Reading for April 24th

 Read 2 Samuel 2.1-7. In 2.1-32: Civil war. In verse 1: David inquired of the Lord by means of some device, like lots, which could provide answers to yes/no questions. Hence, his question about going to any of the cities of Judah received a yes answer. By process of elimination he then determined that Hebron was the chosen city. Hebron was the capital of Judah. In verse 2: David's two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, were both from the area around Hebron and were therefore important political assets for his assumption of the throne of Judah. Through his marriage to Abigail, David had assumed the wealth and position of a prominent Calebite leader perhaps their chieftain (1 Sam 25). The Calebites were a prominent clan in Judah. In verse 4a: The people of Judah may be the same as the elders of Judah to who David distributed the spoil from his defeat of the Amalekites (1 Sam 30.26-31). They anointed David by smearing oil on his head. this was a symbol of election. "Messiah" is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for anointed. In verses 4b-7: The people of Jabesh in the region of Gilead were among Saul's most loyal supporters. He had rescued them at the beginning of his reign (1 Sam 10.27b-11.15), and returned the favor by rescuing his corpse from the Philistines (1 Sam 31.11-13). David congratulates them for their loyalty (v. 5) and invites them to join him as Saul's replacement (vv. 6-7). By making overtures to the enclaves of Saul's strongest support he forces the hand of Saul's successor, Ishbaal, whereupon civil war between Israel and Judah ensues. Comments or Question..