Abner Joins Forces With David
September 4, 2022
Commentary
Israel and Judah had lost sight of God’s plan for them to settle in the land (Gen. 12:7), to drive out the Canaanites (Deut. 7:1-4), and to obey God’s laws (Deut. 8:1). Instead of uniting to accomplish these goals they fought each other (v. 1). More and more the people of Israel were in support of David even though Ishbosheth was their king. In actuality Ishbosheth was a figurehead more than a real king. It was Abner who was in control. During the seven plus years at Hebron David continued to prosper. He took three additional wives, one of whom was the daughter of the king of Geshur. Each of his wives bore him one son during this period (vv. 2-5).
Early on Abner was very loyal to the house of Saul. At the same time he viewed David as a threat to the nation (v. 6). He took a concubine of Saul’s as one of his own which was a common practice in those days when someone wanted to indicate his succession to a king. When Ishbosheth found out about this he rebuked Abner (v. 7). In anger Abner responded that he would now work to deliver the kingdom of Saul over to David and proceeded to make an agreement with David to do this (vv. 8-12). Before David would consider a covenant, however, he insisted that his first wife Michal, daughter of Saul, be returned to him (vv. 13-14). Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband while Abner communicated with the elders of Israel about surrendering to David’s leadership (vv. 15-19).
When Joab found out that David had entertained Abner at a feast (v. 20) and made overtures of friendship to him (vv. 21-23) he rebuked him saying that Abner’s purpose was to spy on David (vv. 24-25). Possibly he said this because he was afraid of Abner taking his job as military leader away.
Application
To Abner, God was someone whom he would cooperate with if it suited his plans. Otherwise he did what seemed best to him at the time. It can be so easy for me to do the same thing. Obedience is easy when God’s word fits my plans but what do I do when his plans are contrary to my plans!
2 Samuel 3:1– 25 (NET)
1 However, the war was prolonged between the house of Saul and the house of David. David was becoming steadily stronger, while the house of Saul was becoming increasingly weaker.
2 Now sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, born to Ahinoam the Jezreelite. 3 His second son was Kileab, born to Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. His third son was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur. 4 His fourth son was Adonijah, the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah, the son of Abital. 5 His sixth son was Ithream, born to David’s wife Eglah. These sons were all born to David in Hebron.
6 As the war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was becoming more influential in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. Ish Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”
8 These words of Ish Bosheth really angered Abner and he said, “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah? This very day I am demonstrating loyalty to the house of Saul your father and to his relatives and his friends! I have not betrayed you into the hand of David. Yet you have accused me of sinning with this woman today! 9 God will severely judge Abner if I do not do for David exactly what the Lord has promised him, 10 namely, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah all the way from Dan to Beer Sheba!” 11 Ish Bosheth was unable to answer Abner with even a single word because he was afraid of him.
12 Then Abner sent messengers to David saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make an agreement with me, and I will do whatever I can to cause all Israel to turn to you.” 13 So David said, “Good! I will make an agreement with you. I ask only one thing from you. You will not see my face unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to visit me.”
14 David sent messengers to Ish Bosheth son of Saul with this demand: “Give me my wife Michal whom I acquired for 100 Philistine foreskins.” 15 So Ish Bosheth took her from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband went along behind her, weeping all the way to Bahurim. Finally Abner said to him, “Go back!” So he returned home.
17 Abner advised the elders of Israel, “Previously you were wanting David to be your king. 18 Act now! For the Lord has said to David, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the Philistines and from all their enemies.’”
19 Then Abner spoke privately with the Benjaminites. Abner also went to Hebron to inform David privately of all that Israel and the entire house of Benjamin had agreed to. 20 When Abner, accompanied by twenty men, came to David in Hebron, David prepared a banquet for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Abner said to David, “Let me leave so that I may go and gather all Israel to my lord the king so that they may make an agreement with you. Then you will rule over all that you desire.” So David sent Abner away, and he left in peace.
22 Now David’s soldiers and Joab were coming back from a raid, bringing a great deal of plunder with them. Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, for David had sent him away and he had left in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him arrived, Joab was told: “Abner the son of Ner came to the king; he sent him away, and he left in peace!”
24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Abner has come to you. Why would you send him away? Now he’s gone on his way! 25 You know Abner the son of Ner. Surely he came here to spy on you and to determine when you leave and when you return and to discover everything that you are doing!”