DAVID MAKES HIMSELF STRONG IN HEBRON WHILE ABNER MAKES HIMSELF STRONG IN A WEAKENED HOUSE OF SAUL (2 SAMUEL 3:1). There would appear to have been constant antagonism between Judah and Israel from the moment when David was made King of Judah, and the result was that while David and his house continue... [ Continue Reading ]
ABNER QUARRELS WITH ISH-BOSHETH OVER ONE OF SAUL'S CONCUBINES AND DECIDES AS A CONSEQUENCE TO ADVANCE DAVID'S CLAIMS TO THE THRONE OF ISRAEL (2 SAMUEL 3:7). While David's strengthening position is seen by the writer in terms of his wives and sons, Abner and Ish-bosheth are seen as falling out over A... [ Continue Reading ]
TREACHERY, TREACHERY! (2 SAMUEL 3:17). In this passage we have an account of double treachery. First we have portrayed the treachery of Abner who, having installed Ish-bosheth as king, callously betrayed him and sought to make Israel turn to David, and then the treachery of Joab who equally callousl... [ Continue Reading ]
JOAB TREACHEROUSLY GAINS BLOOD REVENGE FOR THE DEATH OF HIS BROTHER ASAHEL AND AT THE SAME TIME RIDS HIMSELF OF A DANGEROUS RIVAL (2 SAMUEL 3:27). We have to remember here that the desire and responsibility of relatives for blood revenge when a member of the family was killed was widespread througho... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID LAMENTS THE DEATH OF ABNER AND DEMONSTRATES HIS INNOCENCE IN THE MATTER (2 SAMUEL 3:31). In this final passage in the chapter David makes clear his grief over the death of Abner, thus establishing his innocence, and emphasises what a great man he had been. He also writes a lament so as the be... [ Continue Reading ]