The men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah. This happens at Hebron before all Israel later unites under him. See 2 Samuel 2:4.
In 2 Samuel 2:4–7, the leaders of Judah publicly install David as their king. David then responds to news that the men of Jabesh-gilead buried Saul by sending them a message of blessing and appreciation. He asks Yahweh to treat them with loyal kindness and reliability, and he also promises to repay their kindness himself. This scene follows David’s return from living among the Philistines and his move to Hebron after Saul’s death. The narrative turns from Saul’s collapse to the question of who will lead Israel next, and it shows leadership beginning region by region rather than all at once.
This passage presents a careful transition of leadership after Saul’s death. Judah publicly recognizes David as king over Judah, not yet over all Israel (explicit). At the same time, David honors the men of Jabesh-gilead for burying Saul, treating that burial as loyal kindness toward their rightful ruler (explicit).
A common mistake is to treat this as trivia. Names, places, numbers, and sequence details often carry memory, covenant identity, or narrative movement in the biblical story.
Start with 2 Samuel 2:4, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
4The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, saying, The men of Jabesh-gilead were those who buried Saul.