Big Idea: The Lord fulfills his promises to his chosen servants as his people depend on his providence and align their desires with his purposes.

Understanding the Text

With Saul’s death, David’s path was open to the throne of Israel. This next part of the unfolding story (2:1–5:5) tells how David fulfills his destiny and ascends the throne. This is a distinct literary unit, marked out by an inclusio. It begins with David’s being anointed in Hebron by the men of Judah (2:1–4) and ends with all Israel coming to Hebron and anointing him king over the entire nation (5:1–5). In between, the narrator tells how Benjamite opposition is eliminated, but not by any wrongdoing on David’s part.

After Saul’s death, David does not try to seize the throne. He first asks the Lord if he should even retu…