2 Samuel 2:1

2 Samuel 2:1 in other versions

• New International Version (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.
• English Standard Version (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."
• New King James Version (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.”
• New Living Translation (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.

Context of 2 Samuel 2:1

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired 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. 2So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. 3And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

2 Samuel 2:1 word by word

וַיְהִ֣י אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן וַיִּשְׁאַל֩ דָּוִ֨ד בַּֽיהוָ֤ה׀ לֵאמֹר֙ הַאֶעֱלֶ֗ה בְּאַחַת֙ עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה אֵלָ֖יו עֲלֵ֑ה וַיֹּ֧אמֶר דָּוִ֛ד אָ֥נָה אֶעֱלֶ֖ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר חֶבְרֹֽנָה׃Read the interlinear

• And it came to pass after thisאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• that Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• enquiredשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Shall I go upעָלָה‛âlâh · to ascend: riseH5927
• into anyאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
• of the citiesעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• of Judahיְהוּדָהyehûdâh · JudahH3063
• Unto Hebronחֶבְרוֹןchebrôn · HebronH2275

Cross-references for 2 Samuel 2:1

• 2 Samuel 5:19And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
• Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the Lord: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
• Judges 1:1Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
• 1 Samuel 23:2Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
• 1 Samuel 30:7And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
• Psalms 25:4Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
• Psalms 27:4One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
• Psalms 143:8Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
• Proverbs 3:5Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
• Ezekiel 36:37Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.
• 2 Samuel 2:11And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
• 2 Samuel 5:1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
• 2 Samuel 15:7And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
• Genesis 32:2And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
• Numbers 13:22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
• Joshua 14:14Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1David inquired of the Lord - By means of Abiathar the priest; for he did not know whether the different tribes were willing to receive him, though he was fully persuaded that God had appointed him king over Israel. Unto Hebron - The metropolis of the tribe of Judah, one of the richest regions in Judea. The mountains of Hebron were famed for fruits, herbage, and honey; and many parts were well adapted for vines, olives, and different kinds of grain…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Enquired of the Lord - Through Abiathar, the high priest. The death of Saul and Jonathan had entirely changed David‘s position, and therefore he needed divine guidance how to act under the new circumstances in which he was placed. Compare the marginal references. Hebron was well suited for the temporary capital of David‘s kingdom, being situated in a strong position in the mountains of Judah, amidst David‘s friends, and withal having especially sacred…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David made king in Hebron. (1-7) Abner makes Ishbosheth king Battle between Abner's men and those of Joab. (8-17) Asahel slain by Abner. (25-32) Both parties retreat. (18-24) Verses 1-7 After the death of Saul, many went to David at Ziklag, 1Ch 12:22, but he trusted in God who promised him the kingdom, to give it in his own time and manner. Yet assurance of hope in God's promise, will quicken pious endeavours. If I be chosen to the crown of life, it does…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1David asked the Lord for guidance (see 2 Samuel 5:23–24; Judges 1:1–2; 20:18; 1 Samuel 10:22). He did this by consulting the Urim and Thummim (see Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 14:41). Abiathar, David’s priest, administered them (1 Samuel 23:1–12; 30:7–8). David acted only when God directed him. He did not act before receiving guidance. Hebron was about thirty kilometers (nineteen miles) southwest of Jerusalem. Abraham lived in…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-72Sa 2:1-7. David, by God's Direction, Goes Up to Hebron, and Is Made King over Judah. 1-4. David inquired of the Lord--By Urim (1Sa 23:6, 9; 30:7, 8). He knew his destination, but he knew also that the providence of God would pave the way. Therefore he would take no step in such a crisis of his own and the nation's history, without asking and obtaining the divine direction. He was told to go into Judah, and fix his headquarters in Hebron, whither he…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Samuel 2:1

• Armies
• David
• Hebron
• Judah
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• David
• Hebron
• Judah
• Hebron, Kiriath Arba
• Judah, kingdom of Judah
• Judea, Judah
• Cord
• Follow
• Ishbosheth
• Requite

Commentaries on 2 Samuel 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings