There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
The first four chapters of 2 Samuel are all about the transition from King Saul who reigned over all Israel to King David, who would reign after Saul’s death. The transition was not an orderly transfer of power. It was a bloody ordeal and one that had little blessings. People jockeyed for power and favor. Vengeance was more meaningful in those days than honor. David, however, is portrayed in this section as an honorable and benevolent king to both those who were loyal and those who were also his enemies. God honored David in this transfer of power. For seven and one-half years he was king of Hebron. Not only did God use that time to strengthen David and weaken Saul’s remaining loyalist, God provided a stable kingdom and sons. Sons in this era were the social sign of God’s blessing on the leader. What the writer of 2 Samuel is telling us is that David grew stronger and one way that was evident was the brith of these six sons. God saw David’s heart and rewarded him for his honorable treatment of his enemies.
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