A Coronation, Exacerbation, and Assassination all in one nation

2 Samuel 2, 3, 4

Coronation

- In Chapter two we have the tale of two kings, David who was made King over the house of Judah and Ish-bosheth a son of Saul who Abner the commander of Saul’s army made king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel. David was GOD’s anointed choice to rule over his people Israel and Ish-Bosheth was man’s choice. This in and of itself is a shadow of what will come, the rightful king seems to be for a time ruling over a smaller area and fewer people, but this will change and David will eventually be ruler over all Israel. 

- Even through David’s planning of which cities to go to and which one exactly to settle in Hebron, David sought the LORD’s direction at every turn.

Exacerbation

- Contrast that with Saul, Abner, or even Ish-bosheth who didn’t bother to consult GOD at all.

-  Abner and Joab’s face off, the two opposing military leaders trying to prove each had the better men. Their men fought while they watched. Theses two men would consider today's sport of MMA a sissy sport. The loser in their battles ended up with a sword in his side and more than likely he loss of life.

- We read things like this happening in other places in the scriptures and we conclude that GOD is also complicit in this needless killing, but If you look in places like Isaiah 2:4,  He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

 - Also the closer you examine the lives of these two men Abner and Joab you realize their regard for life, other than their own, is pretty low on the scale of importance.

The scriptures say - The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David’s men. 2 Samuel 2:17. Joab’s brother Asahel followed hard after Abner and Abner tried to persuade him to stop his purist and live to fight another day, but Asahel refused to listen and died for his troubles. Joab and his men stopped pursing Abner and his men, but Joab was not done with Abner.

Assassination

- The opening of chapter three highlights the on going war between the two houses, David’s and Saul’s. It also mentions geology, the descendants of David, which will become very interesting as we travel on in His-story.

- In verse seven it mentions that Abner slept with Saul’s concubine Rizpah daughter of Aiah. As was also previously mentioned in other blog posts this is a power move and Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth recognized it for what it was and called Abner to task for it.

- This angered Abner and gave him the excuse he was looking for to jump ship so to speak and switch alliances to David’s house.

-Abner sets up a meeting with King David and agrees to support his kingship with all the backing from those that follow him. David accepts Abner's offer, but there is a catch, he wants his first wife returned to him, Saul’s daughter Michal.

- Abner confers with the rest of the elder of Israel hold outs, and tells them that they should support King David as King over not just Judah, but all of Israel.

- After Abner was done convincing everyone he goes to David to tell him the good news and secure a place of prominence for himself  in the house of David.

- Joab was unaware of theses events as he and his men were off raiding, when he found out he was angry and went to David and said Abner was just deceiving him and scouting out David’s defences. 

- Joab set a trap for Abner, called him back on a pretence from the King and killed him because he had killed his brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.

- David mourned the death of Abner, he even wrote a song and sang a lament for him, he also wept and fasted.

- All the people were pleased with David and knew he had no part of Abner’s murder.

David was then anointed King over all Israel, but he acknowledged that the sons of Zeruiah had made him weak. (Joab and his brothers)

- This reminds me of another King who has some rebels in his own house, and prior to Jesus’ death on the cross those rebels did things their way and did not listen to their King. (Psalm 82) David said they were too strong for him and made him weak, but GOD’s plan took into account these rebels, he became weak for us through the incarnation and obedience to the death on a cross. GOD’s weakness is stronger than anything in all of creation.

Final Thought

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25

Next – The lame and blind win a city or Don’t touch that!