This verse from 2 Samuel 2:10 provides key information about the political landscape of Israel after the death of King Saul and his sons:
Ishbosheth, Saul's son: Ishbosheth was one of Saul's surviving sons, and he was put forward as a claimant to the throne after Saul's death in battle.
was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years: This gives us Ishbosheth's age at the start of his reign and the length of his reign. He was not universally accepted as king, and his rule was challenged by David.
But the house of Judah followed David: This is the most crucial part. It highlights the division within Israel. While Ishbosheth claimed kingship over all of Israel, the tribe of Judah (David's tribe) chose to follow David as their king. This established two rival kingdoms within the former united kingdom of Israel.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of a fragmented Israel after Saul's death. Ishbosheth, backed by Saul's general Abner, controlled part of the territory, while David, backed by the tribe of Judah, controlled another. This sets the stage for a power struggle between the two men and their factions.
This verse from 2 Samuel 2:10 provides key information about the political landscape of Israel after the death of King Saul and his sons:
Ishbosheth, Saul's son: Ishbosheth was one of Saul's surviving sons, and he was put forward as a claimant to the throne after Saul's death in battle.
was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years: This gives us Ishbosheth's age at the start of his reign and the length of his reign. He was not universally accepted as king, and his rule was challenged by David.
But the house of Judah followed David: This is the most crucial part. It highlights the division within Israel. While Ishbosheth claimed kingship over all of Israel, the tribe of Judah (David's tribe) chose to follow David as their king. This established two rival kingdoms within the former united kingdom of Israel.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of a fragmented Israel after Saul's death. Ishbosheth, backed by Saul's general Abner, controlled part of the territory, while David, backed by the tribe of Judah, controlled another. This sets the stage for a power struggle between the two men and their factions.