1 & 2 Samuel – Page 11

2 Samuel 3:31-39 – Who is the Hero?

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Abner is getting a lot of attention from King David. But is he the hero of this story? It certainly can’t be Joab, the one who killed Abner. In fact, Joab is having to mourn the loss of a man he caused to die. How odd that must be! David is setting a good example as king.

David needed a strong public response to the killing of this Israelite warrior. He did this to establish his innocence and pay tribute. David couldn’t afford to lose credibility with other leaders of the north. He summons the whole “government” to mourn, including Joab. What humiliation!

2 Samuel 3:22-30 – When You Don’t Know the Whole Story

Read 2 Samuel 3:22-30

two young boys reading a story book together

Joab had no way of knowing what David and Abner had just agreed to. Even if he had, would that have kept him from seeking to avenge his own brother’s death? Joab was blinded by his own anger, hurt, and grief.

Joab was sure Abner’s intentions were not good. He exclaimed to David, “You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you’re doing!” We will never know if Joab’s belief had any merit. Abner is dead.

2 Samuel 3:2-21 – A Struggle For Power

Read 2 Samuel 3:2-21

David’s succession as the next king was not smooth or uneventful. In today’s reading, the saga continues. Abner’s change of heart seems to be the most remarkable. All this time, Abner had been fighting to preserve Saul’s dignity and memory. Now Abner was called out by Saul’s son for taking his father’s concubine. Concubines would have been objects of power, and apparently Ishbosheth had not pursued that power but was upset that Abner had.

Ishbosheth’s handling of the matter set off Abner. Where was the gratitude and respect for all Abner had done? It was like a light bulb went on for Abner realizing that David was indeed the true king. Abner said, “May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t do everything I can to help David get what the Lord has promised him!” And with that Abner set out to make amends with David and vowed to bring all of Israel back into alignment with David.

2 Samuel 2:12-3:1 – Whose Side Are You On?

Read 2 Samuel 2:12-3:1

An angel floating in the clouds in half of the picture, and a devil in dark with fire in the other half

Israelites killing Israelites. It comes down to a matter of alliance. Are you a follower and supporter of the late king Saul, or does your allegiance rest in David’s camp? We are witnessing the clash between these two sides in our reading today.

Sadly, Asahel and others had to lose their lives in a battle that should never have been. It’s imperative that David rise up and show his strength, but not at the expense of his Israelite brothers. I was glad that Abner had the sense to say what he did. “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”

2 Samuel 2:1-11 – The Successions

Read 2 Samuel 2:1-11

One hand holding the globe as if to pass it over to the other hand

David realizes that since Saul is now dead, there is no further threat to his life. Rather than just assume, he asks for God’s direction. With God’s instruction, David moves his family, along with his men and their families, to Hebron, just as God had instructed. David now becomes king over Judah.

We also see that Saul’s army commander, Abner, takes it upon himself to appoint Saul’s son, Ishbosheth over the rest of Israel. What I don’t see here is the hand of God. I see a power hungry, Abner, doing what he feels is his duty.