2 Samuel 2:11

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

And the time {H4557}{H3117} that David {H1732} was king {H4428} in Hebron {H2275} over the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063} was seven {H7651} years {H8141} and six {H8337} months {H2320}.

David was king in Hevron over the house of Y'hudah for seven years and six months.

And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Commentary

Context

Second Samuel opens with the aftermath of King Saul's death, marking a tumultuous period in Israel's history. Following Saul and Jonathan's demise in battle, David, who had been anointed by Samuel years earlier (1 Samuel 16:13), was called by God to go up to Hebron. There, the men of Judah anointed him king over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). Verse 11 precisely states the duration of this initial, partial reign: seven years and six months. During this time, a rival kingdom existed in the north under Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, creating a divided monarchy and a period of civil strife before David eventually became king over all Israel.

Key Themes

  • Transition of Power: This verse highlights a critical phase in the transfer of leadership from the house of Saul to the house of David. It wasn't an immediate or unified succession but a gradual process marked by a divided kingdom.
  • God's Timing and David's Patience: The seven and a half years in Hebron demonstrate God's precise timing for David's full ascension to the throne of Israel. David waited patiently for the Lord to establish his kingdom, even while facing opposition and a divided nation. This period was crucial for David to solidify his base of support in Judah.
  • Partial Fulfillment: David's reign in Hebron represents a partial fulfillment of God's promise to make him king over all Israel. It shows that divine plans often unfold in stages, requiring faithfulness in the interim.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "seven years and six months" (Hebrew: sheva shanim v'shesh chodashim) is a precise historical marker. It emphasizes the exact duration of David's reign limited to the southern kingdom of Judah, centered in Hebron, before he united the twelve tribes under his rule. There are no complex hidden meanings in the KJV text; it's a straightforward chronological detail.

Practical Application

The period of David's reign in Hebron offers valuable lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God's plans often unfold in stages: Just as David's kingship was established incrementally, our own journeys often involve periods of waiting, partial fulfillment, and growth before reaching a desired outcome.
  • Patience is a virtue: David's example encourages us to exercise patience and trust in God's perfect timing, even when circumstances seem prolonged or incomplete.
  • Faithfulness in smaller roles prepares for greater responsibility: David faithfully governed Judah during this time, building trust and demonstrating his leadership qualities, which prepared him for the larger task of ruling all Israel later (2 Samuel 5:5). We too are called to be faithful in our current capacities.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 2:11 (5 votes)

    And the days that David reigned over Israel [were] forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Samuel 5:4 (3 votes)

    David [was] thirty years old when he began to reign, [and] he reigned forty years.

  • 2 Samuel 5:5 (3 votes)

    In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:4 (2 votes)

    [These] six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:27 (2 votes)

    And the time that he reigned over Israel [was] forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three [years] reigned he in Jerusalem.