a. David’s rise to power (11:1-12:40)

The author has organized this unit on the basis of the geography and chronology of David’s headquarters. The outer paragraphs, 11:1-3 and 12:23-40, describe David’s coronation at Hebron. In 12:1-7 and 12:19-22 David lives in Ziklag. The inner sections, 12:8-15 and 12:16-18, place David in his mountain stronghold in the earliest years of his struggle.

David’s kingship gains broad support within all Israel, even within Saul’s own tribe, at the earliest stage of his rise to power. The people confirm God’s will by crowning David. The chronicler’s report differs from the story of 1Sa 16-2Sa 5, since he does not present a David gradually winning the loyalty of the tribes.

David is crowned at Hebron (11:1-3). The chronicler ignores material of 2Sa 1-5 to juxtapose Saul’s fall and David’s accession. All Israel makes three appeals to persuade David to become king. The first is kinship. The second is David’s importance in military successes under Saul’s administration. The last is God’s anointing of David for this position. The chronicler apparently assumes that his reader knew of Samuel’s ministry.

David conquers Jerusalem (11:4-9). This unit interrupts the report of David’s support and is connected to the preceding paragraph by the theme of David’s capitals. This pericope describes the acquisition of the neutral site that was to become the political and religious center of the Davidic monarchy. Politically, Jerusalem unifies the North and South around David. Later, with the founding of the temple, the site acquires religious importance.

Three significant points emerge from this account. David takes the city despite the Jebusites' confidence. Second, Joab becomes commander-in-chief for his leadership in the conquest. Finally, David makes the city the center of his power. The chronicler summarizes the major lesson of this paragraph by noting that David’s rise occurred because of divine empowerment, not because of mere human military ability (v.9).

David’s men are listed next (11:10-47). Despite some textual confusion of the numbers in this passage, the Three and the Thirty formed the core of a royal guard. Since more than thirty men are listed, the term Thirty may be a technical term, or the register may include men from different periods of David’s reign. These warriors supply the human support for setting up David’s kingdom. V.10 describes the complementary roles of human and divine actors in fulfilling God’s promise to David.

The defectors who came to David prior to his coronation may be grouped by the place where they joined him (12:1-22). The events of Hebron frame this portion. Deserters from Benjamin (vv.1-7) and from Manasseh (vv.19-22) join David at Ziklag. Renegades from Gad (vv.8-15) and Benjamin (vv.16-18) join at the earlier stronghold.

The fugitive David was joined by some of Saul’s kin who had ambidextrous ability for long-range combat. Gadites, to complement the Benjamites, were experts in close combat. They were brave, quick, more mighty than numerous opponents and able to overcome natural and human challenges.

This invincibility motif recalls other texts that speak of divine power that comes to the obedient. Lev 26:8 states, “Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.” Dt 32:30, Moses' farewell address, focuses on the negative outcome for a disobedient people: “How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up?” Isa 30:17, a word to an obstinate nation, stresses judgment on the disobedient through an enemy empowered by the Lord: “A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” In each case, God enables a minute force to mete out judgment against a greater foe. The key to victory is obedience; disobedience brings ruin.

Amasai’s prophetic word emphasizes God’s choice of David (12:18). The Spirit comes upon this chieftain and leads him to pledge allegiance to David’s cause. David, who was perhaps reticent to receive the support of these defectors, makes these men commanders of his raiders.

All Israel crowns David at Hebron (12:23-40). Members of all the tribes come to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him (12:23). (The precise size of this supporting cast depends upon the interpretation of the Hebrew word 'eleph. The term may designate one thousand; or, in a rather loose sense, a large group or unit; or the number of “chiefs” over various-sized contingents.) To make his point, the chronicler passes over the time David ruled only a portion of the nation while Ishbosheth controlled the North.