178. HE ANSWERS, I heard the secret meaning of this matter IS similar to the words, "David inquired of Hashem saying, 'Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?' And Hashem said to him, 'Go up.' And David said, 'Where shall I go up?' And He said, 'To Hebron'" (II Shmuel 2:1). Here we have to reflect. Since Saul was already dead and David was anointed to receive the kingship even during the days of Saul, IF SO, why was David not made king if Saul had died? And why did not he receive the reign over all the children of Yisrael, BUT came to Hebron and received the reign over Judah alone for seven years, and he tarried there all those seven years. Only after the death of Ish Boshet did he receive the reign over Yisrael in Jerusalem.