DAVID ANOINTED KING OVER JUDAH WAR BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF DAVID AND SAUL 2 SAMUEL 2:1-32

Transcription

1 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell DAVID ANOINTED KING OVER JUDAH WAR BETWEEN THE HOUSES OF DAVID AND SAUL 2 SAMUEL 2:1-32

2 2 Text: 2 Samuel 2:1-32, David Anointed King Over Judah War Between the Houses of David and Saul Commentary by Ron Thomas 1. In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered. 2. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3. David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5. he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7. Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."

3 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. 10. Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. 11. The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. 12. Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. 13. Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side. 14. Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. 15. So they stood up and were counted off twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16. Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. 17. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. 18. The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. 19. He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. 20. Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered. 21. Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

4 Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?" 23. But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. 24. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. 25. Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. 26. Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" 27. Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning. " 28. So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore. 29. All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim. 30. Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing. 31. But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. 32. They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak. (NIV) Commentary: I. David anointed king over Judah. (2 Samuel 2:1-7)

5 5 A. 2 Samuel 2:1-7, So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." (NIV) B. David appealed to the Lord. (2 Samuel 2:1-2) 1. 2 Samuel 2:1-2, In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered. So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. (NIV) 2. After David heard the news, and after he lamented the death of Israel s two warriors, he inquired of the Lord about his next move. a. He was to go to Hebron, within Judah. b. Why there? c. At the very least, Hebron was associated with David s pending anointment as king.

6 6 d. Perhaps, though, there were other reasons. 3. David s manner of inquiry is not stated, but it is assumed that Abiathar assisted David as he had earlier. (1 Samuel 23:6-12; 30:7-8). a. 1 Samuel 23:6-12, (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.) Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has handed him over to me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars." And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod." David said, "O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant." And the LORD said, "He will." Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will." (NIV) b. 1 Samuel 30:7-8, Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." (NIV)

7 Giving thought to the precariousness of the situation, David knew that the Philistine s major victory over Saul was simply going to encourage the Philistine s continuation of bloodshed as they overran the areas in the vicinity (Smith, p. 35). 5. David, however, was in no military position to do anything about it. a. He had, roughly, six hundred (600) men. b. From 1 Chronicles 12, we learn that many more men came to him, but in the meantime, Israel was without a leader. i. 1 Chronicles 12:1-40, These were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the warriors who helped him in battle; they were armed with bows and were able to shoot arrows or to sling stones righthanded or left-handed; they were kinsmen of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin): Ahiezer their chief and Joash the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah, Jehu the Anathothite, and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the Thirty, who was a leader of the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah and Shephatiah the Haruphite; Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer and Jashobeam the Korahites; and Joelah and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham from Gedor. Some Gadites defected to David at his

8 8 stronghold in the desert. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains. Ezer was the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth and Macbannai the eleventh. These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand. It was they who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight everyone living in the valleys, to the east and to the west. Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. David went out to meet them and said to them, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you." Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said:"we are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. Some of the men of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, "It will

9 9 cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.") When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh. They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army. Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul's kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said: men of Judah, carrying shield and spear-6,800 armed for battle; men of Simeon, warriors ready for battle-7,100; men of Levi-4,600, including Jehoiada, leader of the family of Aaron, with 3,700 men, and Zadok, a brave young warrior, with 22 officers from his family; men of Benjamin, Saul's kinsmen- 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to Saul's house until then; men of Ephraim, brave warriors, famous in their own clans-20,800; men of half the tribe of Manasseh, designated by name to come and make David king-18,000; men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; men of Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty-50,000; men of Naphtali-1,000 officers, together with 37,000 men carrying shields and spears; men of Dan, ready for battle-28,600; men of Asher, experienced soldiers prepared for battle-

10 ,000; and from east of the Jordan, men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, armed with every type of weapon-120,000. All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king. The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, for their families had supplied provisions for them. Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel. (NIV) c. David knew that God had appointed him to be the next king so being a faithful and respectful servant of the Lord, he appealed to the Lord. C. The Lord told David to go to Hebron. (2 Samuel 2-3) 1. 2 Samuel 2:2-3, So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. (NIV) 2. It was to the people of Hebron that David sent spoils. (1 Samuel 30:31) a. 1 Samuel 30:31, and Hebron; and to those in all the other places where David and his men had roamed. (NIV)

