2 Samuel 2:1

2 Samuel 2:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.  David did not immediately attack the Philistines occupying Israel, but he first consulted God about whether he should or not, and God told him to go.  We should always pray before we take any action, especially any that might be taken rashly out of anger.  David then asked God where he should go and God told him Hebron.  If God is telling us to go, we need to make sure we know where He is telling us to go. Verse two adds, So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.  David, who was now indeed king whether the majority of the people of Israel knew it or not, took his two wives and went as God had told him to do.  There would really be no need to return, as there is no need for us to return to where we were before answering God's call, especially the call to salvation.  Verse three continues, And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.  David also brought his men and all their households with him and they lived in Hebron.  After we have responded to God's call, we need to bring as many people to Him to join us in the battle against evil as we can.  Verse four states, And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.  The people of Hebron anointed David as their king, but he had already been anointed as king of Israel by God through Samuel.  Once we are called to a particular role by God, it is nice to have people acknowledge it, but not necessary, and if God hasn't called us, then the appointment by people does not matter.  Verse five adds, And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.  David had been told of the fact that the men of Jabeshgilead had buried Saul, and he sent messengers to thank them for their kindness in doing this.  We should always be thankful for the good works of others and let them know that we are.  Verse six continues, And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.  David said that as they had shown kindness to Saul in buring his sons and him, that David was going to need them to show kindness to him.  He did not make demands on them.  We should go to people asking for their help if we need it and never attempt to demand it, even though David as king could have.  Verse seven concludes, Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.  David asked them to be valiant for their master Saul and said that the people of Hebron had anointed him as their king.  He didn't mention Samuel anointing him years before under God's authority, since Samuel was dead and this would have been harder to verify.  Though ultimately God's call is all that matters, it is always better if other people can verify the fact that they know this to be true also.  Verse eight adds, But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;  Abner, the captain of Saul's army took Ishbosheth, one of Saul's sons who had not been killed, and brought him to Mahanaim.  Abner evidently felt that he was the authority, even though Israel had been defeated and Saul killed while he was in charge of the army.  Some people today who have failed to do what they are called to do still want the authority to do it.  Verse nine adds, And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.  Abner anointed Ishbosheth as king over all of Israel, without consulting God.  There are still people who assume authority in God's kingdom that God has not given them.  Verse ten says, Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.  Ishbosheth reigned over Israel for two years starting when he was forty, except for Hebron, which acknowledged David as king.  Having many people acknowledge them as being the one to fill a particular position does not mean that God appointed them to it.  Verse eleven adds, And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.  David was king of Hebron for seven years and six months.  He still was not claiming his God anointed role as king over all of Israel and evidently the Philistines were not giving them too much trouble.  Once we know what God has called us to do, we shouldn't be content in doing any less.