⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron,^(A) and there they anointed^(B) David king over the tribe of Judah.

When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead^(C) who had buried Saul,

²¹ Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant^(A) with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.”^(B) So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

³ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed^(A) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.