Ish-bosheth,Saul'sson,was fortyyearsoldwhen he becamekingoverIsrael,and he was kingfor twoyears.The houseof Judah,however,followedDavid.
The timethat Davidwas kingin Hebronoverthe houseof Judahwas sevenyearsand sixmonths.
But Abnerthe sonof Ner,commanderof Saul'sarmy,had takenIsh-bosheththe sonof Sauland broughthim overto Mahanaim.
He madehim kingoverGilead,overthe Ashurites,overJezreel,overEphraim,and overBenjamin,even overallIsrael.
So Davidsentmessengersto Ish-bosheth,Saul'sson,saying,"Giveme my wifeMichal,to whomI was betrothedfor a hundredforeskinsof the Philistines."
