Bible Strands
2 Samuel 2:11
And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator inserts a chronological note following the report that the house of Judah followed David while Saul’s son ruled Israel. The text states David reigned in Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months before the narrative shifts to Abner’s military movements.
The words — מִסְפַּ֣ר (mispar) means "number" or "length," and הַ/יָּמִ֔ים (hayyamim) means "the days." These terms combine to specify the exact duration of David’s initial kingship.
The thread — This duration aligns with the chronological summary in 1 Kings 2:11, the reign total in 2 Samuel 5:4, and the parallel record in 1 Chronicles 3:4.
Why it lands — The verse establishes a measured timeline for David’s early rule, requiring the reader to track the political division of Israel and recognize the gradual fulfillment of his kingship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 2:11 The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
- 2 Samuel 5:4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.
- 1 Chronicles 3:4 These six sons were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. And David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years,
- 1 Chronicles 29:27 The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.