Abner Joins Forces with David
January 6, 2022
Commentary
Israel and Judah had lost sight of God’s plan for them to settle in the land, drive out the Canaanites, and obey His laws (GEN 12:7; DEU 7:1–4; 8:1). Instead of uniting to accomplish these goals, they fought one another (3:1). More and more the people of Israel supported David, even though Ishbosheth was still king. In reality, Ishbosheth was only a figurehead. The real power belonged to Abner. During the more than seven years David ruled in Hebron, God continued to bless him. David took additional wives, including the daugh-ter of the king of Geshur, and each wife bore him a son during this period (3:2–5).
At first, Abner was loyal to the house of Saul and viewed David as a threat to the nation (3:6). When Abner took one of Saul’s concubines as his own, Ishbosheth rebuked him (3:7). This act suggested a claim to royal authority. Angered by the rebuke, Abner declared that he would now help deliver the kingdom of Saul to David. He began negotiations and promised to bring all Israel under David’s rule (3:8–12). Before agreeing, David required that his first wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, be returned to him (3:13–14). Ishbosheth com-plied, and Abner spoke with Israel’s elders, urging them to support David (3:15–19).
When Joab returned and learned that David had welcomed Abner at a feast and sent him away in peace, he confronted David sharply (3:20–23). Joab accused Abner of spying and questioned David’s judgment (3:24–25). Behind his words were fear and jealousy, since Abner’s influence threatened Joab’s own position. Once again, personal ambition and wounded pride slowed Israel’s movement toward unity under God’s chosen king. This season shows how God works patiently, even when His people move slowly.
Application
When people around me want power, how do I respond? Do I trust God’s timing, or do I push my own plan? When I feel confused or unsure, do I act out of fear or out of faith? Today I ask God to help me choose patience and humility. Will I wait on the Lord, speak honestly, and believe He is working, even when change feels slow?
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!”
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