Abner, however, was slain by Joab while in the act of carrying out his treason, but Esh-baal was murdered shortly afterwards by two of his servants.

David declared himself his successor, and claimed rule over all Israel.
This brought him into conflict with his Philistine overlords.

It was equivalent to revolt, and the Philistine army swept the lowlands of Judah.

David fled from Hebron and took refuge in his old retreat.

Here he organised his forces; the Philistines were defeated in battle after battle, and David not only succeeded in driving them out of Judah and Israel, but in carrying the war into their own country.