11 11 b. Thus, there was a friendly relationship. c. Also, Hebron was an important city because it was evidently, a strong fortified city (Winter, p. 377). d. It was a city that had other cities grouped around it. 3. David s two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail went with him. a. Not much is said about Ahinoam, but she is mentioned first when paired with Abigail. i. Ahinoam was the first to bear children to David; her first son was named Amnon. (2 Samuel 3:2) ii. 2 Samuel 3:2, Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; (NIV) iii. Abigail s firstborn was Chileab. (2 Samuel 3:3) iv. 2 Samuel 3:3, his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; (NIV) D. David was anointed king in Hebron. (2 Samuel 2:4) 1. 2 Samuel 2:4, Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, (NIV)

12 Hebron was probably all too ready to accept David and his men because they were a force to be reckoned with. a. Since Israel had lost a major battle with the Philistines, the people of the land were living in fear. 3. David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel. (1 Samuel 16) a. 1 Samuel 16:1-13, The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But

13 13 Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. (NIV) b. Since Saul was king, however, David took it upon himself to not act on this anointment until the time was right. 4. Now, in Hebron, David was anointed the second time. a. The first time was a private occasion; here it was much more public. E. David commended the men of Jabesh-Gilead. (2 Samuel 2:5-7) 1. 2 Samuel 2:5-7, he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, "The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. Now then, be strong and

14 14 brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." (NIV) 2. David had a politically tenuous situation on his hands, but it would be foolish to think that David s actions in regard to the men of Jabesh Gilead was strictly political. a. David was loyal to the Lord, to Israel, and to his king. b. One cannot read 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel 1 without noting this fact! i. 2 Samuel 1:1-27, After the death of Saul, David returned from defeating the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor. "Where have you come from?" David asked him. He answered, "I have escaped from the Israelite camp." "What happened?" David asked. "Tell me." He said, "The men fled from the battle. Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are dead." Then David said to the young man who brought him the report, "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?" "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa," the young man said, "and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and riders almost upon him. When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I said, 'What can I do?' "He asked me, 'Who are you?' " 'An Amalekite,' I answered.

15 15 "Then he said to me, 'Stand over me and kill me! I am in the throes of death, but I'm still alive.' "So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm and have brought them here to my lord." Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. David said to the young man who brought him the report, "Where are you from?" "I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite," he answered. David asked him, "Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" Then David called one of his men and said, "Go, strike him down!" So he struck him down, and he died. For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.' " David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! "Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice. "O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings of grain. For

16 16 there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul no longer rubbed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied. "Saul and Jonathan in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. "O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold. "How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. "How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!" (NIV) 3. The men of Jabesh Gilead were patriots and people loyal to Saul because of his leadership. (1 Samuel 11) a. 1 Samuel 11:1-15, Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, "Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you." But Nahash the Ammonite replied, "I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel." The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you." When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his

17 17 oxen, and he asked, "What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?" Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said. When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel." Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they turned out as one man. When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and the men of Judah thirty thousand. They told the messengers who had come, "Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, 'By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.' " When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. They said to the Ammonites, "Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever seems good to you." The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. The people then said to Samuel, "Who was it that asked, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring these men to us and we will put them to death." But Saul said, "No one shall be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel." Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there reaffirm the kingship." So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed

18 18 fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. (NIV) b. David knew this, and he knew that the northern portion of the country would be confused about political leadership though they might have heard that God had anointed him king. c. David, trying to make a smooth transition from a bad situation, does what he does; let us not call into question his motives. 4. David was also fully aware of the fact that if he could win the alliance of those faithful followers of Saul, he would have gone a long way in breaking down any animosity that would build up between himself and the followers of Saul (David and Whitcomb, pp ). II. Political disarray in Israel. (2 Samuel 2:9-32) A. 2 Samuel 2:9-32, He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. Ish- Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish- Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side. Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. So they stood up and were counted off twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. Then each

