Saul and Jonathan are dead, Israel routed
3 days after David returned to Ziklag, a man with clothes torn and dirt on his head came and fell on the ground and paid homage to David, saying he escaped from the Israel camp. David asked how the battle went, and he said the people fell and Saul and Jonathan died. He asked how this man knew, and by chance, he happened to be on Mount Gilboa when he saw Saul leaning on his spear with the chariots and horsemen pursuing closely. Saul called to him and asked who he was. Learning he was an Amalekite, he asked him to kill him. He complied, knowing Saul was close to death. He took Saul's crown and armlet to David.
David and his men mourned and fasted until evening for Saul, Jonathan, and the people of the LORD and the house of Israel. David learned he was the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite. He asked how he did not fear to destroy the LORD's anointed then executed him for his own mouth testified against him.
David lamented over Saul and Jonathan with a lamentation referred to as The Song of the Bow or the Lament of the Bow that he said should be taught to the people of Judah. It was written in the Book of Jashar.
- “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! / How the mighty have fallen!
- Tell it not in Gath, / publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
- lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, / lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
- “You mountains of Gilboa, / let there be no dew or rain upon you, / nor fields of offerings!
- For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, / the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
- “From the blood of the slain, / from the fat of the mighty,
- the bow of Jonathan turned not back, / and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
- “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! / In life and in death they were not divided;
- they were swifter than eagles; / they were stronger than lions.
- “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, / who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, / who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
- “How the mighty have fallen / in the midst of the battle!
- “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. / I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
- very pleasant have you been to me; / your love to me was extraordinary, / surpassing the love of women.
- “How the mighty have fallen, / and the weapons of war perished!”
David inquired of the LORD if he should go up to any of the cities of Judah. The LORD said, "Go up." David said, "To which shall I go up?" And he said, "To Hebron." So David, his wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, and his men went up to live in the towns of Hebron, where the people of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah.
When David learned about Jabesh-gilead burying Saul, he sent messengers to them and said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing. Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." David was king in Hebron for 7 years and 6 months, but Ish-bosheth the son of Saul was king in Mahanaim over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all of Israel.
In the battle of Gibeon, Joab the son of Zeruiah represented David against Abner the son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth at the place that became Helkath-hazzurim. Then the three sons of Zeuriah, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, pursued Abner. Abner killed Asahel, and the battle continued until Abner and the people of Benjamin prepared for a last stand on the hill of Ammah as the sun was going down. Abner called for the fight to end, and Joab complied. David's men returned to Hebron in the morning with 19 men missing, while Abner lost 360 men.
(2 Samuel 2)
Sons were born to David at Hebron - Amnon of Ahinoam of Jezreel, Chileab of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, Adonijah the son of Haggith, Shephatiah the son of Abital, and Ithream of Eglah. (2 Samuel 3)
David never at any time displeased Adonijah by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?” (1 Kings 1:6)
Abner sent messengers to David, saying, "To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you." David accepted upon the condition he first sees Michal. He also sent messengers to Ish-bosheth to ask for his wife back, so Ish-bosheth took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and Benjamin then went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do. Abner came with 20 men to David at Hebron, and David made a feast for them. Abner said he will go and gather all Israel to David to make a covenant with him so he may reign. David sent him away in peace.
Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil. It was told to Joab that Abner came to the king and was let go in peace, so Joab went to David and asked why. He must know that Abner came to deceive him and to know his going out and his coming in and all that he is doing.
David was later told Joab had killed Abner, so he said, "I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!" David told Joab and all the people with him to tear their clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner, and David followed the bier. They buried Abner at Hebron. The king and all the people wept, and David lamented,
- Should Abner die as a fool dies?
- Your hands were not bound; / your feet were not fettered;
- as one falls before the wicked / you have fallen.
The people tried to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day, but David swore, "God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!" All the people were pleased and understood it was not the king's will to put Abner the son of Ner to death. He said, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!"
(2 Samuel 3)