2 Samuel 2:11
ESV
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
NIV
The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.
NASB
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
CSB
The length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
NLT
David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.
KJV
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
NKJV
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
What does 2 Samuel 2:11 mean?
Years before, when David was just a shepherd boy, the prophet Samuel told then-King Saul that God would take the throne away give it to his neighbor (1 Samuel 15:27–28). God then sent Samuel to Bethlehem and instructed him to anoint Jesse's youngest son as king (1 Samuel 16:11–13). From that point, David faithfully served and honored Saul, even when Saul tried to kill him in a jealous rage. David saw Saul as God's anointed and trusted God's timing.Eventually, Saul and three of his sons died in battle (1 Samuel 31:1–4). David had sent spoils from one of his battles to the elders of Judah (1 Samuel 30:26–31), and they made him king of the tribe (2 Samuel 2:1–4). Five years later, Abner made Saul's son Ish-bosheth king over the rest of Israelite territory (2 Samuel 2:8–10).
Even now, David is in no hurry. God will give him the nation in His timing.
Ironically, that timing is determined by Abner. It is he who unites the northern and eastern tribes. And it's he who, tired of Ish-bosheth, will deliver those tribes to David (2 Samuel 3:6–21). When David takes the crown of the unified nation, he'll reign for another thirty-three years.
