An Amalekite man tells David he killed a despairing Saul in battle. David kills the Amelkite, and sings of song of mourning for Saul and Jonathan (Tell it not in Gath; how the mighty are fallen).
David is anointed king of Judah and dwells in Hebron. David thanks the men of Jabesh Gildead. Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, makes Ishbosheth, son of Saul, king of Israel. Only Judah follows David. Abner’s troops fight with David’s troops under Joab (David’s nephew), and are defeated. Abner kills Asahel, another of David’s nephews. A ceasefire is called. The war between the house of Saul and the house of David continues, but the latter grows stronger, and the former weaker.
David has six sons by his various wives. Ishbosheth accuses Abner of taking Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines. Insulted, Abner transfers to David’s side, agreeing to take Michal from Paltiel (to whom Saul had given her in spite) and return her to David. Abner rallies support for David and there is a feast, but Joab (whose brother Abner killed) is displeased, and muders Abner by stabbing him in the stomach. David curses the house of Joab, and leads the mourning.
Two captains of Ishbosheth, Baanah and Rechab, murder Ishbosheth. They present David Ishbosheth’s head, but David is displeased, cutting off Baanah’s and Rechab’s hands and feet, and then hanging them. Jonathan’s son, Mephiboseth (the last of the house of Saul with a claim to the throne) was dropped by his nurse and became lame when he fled after Saul’s death.
The elders of Israel all recognise David as king. After six years and six months, he moves from Hebron to Jerusalem, which he takes despite resistance from the Jebusites. David builds a great palace. David has many wives and concubines. The Philistines challenge the new king, and are defeated at Baal Perazim and at the Valley of Rephaim.