SUMMARY
DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More is proclaimed King of JudahJudah was the name of Jacob's fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More in Hebron, while Ish-bosheth is proclaimed King of Israel in Mahanaim.
ANALYSIS
The presentation of the two kings can hardly be more different. David enquired of the LORD who sent him to Hebron, he and his two wives, and all the loyal men who were with him. David sent words of thanks, and an invitation to join him to those men of Jabesh-Gilead who had bravely rescued Saul’s and Jonathan’s remains. David actively follows God and rewards loyalty, even loyalty to SaulThe first king of Israel. More, David’s former pursuer.
In the same vicinity of Jabesh-Gilead, Abner takes Ish-bosheth to Mahanaim to make him king over Israel. Interestingly, Hebron was inside the land west of the Jordan, whereas Mahanaim was east of the Jordan, in the territory of GadA son of Jacob and one of the 12 tribes. More. David would later flee to Mahanaim while on his retreat from AbsalomThe son of King David who tried to usurp David's throne. More, and it was there that David would learn of his son’s death.
As its name suggests (Mahanaim is translated as “two camps”) the place will signify in 2 Kings that Israel is divided among itself and not at peace. The place was named earlier, according to Genesis, by JacobThe son of Isaac and Rebekah, renamed Israel, became the father of the twelve tribal families. More when he fled from a family member trying to kill him (Genesis 32:2).