19 19 man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleetfooted as a wild gazelle. He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered. Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?" But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning. " So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore. All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim. Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing. But David's men had killed three

20 20 hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak. (NIV) B. Abner makes Ish-Bosheth, Saul s son, king over Israel. (2 Samuel 2:8-11) 1. 2 Samuel 2:8-11, Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel. Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. (NIV) 2. There is an interesting discussion surrounding the name Ish-Bosheth. a. The name means man of shame. b. In 1 Chronicles 8:33 and 9:39, Ish-Bosheth is named Eshbaal, meaning man of Baal. i. 1 Chronicles 8:33, Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh- Baal. (NIV)

21 21 ii. 1 Chronicles 9:39, Ner was the father of Kish, Kish the father of Saul, and Saul the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal. (NIV) c. This raises the question as to whether or not Saul was a worshipper of Baal. i. Here is an interesting remark by Andersen, it does not necessarily follow that Saul must have been a worshiper of Baal. It is more plausible that Baul may have been used as a title of the God of Israel, meaning Lord. (He references TWOT, volume 2, pages ). ii. Willis also attests to the same (p. 293). iii. However, in 1 Samuel 19:11-13 we learn that Saul s daughter Micah either worshipped idols or had easy access to idols within the household of her father. iv. 1 Samuel 19:11-13, Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats' hair at the head. (NIV) v. Therefore, the possibility exists that Ish- Bosheth was named after the idol, Baal.

22 22 vi. Moses declared God s verdict on Baal idol worshipers in Numbers 25:5. So it is difficult to imagine that a devoted Israelite would reference Yahweh (the LORD) by a name referring to a heathen idol. vii. Numbers 25:5, So Moses said to Israel's judges, "Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor." (NIV) 3. Mahanaim was in the territory of Gad (east of the Jordan). a. Commentators think that in 2 Samuel 2:9 there is a period of five and one-half years (5 ½) years that are condensed to a few words. i. In other words, Abner took that time to corral the areas where loyalty to Saul was still present. ii. At this time, with Saul s death, there was disarray in Israel, and Abner knew that David was now king over Judah. iii. He had to act fast and with purpose. 4. Ish-Bosheth reigned two (2) years over Israel, while David reigned seven and one-half (7 ½) years over Judah. a. The difference between the two is over five (5) years; did Israel have no head for that period of time? b. Anderson takes on the problem of Ish-Bosheth s age and says, after much analysis, we assume that it is

23 23 more likely that Ish-Bosheth was a minor and that the forty (40) years is either a scribal error or simply a round figure in the absence of the exact figure. (p. 35). c. An alternative interpretation is offered by Younblood who said that Ish-Bosheth actually had the throne several years after Saul s death. David became king over all Israel shortly after Ish-Bosheth s death (p. 824). It must be noted that both Andersen and Smith do not subscribe to the notion of several years after. d. Smith simply thinks the chronology is much too difficult to understand with the information available (p. 37). e. Youngblood may be correct. The brevity of the Scripture record does not allow us to see all the peripheral matters related to what is actually recorded. So, what appears to be fast action by Abner may not have been rapid at all. C. The pool of Gibeon. (2 Samuel 2:12-17) Samuel 2:12-17, Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side. Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. So they stood up and were counted off twelve men for Benjamin and Ish- Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his

24 24 dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. (NIV) 2. The pool of Gibeon was discovered by archaeologist James Pritchard in It is a cylindrical shaft some 35 feet deep, but with an additional 45 foot depth once the initial depth of 35 feet is attained. (Youngblood, p. 825). 3. The nature of the battle is a representative battle. a. When David marched out to meet Goliath, it was a representative battle. Of course, at the defeat of Goliath, the Philistines ran they were not willing to give themselves up to Israel. Here we have another sort of thing, but with more men. (Arnold, p. 435) b. Smith, on the other hand, thinks that what is occurring here is simply a game in which the participating armies, somewhat reluctant to do battle, had a smaller skirmish to put an end to the mutual unwillingness to begin the onslaught. (p. 38) 4. It is difficult to understand the motive for such an action, however, the plain barbarity of it all is clear. Twenty-four (24) men died and they died in quick fashion. 5. It is interesting to note that in 2 Samuel 2:17 it is said that Abner and his force were defeated. However, no defeat is mentioned in verses 12-16; thus, it must be that verse 17 is a summary of what is about to be recorded.

