and made him king over Gilead
Gilead is a region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. It was a significant area for the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This region's mention highlights the division within Israel, as it was part of the territories that initially supported Saul's house. The anointing of Ish-bosheth as king over Gilead signifies the continuation of Saul's legacy and the resistance to David's rule. Gilead's strategic location made it a stronghold for those loyal to Saul's lineage.

Asher
Asher was one of the northern tribes of Israel, located along the Mediterranean coast. This tribe's inclusion under Ish-bosheth's rule indicates the extent of Saul's influence, as Asher was geographically distant from the central power in Judah. The tribe of Asher is often associated with prosperity and abundance, as seen in Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:20. However, their support for Ish-bosheth suggests a division in loyalty among the tribes of Israel.

Jezreel
Jezreel is a fertile valley in northern Israel, known for its strategic military importance. It was the site of many significant battles, including those involving Gideon and the Midianites. The mention of Jezreel under Ish-bosheth's rule underscores the military and agricultural significance of the region. This area was also associated with the house of Ahab and Jezebel, adding a layer of historical complexity to its mention. The control of Jezreel was crucial for maintaining power in the northern kingdom.

Ephraim
Ephraim was one of the most prominent tribes of Israel, often representing the northern kingdom as a whole. The tribe's support for Ish-bosheth highlights the deep-seated division between the northern and southern tribes. Ephraim's historical rivalry with Judah is evident in various biblical narratives, including the split of the kingdom after Solomon's reign. The tribe's inclusion under Ish-bosheth's rule reflects the ongoing tension and competition for leadership within Israel.

and Benjamin
Benjamin was the tribe of Saul, and its support for Ish-bosheth is expected, given their familial ties. The tribe's location, bordering Judah, made it a critical area of contention between the supporters of Saul's house and David. Benjamin's loyalty to Ish-bosheth underscores the personal and tribal loyalties that influenced the political landscape of Israel. The tribe's eventual shift in allegiance to David is a pivotal moment in the unification of the kingdom.

over all Israel
The phrase "over all Israel" is significant as it highlights the claim of Ish-bosheth to the entire nation, despite the reality of a divided kingdom. This claim reflects the ongoing struggle for legitimacy and authority between the house of Saul and David. The division of Israel during this period foreshadows the later split into the northern and southern kingdoms. The phrase also emphasizes the theme of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plan for Israel, ultimately leading to the establishment of David's dynasty and the foreshadowing of the Messianic kingdom.

1. Ish-bosheth
The son of Saul, who was made king over Israel by Abner, Saul's army commander. His reign represents a division in the kingdom following Saul's death.

2. Abner
The commander of Saul's army who played a crucial role in making Ish-bosheth king. His actions highlight the political maneuvering and power struggles of the time.

3. Gilead
A region east of the Jordan River, known for its balm and rugged terrain. It was one of the territories over which Ish-bosheth was made king.

4. Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin
These are tribes and regions within Israel. Their mention signifies the extent of Ish-bosheth's rule, though it was not universally accepted.

5. David
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David is the anointed king of Judah and represents God's chosen leader, contrasting with Ish-bosheth's politically motivated kingship.God's Sovereignty vs. Human Politics
Ish-bosheth's kingship was established through human political maneuvering, not divine appointment. This reminds us to seek God's will rather than relying solely on human strategies.

Unity in God's Kingdom
The division between David and Ish-bosheth's followers serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of division within God's people. Unity should be sought under God's chosen leadership.

The Temporary Nature of Human Authority
Ish-bosheth's reign was short-lived, illustrating that human authority is temporary and ultimately subject to God's eternal plan.

Trust in God's Timing
David waited for God's timing to become king over all Israel, teaching us patience and trust in God's perfect timing for our lives.1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 2:9?

2. How does 2 Samuel 2:9 illustrate God's sovereignty over Israel's leadership decisions?

3. What can we learn about loyalty from Abner's actions in 2 Samuel 2:9?

4. How does 2 Samuel 2:9 connect to God's covenant with David in 1 Samuel?

5. How should we respond when leadership decisions seem contrary to God's promises?

6. What does 2 Samuel 2:9 teach about trusting God's timing in leadership transitions?

7. Why did Abner make Ish-bosheth king over Israel in 2 Samuel 2:9?

8. How does 2 Samuel 2:9 reflect the division within Israel?

9. What does 2 Samuel 2:9 reveal about God's sovereignty in leadership?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 2?

11. Does the sudden bestowal of Saul's property to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:7-10 conflict with earlier accounts suggesting David had already taken Saul's possessions?

12. In 2 Samuel 9:3, how do we reconcile David's swift willingness to help Saul's descendant with the longstanding hostilities described elsewhere in 1 and 2 Samuel?

13. Why does David's decision in 2 Samuel 19:29 seemingly contradict earlier promises of favor and land for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9)?

14. In 2 Samuel 9:1, how is it historical or archaeologically verifiable that no one else knew of Saul's surviving heir except David's court?He made him king

• Abner, Saul’s seasoned commander, “made him king” (2 Samuel 2:9). This was Abner’s political decision, not the Lord’s anointing. David had already been chosen by God and anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:1–13), and Judah had just crowned David at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4).

• The verse highlights a contrast between man-made appointment and God-ordained kingship (cf. 1 Samuel 15:28; 2 Samuel 3:10). Abner was trying to preserve Saul’s dynasty, yet God’s plan for David would prevail (2 Samuel 5:1–3).

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Over Gilead

• Gilead lay east of the Jordan, home to parts of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh (Joshua 22:1–9). Settlements there had long been loyal to Saul’s house (1 Samuel 11:1-4).

