2 Samuel 2:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The men of Judah anoint David king over their tribe, and word reaches him that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul.
What Does 2 Samuel 2:4 Mean?
At Hebron the men of Judah come and anoint David king over their house. This is the second time he has been anointed, after Samuel poured oil on him as a youth; now the act is public and tribal. In the same breath David is told that the men of Jabesh-gilead had given Saul an honorable burial, recovering his body from the Philistines.
The kingdom comes to David in pieces and over time, beginning with one tribe rather than all twelve at once. God's promises often unfold gradually, asking patience between the pledge and its fullness. David's attention turning at once to those who honored Saul shows a heart free of vengeance, ready to bless even where others might gloat.
2 Samuel 2:4 in the Original Language
mashach (מָשַׁח), 'anointed' -- to smear with oil, setting a person apart for sacred office; the root behind 'Messiah.'
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 2:4
What does 2 Samuel 2:4 mean?
The men of Judah anoint David king over their tribe, and word reaches him that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul.