שמואל ב, פרק ב׳, פסוק ד׳

Upon arriving in Hebron, David begins a complex transition from a military commander to an actual king, though initially only on a partial scale. The men of Judah step forward to crown him over their own tribe, knowing they lack the authority to make him king over the entire nation. They select David because he commands the most organized military force remaining in the land and is widely recognized as the most worthy individual for the position [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This gradual rise to power aligns perfectly with God's plan, as the time has not yet arrived for David to rule over all of Israel [מלבי״ם].

Since David had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel years prior, this second anointing serves a distinct purpose. It represents his official, practical acceptance as king by the people [רד״ק]. There are differing perspectives on David's personal approach to this moment. One view suggests that out of humility, David kept his previous anointing a secret from the men of Judah, waiting patiently for them to approach him on their own. A contrasting approach maintains that Samuel's anointing was actually public knowledge. Even so, David refrained from demanding the crown; he allowed the men of Judah to initiate the process and come to him of their own free will [חומת אנך].

While David works to establish his new government in Hebron, reports arrive from the broader national arena. Messengers come to inform David about the actions of the men of Jabesh Gilead [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The report details how these men risked their lives to rescue the bodies of Saul and his sons from the walls of Beth-shan, bringing Saul to an honorable burial. They performed this dangerous mission out of deep gratitude for the kindness Saul had shown them at the very beginning of his own reign [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם].

This information presents David with a profound moral and political test. Typically, newly established rulers, especially those who control only a fraction of the nation and seek to consolidate power, eliminate the loyalists of the previous regime to prevent future uprisings. By risking their lives to bury Saul, the men of Jabesh Gilead clearly demonstrated their enduring loyalty to the fallen king and his dynasty. Yet, David acts with strict justice, rejecting the standard political cruelty of the era. Rather than growing angry or viewing them as a threat, he looks upon their dedication with favor and chooses to bless them for their noble kindness [מלבי״ם].