War and settlement and Abner dies

2 Samuel Chapter 3

There is the beginning of a very long war between those loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. David's supporters grow stronger. He has six sons while in Hebron. Born to six different wives (see verses 2-6 for their names and mother's names).

As the war progressed, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul. One day Ishbosheth, Saul's son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father's concubines, a woman named Rizpah. Abner was furious at Ishbosheth and figured the woman was his reward for not betraying him to David. He threatened to give the rest of Saul's kingdom to David. Ishbosheth was afraid of Abner and so kept quiet.

Abner sent messengers to David asking that they make an agreement and perhaps he could turn the entire nation of Israel over to him. David agreed to meet, but not until his wife Michal, Saul's daughter was returned to him. He claimed he bought her with the lives of one hundred Philistines. So Ishbosheth took Michal from her husband Palti, son of Laish. Palti followed behind her weeping as far as Bahurim, then Abner sent him home.

Abner consulted with the leaders of Israel and told them now was the time to make David their king. Abner spoke with the leaders of the tribes of Benjamin and then went to Hebron to let David know that all the leaders of Israel were ready to make a covenant with him and make him their king. Then David sent Abner on his way. But Joab and some of David's troops returned from a raid bringing plunder with them. When Joab was told Abner had been sent away in safety, he rushed to see the king. He demanded that David should not let Abner get away and he insisted Abner came to spy on them.

Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner. They found him at the pool of Sirah and brought him back with them. But David knew nothing of this. When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside as if to speak with him in private, and killed Abner with his dagger in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.

David heard of Abner's death and claimed his own innocence. He pointed out Joab and his family as the guilty people and cursed his family in every generation. Then he told Joab and his men to dress in sackcloth and mourn for Abner and King David himself walked in the procession to the grave. The King sang a song for Abner (verses 33-34). David mourned and refused to eat anything the day of the funeral. The people knew David was not responsible for Abner's death. And he told the people that a great man had fallen and that Joab and Abishai were too strong for him to control, so he asked that God repay the wicked men for their wicked deeds.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The war went on because both Judah and Israel lost sight of God's vision and purpose: to settle the land (Genesis 12:7), to drive out the Canaanites and obey God's law. Instead they fought each other.

David suffered much heartache because of his many wives. Polygamy was accepted in their society, but God warned against it (Deuteronomy 17:14-17; his sons cause him great trouble in the future.
For Abner to sleep with one of the king's wives or concubines was to make a claim to the throne and was treason. Ishbosheth was weak, Abner was running the country, but Ishbosheth could see Abner was becoming too powerful. Abner, however, refuted that he was trying to take the throne and he must have realized he could not prevent David from taking the country. In his anger at Ishbosheth, Abner decided to turn the kingdom over to David.
Michal, David's first wife who was taken from him by Saul, was given in marriage by Saul, to Palti. Perhaps David still loved her, but more likely, he thought marriage to Saul's daughter would strengthen his rule and show there was no animosity to Saul's house. Slowly the tribes were beginning to come together.
Joab sought revenge for his brother. But Abner had killed him in self-defense.Joab showed great disrespect for God by killing Abner in revenge.
Why didn't David kill Joab? Perhaps he was thinking more of strengthening his kingdom and even though Joab was hard to control, he possessed an intense loyalty to David. Also David knew to punish Joab would cause the troops to rebel and he didn't wish to lose a competent commander who had strengthened the army.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This is an intricate chapter full of twists and turns, loyalties and odd requests, killings and murders. I choose to examine the consequences of taking revenge. Haven't we all thought in our minds of revenge on somebody for something, some slight perhaps? But revenge can ruin our own chance for peace of mind and increase the odds of retaliation. Besides the obvious- it is not right in God's eyes. God will repay those who deserve it. Let God do his work.
I also can tell you that this chapter shows two sides that instead of uniting to accomplish their goals, fought each other. I hope when you face conflict, take a step back and examine whether or not you and your adversary have common goals that might work into a mutual settlement.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home from the hospital and having rehab for the paralysis on one side of her body. Continue to pray for her recovery. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.