Chapter 10: The Shepherd Becomes King

After the death of Saul, David inquired of the Lord.

DAVID“Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?”

GOD“Go up to Hebron.”

So David went - with his wives, his men, and their families. And there, the men of Judah came and anointed him king over their tribe.

But the nation was divided. Saul had one surviving son, Ish-bosheth, and he ruled the northern tribes. For seven years there was conflict in the land. David grew stronger while the house of Saul grew weaker.

Then the elders of all Israel came to David at Hebron. They remembered how he had led them in battle, even when Saul was king. They remembered what the Lord had spoken: "You shall shepherd my people Israel, and be ruler over them."

And there, before the Lord, they anointed David king over all Israel. He had waited for more than a decade since Samuel first poured oil on his head in his father's house.

David reigned forty years. He governed Jerusalem and made it his city. He brought the ark of God into its walls. He defeated every enemy who rose against him.

And the Lord was with him.

The shepherd boy had become the king. The promise given in Bethlehem had come to pass.