• By securing Gilead, Abner gained a natural fortress—rugged terrain and distance from Judah made it a safe base while he regrouped Saul’s followers (cf. Numbers 32:1-5; 2 Samuel 17:26).

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Over Asher

• “Ashurites” refers to the tribe of Asher along the northern coast (Joshua 19:24-31).

• Their inclusion shows that Abner’s influence reached the far north. Yet even this tribal backing could not override God’s covenant choice of David (Psalm 89:3-4).

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Over Jezreel

• Jezreel Valley was a fertile, strategic plain connecting north and south (1 Samuel 29:1).

• Controlling Jezreel meant command of key trade and military routes, but earthly strongholds do not guarantee divine favor (Proverbs 21:31).

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Over Ephraim

• Ephraim was the dominant central tribe and often stood for the northern kingdom as a whole (Hosea 5:3).

• Winning Ephraim gave Ish-bosheth credibility; nevertheless, Judah’s allegiance to David foretold Israel’s eventual unity under Davidic rule (2 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 5:1).

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Over Benjamin—over all Israel

• Benjamin, Saul’s own tribe (1 Samuel 9:1-2), was naturally loyal. By citing Benjamin last, Scripture emphasizes Saul’s house as the core of resistance.

• The phrase “over all Israel” reflects Abner’s claim rather than an accomplished fact. Judah, in reality, was already following David (2 Samuel 2:10-11). God allowed a season of divided rule to reveal hearts and to vindicate David’s patience and obedience (2 Samuel 3:1; Psalm 37:7).

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summary

2 Samuel 2:9 records Abner’s attempt to prop up Saul’s dynasty by installing Ish-bosheth over key regions—Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—claiming “all Israel.” The verse underscores a man-centered kingdom in competition with God’s chosen king. Though Abner secured impressive territory, the Lord’s promise to David stood firm. This brief season of divided monarchy illustrates the futility of human schemes against God’s declared will and sets the stage for Israel’s eventual reunification under David, the true anointed king.

(9) The Ashurites, and over Jezreel.--This verse apparently expresses the gradual extension of Ishbosheth's dominion as the country became freed from the Philistines. At first, his authority was established over Gilead--i.e., the country on the east of the Jordan; then "over the Ashurites." No satisfactory explanation of this name as it stands has been found, but it is probably meant for Asherites, or the tribe of Asher, the reading of some MSS. and of the Chaldee Version; the name of this tribe standing for the whole region west of the Jordan, and north of the plain of Esdraelon; then southwards, "over Jezreel,"the wide plain between the mountains of Gilboa and the little Hermon; then "over Ephraim," including the half-tribe of Manasseh; and, still southwards, "over Benjamin;" and finally, "over all Israel," excepting, of course, Judah.

Verse 9. - Make him king over. A different preposition is used with the first three names from that employed afterwards, as though Ishbosheth's reign over Gilead and Jezreel was a reality, but that he had only a shadowy claim to dominion over Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. Gilead. As Mahanaim lay upon the borders of Gad and Manasseh, Abner would easily control these two tribes, and Reuben, which was never an active or enterprising tribe, would follow their lead. Of the Ashurites nothing is known, and the reading is uncertain, as the LXX. has "Thasir," and the Vulgate and Syriac "Geshur." The Chaldee paraphrase boldly gives "the house of Asher;" but this tribe lay close to Phoenicia, on the extreme northwest. There are two places called Geshur (see on 2 Samuel 3:3), but neither of them seems meant, and more probably it was some place the name of which was uncommon, and so was wrongly copied by scribes until the present confusion arose. Jezreel. The name of this place, as specially subject to Ishbosheth, is surprising; for the town, at this time of no importance, lay in the wide plain between the mountains of Gilboa and the little Hermon. But this district was the prize won by the Philistines, and was a region where their cavalry and chariots gave them a great advantage. For Ishbosheth to have had even a nominal dominion over Jezreel, he must either have become a tributary, or Abner must have maintained a not unsuccessful struggle there after the battle of Gilboa. The latter is the more probable. In safe possession of all the country east of the Jordan, Abner was not likely to consent to anything so humiliating as submission to the Philistines; while David's connection with Achish made it neither so galling to him nor so disadvantageous. As the Transjordanic tribes assembled at Hebron to make David king to the number of one hundred and twenty thousand men (1 Chronicles 12:37), Abner plainly had large resources at his command, and, though the people were not very earnest in the cause of Saul's house, yet they would probably assemble in considerable numbers after the battle of Gilboa, to prevent any irruption of the victors into their country. At their head Abner probably gained some advantages over the Philistines, and thus became powerful enough to proclaim Ishbosheth king, and as Ephraim and Benjamin acquiesced, he became nominally ruler over all Israel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


and made him king
וַיַּמְלִכֵ֙הוּ֙ (way·yam·li·ḵê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Gilead,
הַגִּלְעָ֔ד (hag·gil·‘āḏ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites

Asher,
הָאֲשׁוּרִ֖י (hā·’ă·šū·rî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 805: Asshurim -- descendant of Asshur, also a region of Israel

Jezreel,
יִזְרְעֶ֑אל (yiz·rə·‘el)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3157: Jezreel -- 'God sows', two Israelites, also two cities in Israel, also a valley in Northern Israel

Ephraim,
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

Benjamin—
בִּנְיָמִ֔ן (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

over
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כֻּלֹּֽה׃ (kul·lōh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: 2 Samuel 2:9 And he made him king over Gilead (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)