2 Samuel 2:2 kjv

So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

2 Samuel 2:2 nkjv

So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.

2 Samuel 2:2 niv

So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.

2 Samuel 2:2 esv

So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.

2 Samuel 2:2 nlt

David's two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 2 Meaning

Second Samuel 2:2 details David's relocation, under divine guidance, from Ziklag to Hebron. Hebron becomes the initial seat of his kingdom over the tribe of Judah, following the death of King Saul. The verse explicitly mentions the presence of his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, highlighting the established nature of his household and implicitly underscoring the communal and personal aspect of this foundational step in his reign.

2 Samuel 2 2 Context

Following the death of Saul and his sons in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 31), David mourns deeply (2 Sam 1). This period marks the end of David's long tenure as a fugitive, anointed by Samuel years earlier but never recognized as king. At this critical juncture, David seeks specific divine direction regarding his next move, specifically where he should establish himself and his household in Judah (2 Sam 2:1). The LORD explicitly instructs him to go to Hebron. Verse 2 details David's immediate obedience to this divine command, initiating his reign, though initially only over Judah. Hebron itself holds significant historical and religious weight, having deep ties to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

2 Samuel 2 2 Word analysis

• So David went up thither:

  • "So" (וַיַּעַל, va·ya·‘al): The conjunction "so" (and) links this action directly to the divine instruction received in the previous verse (2 Sam 2:1), emphasizing David's immediate and obedient response to God's command.
  • "went up" (עָלָה, ‘alah): This Hebrew verb frequently signifies "to ascend" or "to go up." It carries geographical significance, as Hebron is elevated relative to Ziklag and the Shephelah. Beyond physical elevation, "going up" can denote a significant, purposeful, and sometimes sacred movement, often associated with pilgrimage or a formal ascent to power, hinting at the momentous nature of this move for David.
  • "thither": This refers specifically to Hebron, a major city in Judah with strong historical ties to the patriarchal period and a strategic location. It was also a designated city of refuge and a Levitical city (Josh 21:11, 13). Its choice as David's initial capital legitimizes his rule by associating him with a venerated site.

• and his two wives also:

  • "wives" (נָשִׁים, nashim): The mention of David's wives highlights his established household, an essential aspect of social and political standing in ancient Israel. While the Law cautioned against multiplying wives (Deut 17:17), this practice was common among kings and patriarchs. The narrative simply reports the reality of David's household, which would become an increasing source of familial and political complication throughout his reign. The inclusion signifies that he did not go alone, but brought his family, symbolizing the transfer of his court.

• Ahinoam the Jezreelitess:

  • "Ahinoam": One of David's wives. Her background from Jezreel differentiates her and highlights his existing family structure. David rescued her when she was captured by the Amalekites (1 Sam 30:5, 18).

• and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite:

  • "Abigail": Notably, she is described as "the wife of Nabal the Carmelite," even though Nabal was already dead and she was married to David. This specific description connects back to her remarkable story (1 Sam 25) where her wisdom and discernment saved David and his men from committing rash revenge against Nabal, thereby preventing David from incurring blood-guilt. Her inclusion underscores her importance in David's life and her notable character. Her being from Carmel points to her specific geographical origin within Judah.

2 Samuel 2 2 Bonus section

• Hebron served as David's capital for seven and a half years before he became king over all Israel and moved to Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:5). This period established his authority within Judah before the unified kingdom.
• The emphasis on David's obedience to inquiry of the Lord in 2 Sam 2:1-2 contrasts sharply with King Saul's later disobedience and reliance on mediums, highlighting the divine favor upon David's early rule.
• The named wives not only show David's current household but also prefigure the broader issues of polygamy and royal marriages that would have significant impacts on the monarchy's stability in subsequent generations, especially seen in King Solomon's life (1 Kgs 11).

2 Samuel 2 2 Commentary

Second Samuel 2:2 is more than a simple geographical update; it marks the commencement of David's reign over Judah, sanctioned by direct divine command. David's immediate obedience sets a vital precedent for his kingship: acting only in accordance with the LORD's will, a characteristic that largely defined his initial years as king. The presence of his two named wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, signifies the familial aspect of his leadership; he moves not merely as an individual but as a head of a household, solidifying his status and laying the groundwork for his future dynasty. This seemingly minor detail regarding his household reveals the intricate social and political fabric of kingship in ancient Israel, where a king's household was inseparable from his governmental and symbolic role. It also subtly introduces a common feature of ancient kingships – the multiplicity of wives – which, while legal, was warned against for its potential spiritual dangers later manifested in David and Solomon's lives. This move to Hebron is thus a strategic and spiritual pivotal moment, divinely guided, institutionally recognized, and personally foundational.