Category: II Samuel

Wiersbe starts off this section review by briefly listing David's life so far-

1. Shepherd buy who had to fight off lions and bears.
2. Volunteers to fight a giant in the name of the Lord.
3. Becomes the bodyguard for the King and makes best friends with the King's son.
4. Then the dark turn to being the enemy of the King- first in his own castle and then on the run for 10 years. 10 years! That is a long, long time to be in that situation.

"It is through faith and patience that God's people inherit His promises."

This is another example of "restore" in this book- David inherits a divided kingdom, but restores it through God.

Davis was from the royal tribe of Judah. And he was a shepherd. That was what these people needed after the long period of the judges. They had completely lost their way- generations back- and needed to be restored to one kingdom under God

The foundation of the Jewish Nation was their covenant with God through the law of Moses. David had to join that covenant and promise to uphold it.

David's Capital: The City of David

Abner and Ish-Bosheth made their capital in Mahanaim, on the other side of the Jordan. (Tribe of Benjamin)

David's capital was in Hebron, in Judea. (Tribe of Judah)

David new part of restoring the tribes was to show that he was the King of everyone. So he chose a new capital that was between the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. It was a city of Jebusites, a group that hadn't been evicted when Joshua settled the Promise Land. It was also a well fortified city with natural defenses on three sides and a good water supply. That shows political and military insight. (And, of course, God's provision).

Jews were not to form alliances that would hurt their testimony of their relationship with the one true living God. Hiram of Tyre was a Phoenicians King who sent the materials, expertise, and men to build David a "house." The Phoenicians needed the food from the Jewish farmers in return for goods from around the world. David also made alliances with other nations via all of his marriages. This brought many children (plus all the concubines and their kids). All of this was against God's plan from Deuteronomy- and some of it resulted in death and heartache.

It's important to remember that David wasn't perfect, even before Bathsheba. He was human and in need of God's grace everyday- just like the rest of us. I'm sure he believed everything he did was in Israel's interest and security.

It seems that the Philistines didn't mind David being King of Judah in Hebron. Wiersbe thinks they still considered him one of their vassals.

But when he became King of all of Israel they changed their minds and considered him and enemy that must be destroyed.

In the two battles that followed (which David carefully followed God's instruction) David won back the territory that Saul had lost.

These victories put everyone on notice that this new King was guided and protected by a different kind of God than their idols, which ended up left behind on the battle field. When Israel followed God's will, instead of doing what was right in their own eyes- the results were profoundly better and to God's glory.

So now, all the tribes if Israel came to David and recognized he had been the one who had brought them victory when Saul was in command.

They called themselves his bone and flesh.

This time, his third anointing, he was anointed in public and made a covenant with them all.

He was 30 years old and reigned 40 years. (33 over all Israel and 7 and 1/2 over Judah.)

Then David took over Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made his capital there. God prospered him there. He had many more concubines and kids.

The Philistines decided to join together and take on David. David inquired of God and God promised victory-even giving him the correct strategy for each battle.

So Ish-bosheth heard about Abner and lost his courage. So, it seems like Ish-bosheth even had courage when Abner betrayed him...but Israel was affected by it as well.

Dear Lord...Saul's son's men (I think) murdered Ish-bosheth, cut off his head and carried it to David allegiance as proof of their to him now?

David pointed out to them that he had slayed the man who brought news of Saul's death, insinuating himself into the story. How much worse was it to murder a man in his bed and desecrate his body for personal gain. Plus, David refers to him as righteous. He may have been a feckless follower of Abner, but he did have a pop-culture claim to the throne.

So David have them dismembered and slaughtered.

II Samuel 4- Wiersbe

So the civil a=war between Abner/Ish-bosheth and David continued with David growing stronger and Abner growing weaker.

David's wives started having babies. (6 babies by six women, I think,)

Abner has sex with Saul's concubine and Saul's son accused him of doing it to claim the throne. Abner did not like that accusation.

Abner decides to covenant with David now and David agrees if he can have his first wife back. This happens (woefully) and then David and Abner come to terms.

But Joab, David's commander murders Abner in the meantime, because of what Abner did to Joab's brother.

David did not take it well. Hebron was a city of refuge and even a blood avenger could slay without a trial there (Ryrie), so even though Joab felt justified, David did not. He severely cursed him and his whole family- even though it was his nephew. David pointed out that Abner was a prince of the first anointed king from God. (Saul's relative.)

II Samuel 3-Wiersbe

Once again, David began the next season of his life by consulting the Lord. What do I do, where do I go? God sent him to Hebron, in Judah, and they anointed him their king (of Judah) (second anointing).

Saul had one remaining son, Ish-bosheth ("man of shame")

Abner, commander of Saul's Army had Ish-bosheth anointed kin of all of Israel. Ish-bosheth was king for 2 years, except over Judah, who followed David.

Under Abner's lead, Israel and David met and had a champion contest where multiple men from each team fought for the victory of the whole side in battle. David's men completely dominated and slaughtered Ish-bosheth's men. Then a battle and pursuit commenced that I didn't total understand. Hoping Weirsbe has some insight and why the people did and said what they did.

Oh, y Ryrie bible says that all 24 of the champion warriors killed each other. All sides lost completely. I don't do so well with chase scenes and battles. 🙂

II Samuel 2- Wiersbe

Abner was also Saul's cousin. So he probably was even more convinced of his right to inherit from Saul's post-reign. Less inclined to bow to David, who he had chased for years.

So Abner decided to fight for Ish-bosheth over David.

Joab was David's commander and David's nephew.

David was King of Judah (Hebron) for 7 and a half years.

Somehow, Ish-bosheth only reigned two years, which coincided with the end of David's 7 and a half year reign. Ryrie and Weirsbe explanation is that it took five years for Abner to round up every tribe but Judah to sign on to the new king.

Once Abner had the other tribes signed on to Ish-bosheth's reign, he declared war on David and called for the champions battle to settle the civil war. Once all 24 killed each other, Joab and Abner organized their battle formations and Joab/David won.

One of David's other nephews pursued Abner. Abner tried to warn him off and then killed him. The other two nephews of David gave chase; but Abner escaped and called a truce.