Shmuel II Chapter 2 | King Over Yehuda

This chapter narrates the beginning of David's reign and the initial division of the kingdom. After Sha’ul's death, David intends to unite the kingdom under his rule and sends messengers to the people of Yavesh Gilad. Ostensibly, the message is to hearten them after burying Sha’ul, but it also hints at the next step after Sha’ul's death: "Now, be determined, valiant warriors, for your lord Sha’ul is dead, while the house of Yehuda has appointed me as king over them."

However, David is overly optimistic. Immediately after Sha’ul's death, Avner ensures that Ish Boshet, a relatively unimpressive figure, is crowned king, allowing Avner to retain power: "He appointed him over the Gilad, the Ashurites, Yizre’el, Efrayim, and Binyamin — over all of Israel." Ish Boshet, not being a self-appointed king but rather a puppet ruler, had neither joined Sha’ul and Yonatan in battle nor been mentioned in the narrative until this point — hardly fit to be king of Israel.

David will eventually unite the kingdom under his rule, but not without cost. The first payment comes in this chapter with the battle at the pool of Givon, resulting in casualties on both sides. This cost, like many to come, reflects the price paid for the divisions in Tanakh: deaths in civil wars, displays of weakness to external enemies, and a growing sense that Israel is less and less one unified people.