Division Between David & Ishbosheth
December 13, 2020
Commentary
Now that Saul was dead, there was a powerful vacuum in the land, particularly in Judah. Saul and three of his sons by his wife Ahinoam were gone. Saul also had two other sons by his concubine Rizpah (2SA 21:8, 11). David, and most people, including Israel’s enemies, knew David would now be king. Having sought the mind of the LORD, David was told to go to Hebron, where he was formally installed as king over Judah (2:1–2). This fulfilled the anointing Samuel had given him about fifteen years earlier (1SA 16:13). This was a decisive and important move, for it immediately alienated David from the Philistines, with whom he had taken refuge, and it placed his reign in rivalry with Saul’s son Ishbosheth, who succeeded his father in the north.
Saul and Jonathan had sons. Normally, one of them would have come to the throne if God had not intervened. Abner, who had been the captain of Saul’s army, moved quickly to make Ishbosheth king. Abner, Saul’s general, supported Ishbosheth, perhaps fearing he himself would be killed if David became king (2:3–11). 10 tribes followed Ishbosheth, while two tribes, Judah and Simeon, followed David. Ishbosheth was a very weak leader and briefly reigned for only two years. He was intimidated by Abner, who led the army and maintained significant power.
During this time, David began to show his diplomatic skills. The men of Jabesh-gilead had cremated and buried Saul. David sent them a message thanking them for their kindness. He also encouraged them to be strong and faithful. David then invited them to join him and the people of Judah so that Israel could present a united front against its common enemies (2:5–7). Rather than using force, David responded with wisdom, patience, and respect, trusting God to unite the nation.
Application
How do I respond when God’s plan moves slowly? How can I trust His plan when everything feels unstable? Do I wait on the Lord or push for control? Where do I need to surrender my pride and trust His Son today? When others choose power or fear, will I choose patience and obedience? Will I put my confidence in Him?
2 Samuel 2:1–11 (NET)
1 Afterward David inquired of the Lord, “Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” The Lord told him, “Go up.” David asked, “Where should I go?” The Lord replied, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up, along with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, formerly the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 David also brought along the men who were with him, each with his family. They settled in the cities of Hebron. 4 The men of Judah came and there they anointed David as king over the people of Judah.
5 So David sent messengers to the people of Jabesh Gilead and told them, “May you be blessed by the Lord because you have shown this kindness to your lord Saul by burying him. 6 Now may the Lord show you true kindness! I also will reward you, because you have done this deed. 7 Now be courageous and prove to be valiant warriors, for your lord Saul is dead. The people of Judah have anointed me as king over them.”
8 Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish Bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim. 9 He appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel. 10 Ish Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he began to rule over Israel. He ruled two years. However, the people of Judah followed David. 11 David was king in Hebron over the people of Judah for seven-and-a-half years.
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