2 Samuel 2:10
ESV
Ish-bosheth, Saul 's son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
NIV
Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David.
NASB
Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he was king for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
CSB
Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel; he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
NLT
Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David.
KJV
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.
NKJV
Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David.
What does 2 Samuel 2:10 mean?
Abner, the commander of Saul's army, has declared Saul's son Ish-bosheth to be king over Israel. His act is certainly lawful and traditional, but it's not God's word. God had declared that He would tear the nation from Saul's grasp and give it to his neighbor (1 Samuel 15:27–28). David is that neighbor (1 Samuel 16:11–13). Abner doesn't have God's blessing in his choice; he uses tradition and his own power and influence to make Ish-bosheth king (2 Samuel 2:8–9).Still, the historical record of the book of 2 Samuel recognizes Ish-bosheth as the legitimate king over Israel for the span of two years, beginning when he was forty years old. The text is clear to distinguish between the nation of Israel, to the north, and the house of Judah to the south. Judah recognized only David as king and followed him. The rest of Israel either backed Saul's son or simply had no voice in the matter of who would rule over them.
Abner will spend those two years fighting against David and attempting to add Judah to Ish-bosheth's territory. In that time, God will increase David's power and make Israel increasingly weaker (2 Samuel 3:1). Abner, ironically, will gain power in the failing kingdom. It seems he'll make a half-hearted attempt to rule Israel but decide it's not worth it. Instead, he'll betray Ish-bosheth and deliver Israel to David (2 Samuel 3:6–21).
