Israel's Civil War: Battle at Gibeon Pool

Battle at Gibeon Pool

Israel’s tribes started a civil war at the Battle of Gibeon pool. It was David, king of Judah’s tribe, against all the other tribes, led by King Ishbosheth, son of Saul. Israel’s first king, Saul died in a battle against an overwhelming force of Philistines. Most of his sons died too, including David’s best friend, Jonathan. Many Israelite leaders left their lands west of the Jordan River, where Israelis and Palestinians live today. Israelites fled east of the river and ruled out of the city of Mahanaim, near the river. Their general crowned one of Saul’s surviving sons  as king: Ishbosheth.

He was no Saul

As the Bible writers tell it, the new king was a weak ruler who seemed to let his general, Abner, get away with sleeping with one of the king's wives from the royal harem. When he called Abner on it, Abner threatened to take the army and go side with David.

David, King of Judah’s tribe

“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…’ People of Judah’s tribe came to Hebron and anointed David king of their entire tribe. Someone told David that people from Jabesh in Gilead had managed to recover Saul’s body and bury him. David sent ambassadors to the people of Jabesh in Gilead with this message: ‘May the LORD bless you with his kindness. May he do this for the devotion you showed to Saul, your king, when you buried him. I hope the LORD rewards you with the same love and devotion you showed your king. I certainly will. I’ll do this for what you’ve done. Stay brave and strong. Though your leader, Saul, is dead, the people of Judah have anointed me as their king.

Kingish

Israel’s commander, Abner the son of Ner, escorted Saul’s surviving son, Ishbosheth, across the Jordan River to a place called Mahanaim. Abner appointed Ishbosheth king over Israel. That included the people of Gilead east of the Jordan River, and those in the Jezreel Valley, and of the tribes of Ashur in Galilee, along with Ephraim and Benjamin in the central hills. Saul’s son, Ishbosheth was 40 years old when Abner made him king. He lasted two years. Judah’s tribe, however, followed King David."

2 Samuel, Casual English Bible

To read about this from other Bible translations, see Bible Gateway.