2 Samuel 2:4
ESV
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, "It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,"
NIV
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul,
NASB
Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, 'It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.'
CSB
Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David: "It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul."
NLT
Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul,
KJV
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.
NKJV
Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul.”
What does 2 Samuel 2:4 mean?
Despite the fact Saul was king of all Israel, the nation was never unified. His death makes it worse. The Philistines have moved into the northern region around Galilee (1 Samuel 31:7), and Saul's three warrior sons also died in battle (1 Samuel 31:2). The tribes have no centralized government or army.The elders of the tribe of Judah are aware of this. They also know that David is from Judah, he's a powerful warrior and leader, he already has a highly effective army, and he sent them presents (1 Samuel 30:26–31). It only makes sense that he should be king.
In Jacob's last days, he gave blessings and prophecies to his sons. He told Judah, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples." (Genesis 49:10) After Saul, a Benjamite, continued to disobey God, God sent Samuel to anoint David, from Judah, as Saul's successor (1 Samuel 16:12–13). The fulfillment of both prophecies begins now.
David makes several political moves designed to patch any alienation the Israelites feel toward him. One was sending presents to the elders of Judah. After Saul and Jonathan died, David wrote a psalm of remorse and sent it all over Judah (2 Samuel 1:17–26). Another clever step comes next. The men of Jabesh-gilead retrieved the desecrated bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines and buried them properly (1 Samuel 31:8–13). When David hears, he sends them thanks and a subtle invitation to join him (2 Samuel 2:4–7).
