2 Samuel 2:1 kjv
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
2 Samuel 2:1 nkjv
It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron."
2 Samuel 2:1 niv
In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered.
2 Samuel 2:1 esv
After this David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "To which shall I go up?" And he said, "To Hebron."
2 Samuel 2:1 nlt
After this, David asked the LORD, "Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?" "Yes," the LORD replied. Then David asked, "Which town should I go to?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered.
2 Samuel 2 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 23:2 | "Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Shall I go and attack...' " | David's consistent practice of seeking God's will. |
| 1 Sam 30:8 | "So David inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Shall I pursue this troop...'" | Another instance of David consulting God before action. |
| Judg 1:1 | "Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel inquired of the LORD, saying, 'Who shall go up...'" | Israel's tradition of inquiring God for direction. |
| Judg 20:18 | "The children of Israel arose and went up to Bethel to inquire of God..." | The Israelites seeking divine guidance for war. |
| 1 Sam 16:1 | "And the LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul... I have provided Myself a king among his sons.'" | God's earlier selection of David as king. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart... In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." | General principle of seeking divine direction. |
| Ps 32:8 | "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go..." | God's promise to guide His people. |
| Ps 27:4 | "One thing I have desired of the LORD... to inquire in His temple." | Desire to commune with God and seek Him. |
| Isa 30:21 | "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." | God's specific guidance to His obedient followers. |
| Jer 10:23 | "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself... It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." | Emphasizes human dependence on God for direction. |
| Ps 73:24 | "You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." | God's leading leads to ultimate glory. |
| Rom 8:14 | "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." | New Testament principle of being led by God. |
| 1 Sam 13:14 | "...the LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart..." | David's character as one who aligns with God's will. |
| Acts 13:22 | "He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'" | Confirmation of David's divine appointment and obedience. |
| Gen 13:18 | "Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron..." | Hebron's ancient significance as Abraham's dwelling. |
| Gen 23:2 | "...and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. So Abraham stood up from before his dead..." | Sarah's burial in Hebron, link to covenant history. |
| Gen 35:27 | "Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron)..." | Hebron as a patriarchal center. |
| Josh 14:13-15 | "So Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb as an inheritance..." | Hebron given to Caleb for his faithfulness. |
| Num 13:22 | "They went up through the South and came to Hebron; Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there." | Hebron's status as an ancient, important city. |
| Ps 89:19-20 | "Then You spoke in a vision to Your holy one, and said: 'I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him.'" | God's direct appointment and anointing of David. |
| Nah 1:7 | "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who trust in Him." | Assurance for those who trust and inquire of God. |
| Ps 118:8-9 | "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man... than to put confidence in princes." | David's actions exemplify trust in God above all. |
2 Samuel 2 verses
2 Samuel 2 1 Meaning
After the death of King Saul, David, who had been anointed by God, sought precise divine guidance from the LORD regarding his next move. Instead of immediately seizing power, he humbly inquired whether he should enter any of the cities of Judah and, upon receiving a positive response, asked for the specific destination. The LORD explicitly directed him to Hebron, signaling God's precise plan for David's rightful ascension to kingship, starting with his own tribe of Judah.
2 Samuel 2 1 Context
The first verse of 2 Samuel chapter 2 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative immediately following the tragic deaths of Saul and his sons in battle (1 Samuel 31). David, having recently mourned Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1), stands at the threshold of kingship. He has been anointed by Samuel many years prior (1 Samuel 16), but has spent years fleeing Saul and serving the Philistines. The kingdom is leaderless and fractured. Rather than exploiting the power vacuum, David demonstrates his consistent reliance on the LORD by seeking divine direction for his next step, even concerning what seems to be a natural progression. The narrative implicitly sets David's faithful conduct in stark contrast to Saul's later disobedience and lack of seeking God's will. Hebron, an ancient city with deep roots in Israel's patriarchal history, located centrally within Judah, is strategically important both politically and spiritually as the designated initial capital of David's kingdom.
