Two capitals of Israel
Hebron and Gibeon
David gets on the bad side of Saul
King Saul, Israel's first king, made his capital in his hometown, Gibeon. David, once Saul's son-in-law, got on the wrong side of Saul when he became more popular, after killing Goliath, the Philistine champion.
Saul ordered him executed if caught, so David became a fugitive who grew a militia of people unhappy with life under King Saul.
Saul seemed to spend so much time and military energy in time to hunt David down that he overlooked the real threat, the Philistines who live along the Mediterranean seacoast. They invaded Israel's northland Jezreel Valley with an overwhelming force, killing Saul and most of his sons. Saul's army and many citizens of Israel left for safety and relatives, across the Jordan River.
David quit running and moved his militia to Hebron, less than a day's walk south of his Bethlehem hometown (about 15 miles, almost 25 km).
David settles in Hebron
Later, David asked the LORD what he should do next. “Should I go back to my tribal homeland of Judah and find a city to live in?” The LORD said, “Yes, go up there.” David said, “Okay, but what town?” God said, “Hebron.”
David went to Hebron. He took both of his wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel. Abigail was the widow of Nabal. David took his entire entourage—all the people who followed him along with their families. They settled in Hebron.
1 Chronicles, Casual English Bible
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