2 Samuel 2:4-7

3. David’s overtures to Jabesh-gilead 2:4b-7

"The much later crisis of 1 Kings 12 suggests that the Davidic hold on the north is never deeply established. In our chapter we are given two episodes of David’s attentiveness to the north. One (2 Samuel 2:4-7) is a peaceable act of friendship. The other (2 Samuel 2:8-32) is an act of confrontation and hostility." [Note: Brueggemann, p. 220.]

The people of Jabesh-gilead were very loyal to Saul (cf. 1 Samuel 11:1-13; 1 Samuel 31:11-13). David took special pains to express his sorrow over Saul’s death to those residents, to show that the antagonism that had existed between Saul and himself was one-sided. If he could win their favor, David could gain a foothold of support in northern Israel. We see in these verses how David sought peace and unity with those who had been loyal to Saul in Israel. First, he took the initiative in contacting them (2 Samuel 2:5 a). Second, he paid them a sincere compliment (2 Samuel 2:5 b). Third, he obliquely reminded them that he was now the Lord’s anointed (2 Samuel 2:6). Finally, he offered a "treaty of friendship" (2 Samuel 2:6-7; cf. Deuteronomy 23:6; 1 Samuel 25:30). [Note: Delbert R. Hillers, "A Note on Some Treaty Terminology in the Old Testament," Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 176 (1964):47.]

"David wishes to take Saul’s place as suzerain of Jabesh-Gilead. Since treaties did not automatically continue in force when a new king took the throne, it was necessary for David actively to seek a renewal of the pact." [Note: Ibid.]

David’s support at this time came mainly from the Judahites. Hostilities had existed between the Israelites in the northern tribes and those in the South for many generations. [Note: For a review of these hostilities, see Eugene H. Merrill, Kingdom of Priests, pp. 223-28.]

"One could almost say that the first recorded act of the new king of Judah was to offer friendship and comfort to a group of Israelites, with the implication that David may be a Judean but his heart belongs to all Israel." [Note: Anderson, p. 29.]