2 Samuel 2 1 Word analysis
- "After this" ('acharei-khen in Hebrew): Indicates a chronological progression from the events of chapter 1 (Saul's death, David's lament). It suggests a pause, a period of processing and prayer, rather than an immediate, impulsive grab for power. This highlights David's deliberateness and respect for the timing of God.
- "it came to pass that David inquired": (va-yi'shal David in Hebrew). The verb sha'al (to ask, inquire) signifies seeking counsel or an oracle. This was a common and divinely ordained method for kings and leaders in Israel to consult the LORD, often through the High Priest using the Urim and Thummim, or through a prophet. It underlines David's consistent habit of depending on God for guidance in all major decisions, distinguishing his leadership style.
- "of the LORD": (Hebrew: YHWH or Yahweh). Refers to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing that David sought counsel not from human advisors or other deities, but directly from the personal, sovereign God who had chosen him. This reinforces the covenant relationship between David and God.
- "saying": Introduces David's direct question, highlighting the dialogue and clarity of the divine exchange.
- "Shall I go up": (ha-e'leh in Hebrew). The verb 'alah means "to ascend," "to go up." It can imply a military advance, a pilgrimage, or a taking of possession. Here, it signifies a decisive movement into a new phase of his leadership, indicating his intention to establish himself in a particular location within his tribe's territory.
- "into any of the cities of Judah?": David’s initial question is general, indicating his readiness to go wherever God directs within his tribal land. It shows a humble, unpresumptuous readiness to obey rather than pre-determine his destiny or choose the most advantageous city.
- "And the LORD said to him, 'Go up.'": This is an immediate and affirming response from God, sanctioning David's general intent. It validates David's pursuit of kingship as divinely sanctioned and timely.
- "Then David said, 'Where shall I go up?'": Demonstrates David's thoroughness in seeking guidance. He does not stop at the general affirmation but seeks specific direction, refusing to assume the precise location. This pattern of specific inquiry underscores his reliance on God's wisdom for even practical details.
- "And He said, 'To Hebron.'": God's specific instruction provides the exact location. This detail is significant because Hebron was an ancient, highly revered city in Judah, known for its patriarchal associations (burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their wives) and Caleb’s inheritance, making it a fitting, covenantally rich starting point for God's anointed king.
- "David inquired of the LORD": This phrase group emphasizes David’s consistent devotion and the hallmark of his future reign—a profound dependence on divine wisdom. It directly contrasts with Saul's ultimate failure to consult God.
- "Go up... Where shall I go up?... To Hebron": This sequence illustrates the nature of divine guidance: it can begin with a general affirmation and then, upon further, specific inquiry, provide precise instructions. It shows a process of spiritual discernment and obedience.
2 Samuel 2 1 Bonus section
- The phrase "After this" is crucial, implying David took the appropriate time for mourning as detailed in 2 Samuel 1, before considering his political future. This spiritual maturity sets him apart.
- Hebron’s significance extends beyond being a major Judahite city. It was also a City of Refuge (Joshua 20:7) and a Levitical city, embedding David’s new capital within the framework of God's covenant law and provision.
- David's willingness to go wherever God commanded, even without knowing the precise location beforehand, exemplifies pure faith and trust. He committed to the journey before knowing the destination, trusting God would reveal the "where" in due course.
2 Samuel 2 1 Commentary
2 Samuel 2:1 is foundational for understanding David's reign. It establishes him not as a political opportunist seizing power, but as a devoted servant who consistently seeks the LORD's direction, even when human reasoning might suggest obvious courses of action. His twofold inquiry—first for a general affirmation, then for a specific location—demonstrates a humility and faith that contrasted sharply with Saul’s impulsive and disobedient leadership. God’s specific direction to Hebron was strategically vital and symbolically potent, anchoring David's new reign in the historical and covenantal heartland of Judah. This divine appointment in a city rich with patriarchal history underscores that David's kingship was part of God’s overarching plan for His people. It serves as a practical example for all believers: that seeking God's will is paramount, even for matters that appear obvious, and that God provides clear guidance for those who patiently wait and humbly inquire.