25 25 a. 2 Samuel 2:12-17, Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. Joab son of Zeruiah and David's men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side. Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. So they stood up and were counted off twelve men for Benjamin and Ish- Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent's side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. (NIV) D. The death of Asahel. (2 Samuel 2:18-23) 1. 2 Samuel 2:18-23, The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleetfooted as a wild gazelle. He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. Abner looked behind him and asked, "Is that you, Asahel?" "It is," he answered. Then Abner said to him, "Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel would not stop chasing him. Again Abner warned Asahel, "Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?" But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every

26 26 man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died. (NIV) 2. Asahel was David s nephew; he was the son of Zeruiah, David s sister. (1 Chronicles 2:16). a. 1 Chronicles 2:16, Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah's three sons were Abishai, Joab and Asahel. (NIV) 3. Joab was a prominent military man for David, but he was not at this time commander of David s forces although the natural reading of Joab in the current context (and in the next chapter) surely would suggest that he was (Josephus calls him David s general; cf. Antiquities, 7.5, p. 182). Presumably, that title belonged to David only. Joab did become commander when Jerusalem was captured (1 Chronicles 11:6; and 2 Samuel 5:6). a. 1 Chronicles 11:6, David had said, "Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander-in-chief." Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command. (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 5:6-10, The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here." Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. On that day, David said, "Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those 'lame and blind' who are David's enemies. " That is why they say, "The 'blind and lame' will not enter the palace." David then

27 27 took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. (NIV) 4. Abner, a seasoned warrior, attempted to stop Asahel from meeting his death; he knew that in combat, the old warrior was superior to the young, energetic, but careless warrior. a. Andersen may have been correct when he said that Abner probably stopped when he spoke to Asahel because a warrior would not have his back turned to an opponent. b. Abner and his forces were in retreat, but when he knew he was going to have to deal with his opponent Asahel, he presumably squared around to face him. c. Abner warned Asahel, but he did not heed it. 5. Was not Abner fleeing from the scene? (2 Samuel 2:19) a. 2 Samuel 2:19, He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. (NIV) b. Yes, it appeared that he was. But he may have been retreating because he saw his forces being massacred. i. Clearly, the fight was against them. c. Abner, who was being pursued by Asahel, knew that he had to take a stand, which would be a no-win situation for him.

28 With the death of Asahel, perhaps as Smith said, the fight in the men (both sides) was gone. a. More recently, It is a turning point in the conflict between soldiers who know each other and feel a certain bonhomie for each other. As a result, both sides lose the heart and will for warfare and declare a truce. (Arnold, p. 436) 7. They stop and stare at the dead man, Asahel. a. Even if the fight might have gone out of the men as they saw their brothers lying dead on the ground, this did not apply to Joab and Abishai; they pursued Abner because their brother lay dead on account of him. E. The battle ends. (2 Samuel 2:24-28) 1. 2 Samuel 2:24-28, But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill. Abner called out to Joab, "Must the sword devour forever? Don't you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" Joab answered, "As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued the pursuit of their brothers until morning. " So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore. (NIV) 2. Arnold thinks two things occurred here.

29 29 a. First, there is the beginning of animosity between Joab and Abner. b. Second, the death of Asahel brings home the point of civil war and it sickens the men. 3. As evening was coming on, the men of Benjamin take their stand on the hill of Ammah. a. They are a beaten army (2 Samuel 2:17), but enough pride is left in them to make a stand. i. 2 Samuel 2:17, The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. (NIV) ii. They were not running in cowardice, but in retreat in order to regroup. 4. Before any further battle takes place, Abner called out to Joab for a truce. a. It is interesting to note that Keil and Delitzsch understand Joab s response to Abner to be an accusation. i. Joab replied, If thou hadst not spoken (i.e., challenged to single combat, 2 Samuel 2:14), the people would have gone away in the morning, every one from his brother, i.e., there would have been no such fratricidal conflict at all. (E- Sword) ii. 2 Samuel 2:14, Then Abner said to Joab, "Let's have some of the young men get up and

