So Dauid went vp thither, and his two wiues also, Ahinoam the Iezreelitesse, and Abigail Nabals wife the Carmelite. 2 Samuel 2:2 (KJV)
This verse is part of the narrative about David’s ascent to kingship in Israel and marks a significant moment that sets the stage for the events that follow. To understand its context, it helps to recall the broader story presented in the preceding chapters. In 1 Samuel we read of Saul’s reign as the first king of Israel, David’s rise as a young shepherd anointed by the prophet Samuel, and his victory over Goliath. Saul’s jealousy grew after that victory, leading him to pursue David relentlessly, yet David refused to harm the king because he respected the anointing God had placed on Saul.
Tragically, Saul and his sons perished in battle against the Philistines, bringing an end to Saul’s reign. In the aftermath David mourned the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s close friend, and the narrative moves into the opening of 2 Samuel. In 2 Samuel 2:1 David seeks the Lord’s guidance after Saul’s death, asking whether he should go up to one of the cities of Judah. The Lord answers affirmatively and directs David to Hebron.
Verse 2 records David’s decision to go up to Hebron along with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. Ahinoam was the wife David had acquired before his kingship, while Abigail had previously been married to Nabal, a wealthy but foolish man who had provoked David’s anger and later died.
The accompaniment of his wives suggests their importance and support in David’s life and may also indicate a sign of stability and establishment as he begins to assume leadership in Hebron. The mention of David’s wives serves primarily as a historical record, reflecting the Bible’s practice of including genealogical and contextual details rather than conveying a specific moral or spiritual lesson.
Overall, 2 Samuel 2:2 presents a transitional moment in David’s life, signaling the beginning of his ascent to kingship after the death of Saul.
