Thursday, June 20 – 2 Samuel 3, 4 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets chapter 69, “David Called to the Throne”

1. Why did Joab kill Abner? 2 Samuel 3:27-30 (further reference 2 Samuel 2:18-22)

2. Why does David feel the need to declare the innocence of Abner’s death? 2 Samuel 3:28, 35-37

3. What was the name of Saul’s grandson who became lame? 2 Samuel 4:4

4. What caused him to become lame?

5. How old was he?

Commentary and Reflection

The emphasis of chapter 3 is to capsulate the advancement of David’s rule over the whole territory of Israel.  According to 2 Samuel 3, David’s strength was enduring throughout the long war between him and the house of Saul.  David had six sons and was also married to Maacah, the daughter of the king of Geshur.  The Andrew’s Study Commentary, p. 456, states that this marriage alliance was to strengthen David’s kingdom.  However, the household of Saul decreased, as there were no descendants mentioned from Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son. 

As prophesied, David was the anointed king; however, David did not assume command of all Israel at first.  He was anointed king of Judah, his own tribe.  There was a power-play of the house of Saul in the person of Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, and Abner, the commander in chief of the armies.  Ish-bosheth was afraid of his army general, Abner, who was increasing in strength and becoming friendly with David, who was Ish-bosheth’s enemy. Abner was a very ambitious man, as he wanted to help David unite the kingdom as a whole, and he, Abner, would become the chief of the army of David thus replacing Joab who was the current army chief.  Joab distrusted Abner and later killed him.

Chapter 4 indicates how the Israelites became distressed because of Abner’s death. Thinking that they were serving justice, two men, captains of bands of Ish-bosheth, take matters into their own hands and kill Ish-bosheth, hoping that their under-handed service would help maneuver David into Kingship of the total territory.  The consequence of Ish-bosheth’s murder was that David commanded the two who killed Ish-bosheth, Baanah and Rechab, to be killed. 

In the scheme of our lives, it is important that we allow God’s providence to work its full course.  We are not to take matters into our own hands to try and hasten God’s purpose thinking that God requires our assistance! For example, Sarai doubted God that the promised seed would come through her.  Instead, she recommended her husband, Abram, take Hagar, her hand maid, to produce the seed that God promised, but that was not in God’s plan (reference Genesis 16).  Baanah and Rechab, thought they were helping David by putting an innocent man, Ish-bosheth, to death in his own house, but David did not require that type of help (see 2 Samuel 4:9-12).  David trusted that God would bring to pass His command for him to be king of both Israel and Judah, for he was already anointed; the spirit of God had departed from Saul and rested on David. God’s purpose and will for David would come through in due time.  David trusted and put his confidence in God.   Likewise, when we completely trust God, He will allow His will to be realized in the way and in the time that He promises in our best interests – for our salvation and for His glory!

May the Lord bless and keep you.  May His grace multiply in our hearts as we continue to study His Word.