30 30 fight hand to hand in front of us." "All right, let them do it," Joab said. (NIV) b. The ESV, on the other hand, understands it as Joab s calling out to Abner for a truce. F. The summary of it all. (2 Samuel 2:29-32) 1. 2 Samuel 2:29-32, All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the whole Bithron and came to Mahanaim. Then Joab returned from pursuing Abner and assembled all his men. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David's men were found missing. But David's men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. They took Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak. (NIV) 2. A continuation of the summary remark in 2 Samuel 2:17. a. 2 Samuel 2:17, The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. (NIV) i. Of David s men, twenty (20) were lost (19 men plus Asahel). ii. It is difficult to know if this included the twelve (12) men lost in representative combat. 3. In any case, Abner s forces took a pounding.

31 31 Homiletics Thoughts Analysis of Chapter a. They lost three hundred sixty (360) men; Youngblood notes this is an eighteen (18) to one (1) ratio. b. This striking disproportion in the numbers may be accounted for the fact that in Joab s army there were none but brave and well-tried men, who had gathered around David a long time before; whereas in Abner s army there were only the remnants of the Israelites who had been beaten upon Gilboa. (Keil and Delitzsch, E- Sword) 4. Asahel was buried in Bethlehem. I. There was a right way and a wrong way to become king in Israel. A. Each way had its consequences. B. Abner chose Ish-Bosheth to be king in spite of the fact that he knew Saul had been rejected and David had been selected by God. C. Abner s delusional and political ambition resulted in many men s dying for a cause that could not possibly endure. 1. In this ambition, perhaps patience or respect for the Lord s work was not something that Abner was willing to exercise. 2. Why did Abner seek to provoke David s men to a fight, and then end up on the receiving end of a slaughter?

32 32 II. Is patience something we as individuals or we as a church fail to exemplify? A. David patiently waited and it took years for the Lord s promise to come about. 1. Political ambition is a powerful persuading force with which we must reckon. a. Bill Arnold tells of the first Crusade in which Pope Urban II shamelessly promised the remission of sins and eternal life to all who took up the sword against the Muslims in an effort to take back the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. b. Thousands died as a result.

33 33 Questions 2 Samuel 2:1-32 Questions by John C. Sewell 1. By what method did David inquire of the Lord in 2:1? 2. Why, in your opinion, did God tell David to go to Hebron? 3. Give all the information you can about Ahinoam and Abigail. How many children did David have when he went to Hebron?

34 Besides Ahinoam and Abigail, who went to Hebron with David? 5. What major event occurred at Hebron? (See 2:4). 6. What did the men of Jabesh Gilead do? What was David s attitude regarding what these men had done? 7. Geographically locate Hebron, Jabesh Gilead, Mahanaim, Gilead, Ashuri, Jezreel and Gibeon.

35 Describe the relationship between David and Abner. Who was Abner? 9. Who was Ish-Bosheth? Give all the information you can. 10. Who was made king over Israel? Was he the God chosen king of Israel? How long did he reign? How old was he when he began to reign? 11. What was the political situation in Israel at this time?

36 Who was Joab? 13. What happened at the pool of Gibeon? How can these activities/customs be explained? What was the outcome of this engagement? 14. Who was Asahel? What did he do? Were these actions wise? Describe Abner s attitude toward Asahel? What happened to Asahel? 15. How did both military sides react to what had happened to Asahel? _ 16. What did Joab and Abishai then do? What did they intend to do in regard to Abner?

37 Which carried the day, the sword or diplomacy? Explain your answer. 18. Geographically locate the hill of Ammah, Giah, the wasteland of Gibeon, the Arabah and Bithron. 19. What happened after Joab blew the trumpet? What did Israel and Judah do? What did Joab and Abner do? 20. In this engagement, how many of David s men were missing? How many of Abner s men were killed? How do you account for this difference in the numbers of casualties? When and where was Asahel buried?

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