2 Samuel 2:9 kjv

And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:9 nkjv

and he made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:9 niv

He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:9 esv

and he made him king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel.

2 Samuel 2:9 nlt

There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.

2 Samuel 2 verses

2 Samuel 2 9 Meaning

2 Samuel 2:9 describes the geographical extent of the kingship established by Abner for Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. This realm encompassed regions east of the Jordan River (Gilead), parts of northern and central Israel (the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin), and was presented as ruling "over all Israel," thereby indicating a rival kingdom to David's rule in Judah. This act formalized the civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David, establishing a divided kingdom in the wake of Saul's death.

2 Samuel 2 9 Context

After Saul's death and the catastrophic defeat at Gilboa (2 Sam 1), David inquires of the Lord and is directed to Hebron, where the men of Judah anoint him king over Judah (2 Sam 2:1-4). Simultaneously, Abner, Saul's former commander of the army, takes Ish-bosheth (also called Ishbaal), Saul's son, to Mahanaim, a fortified city east of the Jordan, likely for safety and to establish a power base. Verse 9 then details Abner's initiative in setting Ish-bosheth as a rival king over the northern and central tribes of Israel, creating a fractured monarchy. This sets the stage for a protracted civil war between the house of Saul, represented by Ish-bosheth and led by Abner, and the house of David, divinely chosen but initially limited to Judah. The political and geographical divide underscores the conflict over legitimate leadership, leading to many years of fighting until David finally unifies all Israel.

2 Samuel 2 9 Word analysis

• and made him king: (Hebrew: wayyamlēk othô - וַיַּמְלֵךְ אֹתוֹ) The verb "made him king" clearly indicates Abner's action and agency, highlighting a human rather than divine installation. This stands in stark contrast to God's clear, previous appointment and anointing of David. Abner is proactively attempting to perpetuate Saul's dynasty despite God's pronouncements.
• over Gilead: Gilead was a territory located on the east side of the Jordan River. It served as a strategic initial base, possibly a safe haven for Abner and Ish-bosheth, reflecting the reality that Saul's remnant kingdom had to re-establish itself away from Judah's rising power. Its inclusion demonstrates Ish-bosheth's dominion beyond the traditional western territories.
• over the Ashurites: (Hebrew: ‛al ha’ǎshûrı̂ - עַל־הָאֲשׁוּרִי) The identity of the "Ashurites" is debated among scholars.
  • Some interpret it as referring to a tribe or clan in the northern parts of Israel, possibly connected to the Asher tribe, though geographically problematic.
  • Others suggest it refers to the inhabitants of the region called "Asshur" mentioned in Josh 17:7, possibly in the territory of Manasseh/Ephraim, near Shechem or within Jezreel Valley.
  • Another strong possibility, supported by some ancient versions and scholarly research, is that it is a textual variant of "Geshurites," a small Aramean kingdom near Bashan (Gilead's northern neighbor), whose princess later married David (2 Sam 3:3). The inclusion would highlight Abner's reach into semi-independent or non-Israelite groups on the frontier. Regardless, its mention points to the specific regional components forming Ish-bosheth's power base, suggesting a coalition built from distinct groups.
• over Jezreel: A strategically important valley region in the northern kingdom, providing access and control over vital trade routes and fertile land. Controlling Jezreel signifies significant power in the northern Israelite heartland.
• over Ephraim: One of the most populous and influential northern tribes, historically playing a leading role (Judg 8:1-3, Judg 12:1). Establishing control over Ephraim means significant influence over the central highlands and the core Israelite population.
• over Benjamin: This was Saul's own tribe (1 Sam 9:16). Their loyalty to Saul's house would have been strong due to familial and historical ties. Benjamin's location, bordering Judah, made it a critical territory, intensifying the immediate conflict with David's burgeoning kingdom in the south.
• and over all Israel: (Hebrew: we‘al kol Yisrael - וְעַל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל) This phrase is used in a specific, limited sense here. It signifies Ish-bosheth's claim to rule over all the northern and trans-Jordanian tribes, effectively all of Israel apart from Judah, who had already recognized David. It functions as a hyperbolic or ideal claim to represent the entire nation, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Abner's attempt to restore the Saulide monarchy. It also sets up the narrative contrast with 2 Sam 5:1-5, where David actually becomes king over "all Israel" (i.e., truly unified, including Judah). This dual kingship created profound disunity, going against God's intended unified people under a singular divinely-chosen king.

2 Samuel 2 9 Bonus section

The seemingly rapid rise of Ish-bosheth’s kingdom under Abner suggests a deep-seated resistance in the northern tribes to the perceived dominance of Judah, and a lingering loyalty to Saul's house. The detail of the diverse geographical areas listed—from trans-Jordan to the plains and highlands—illustrates Abner's political acumen in attempting to consolidate a broad, albeit fractured, power base against David. Ish-bosheth is presented as a puppet king, existing purely due to Abner's influence and manipulation. This stands in sharp contrast to David's character, who repeatedly sought divine counsel before acting (2 Sam 2:1), embodying true submission to the Lord's will even in adverse circumstances. This foundational act of creating two kingdoms for nearly a decade serves as a prefiguration of the later permanent schism between Israel and Judah after Solomon's reign, emphasizing the theme of disunity when divine direction is sidelined.

2 Samuel 2 9 Commentary

2 Samuel 2:9 succinctly details the political counter-movement led by Abner following King Saul's death. It presents Abner as the architect of a new kingship, anointing Ish-bosheth over substantial parts of Israel including the eastern territory of Gilead, strategic northern areas like Jezreel, the populous Ephraim, and Saul's home tribe of Benjamin. The concluding phrase "and over all Israel" signifies the claim that Ish-bosheth represented the majority of the nation outside of Judah, creating a definitive north-south schism. This verse highlights the profound disunity gripping Israel, a direct consequence of Saul's prior disobedience and God's rejection of his lineage. Abner, acting on human wisdom and loyalty to the deceased king, essentially sets human will against divine decree. He forces the establishment of a king rejected by God, leading to years of bloody civil war, proving that no amount of human maneuvering can thwart God's sovereign plan for His chosen leader. The conflict wasn't merely between two houses but between a human-fabricated kingdom and a divinely-ordained one, showcasing the ultimate futility of resisting God's purpose.