 3.Have you ever honored someone who hurt you because you could see the bigger picture?
- 4.How does David's patience with partial kingship encourage you in your own waiting season?
Devotional
David is finally king. But only of Judah. One tribe out of twelve. After everything — the anointing by Samuel, the years of running, the cave, the fugitive band, sparing Saul twice — he gets a partial kingdom. Not the whole thing. Just Judah.
This is how promises often arrive: in stages, not all at once. David was anointed king of all Israel as a teenager. He's now roughly thirty, and he's king of one tribe. The full promise will take seven more years. God's faithfulness is real, but it's not always immediate or complete on your timeline.
The detail about Jabesh-gilead burying Saul is beautiful. They remembered what Saul did for them decades earlier — his first act as king, rescuing them from Nahash — and they honored him at his worst moment. Loyalty that spans from someone's first victory to their final defeat is rare and sacred.
David's gracious response to their Saul-loyalty is equally striking. He doesn't say, "Forget that guy. I'm king now." He blesses them for honoring the man who tried to kill him. This is a man secure enough in his own anointing that he doesn't need to diminish the previous leader's legacy. When you know God has placed you where you are, you don't need to tear down who came before.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the men of Judah came,.... The inhabitants of the tribe of Judah came from the several parts of it to Hebron, that…
David had already been anointed by Samuel 1Sa 16:13. His first anointing indicated God’s secret purpose, his second the…
Anointed David king - He was anointed before by Samuel, by which he acquired jus ad regnum, a right To the kingdom; by…
When Saul and Jonathan were dead, though David knew himself anointed to be king, and now saw his way very clear, yet he…
the men of Judah came An assembly of David's own tribe was held in order to elect him king. No doubt he had previously…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture