2 Samuel

2 Samuel 3:1-5

The war went on for about 2 years as the house of Saul grew weaker and David grew stronger; but Abner was more entrenched in power.  While the war was going on, David had 6 sons born to him. 

2 Samuel 3:6-11 

Ish-bosheth accused Abner of taking Saul's concubine.  This was symbolic of Abner taking the place of Saul and this threatened Ish-bosheth's power.  He called Abner out on this disloyalty.  Abner, in a show of his true colors, vowed to put the whole country in David's hands, where it belonged.  He seemed to know that it belonged to David.  Abner acted in his own selfishness as a military commander who wanted to be on the winning side. He essentially told Ish-bosheth that he was only in power because Abner put him there and kept him there.  Ish-bosheth backed down in fea.

2 Samuel 3:12-21

Abner contacts David to trade Israel's loyalty for a personal treaty.  Again, we can see Abner is very self serving.  David agrees for the purpose of a united Israel.  This was the right thing.  How could God's children war against God's children, it made no sense. 

Michal was betrothed to David (see 1 Samuel 18:20,28) and Saul gave her to another man (see 1 Samuel 25:44).  Getting Michal back served two purposes.  1. It righted the wrong that Saul had done to him.   2. It would strengthen David's claim to the throne of all Israel.  David had already paid the 100 Philistine foreskins as a dowry to Saul.  He in fact paid double (see 1 Samuel 18:25-27). 

When Abner comes before the King, David has a feast for him.  Abner says to David he will deliver the entire kingdom to him.  David sent him away in peace. 

2 Samuel 3:22-30

Joab shows up and hears this and is sure that Abner is just acting as a spy.  Joab was quick to accuse Abner of deception but he himself deceived David when he sent for Abner to come back to Hebron.  Joab killed Abner because Abner had killed his brother Asahel (2:23).  David publicly mourns Abner.  It is unclear if this is genuine or political, maybe it is both.  David wanted it known that he had nothing to do with the death.  He mourns and fasts and ask that the Lord deal with the sons of Zeruiah (Joab and Abishai). 

© 2016 Doug Ford