Bible Studies
David Becomes King Over All Israel (2 Sam. 2:4-11)
Series: Studies in Second SamuelIntroduction:
1. With this reading we continue the study of our ancient ancestors, and particularly, King David and his rise to power. 2. After Saul’s death David prayed to God, recognizing that he was in a position to be enthroned as the new king.a. He asked God if he should proceed in this direction. God answered in the affirmative.
b. He asked God where he should go. God said, “Hebron.”
3. There the men of Judah anointed him as king. 4. In Israel however, another scenario was developing.a. Abner, the mighty military leader of Saul’s forces, was in control.
b. He appointed Ishbosheth, son of Saul, as king over Israel.
5. The tension was stiff. 6. In this study we will examine the dynamics of what happened. We will contrast the two approaches to power the author of Second Samuel would have us see and identify some of the relationship lessons that we can gain from an examination of what transpired as King David comes to the throne.Discussion:
I. The author of First and Second Samuel presents David as manifesting and commending the manifestation of “hesed” and contrasts this with the “grasp for power” approach used in the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Sam. 2:5-10).A. Previously (1 Sam. 20:14-16) Jonathan had asked David to manifest the lovingkindness of God to his household (the household of Saul).
1. David had manifest lovingkindness toward Saul.
2. He demonstrated it further in care for Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan (2 Sam. 9:7).
B. The men of Jabesh-gilead had demonstrated this when they took Saul’s body from the wall in Bethshan and buried it (2 Sam. 2:5-7).
1. David called on the Lord to demonstrate lovingkindness to them.
2. He promised to show this goodness to them.
C. Manifesting lovingkindness to others is a mark of submitting oneself to God’s will.
1. David had done this when he asked God about pursing the kingship.
2. Only with God’s approval did David go up to Hebron there to be anointed king.
D. By contrast Ishbosheth was appointed by Abner as a result of Abner’s military power.
1. These are radically different approaches to power.
2. The world’s approach is to take power. Heaven’s approach is for God to give power. Note Matt. 20:20ff; Mk. 10:35ff.
3. The servant of God does not forcefully take control, but humbly submits to God who does the empowering.
II. Attempts to forcefully take control result in opposition and often death in political and military situations, business, marriage, family, church and community relationships.A. This dynamic is addressed more fully in the tensions that developed between Abner and David’s chief fighting men, Joab, Abishai and Asahel.
B. The tensions were at a feverish state when Abner proposed a contest (2:12-17).
1. It is typical in such situations that a fight develops. “My mama can whip your mama.” “My Daddy will come to school.” “My sword is bigger than your sword.”
2. The contest did not go well. The place became known as “Helkath-hazzurim” (the field of sword edges).
3. Abner and his men were beaten.
4. When beaten in such episodes there is nothing to do but flee in humiliation or die in defiant arrogance.
5. It is often better to let your opponent flee rather than trying to “hit him while he is down.”
C. But as Abner fled Asahel pursued (2:18-23).
1. “He could not let it go.” “He couldn’t leave well enough alone.”
2. Abner warned him twice. He is an experience warrior. His forces may be defeated, but personally Abner is a “war-bird” and Asahel is no match for him. He may be able to outrun Abner, but he had better respect Abner’s battle skill. Like the old song says, “You don’t pull the mask off the Lone Ranger. You don’t spit into the wind. And you don’t mess around with Slim.”
3. Abner killed Asahel.
4. There is a lesson here for governments, churches, marriages, etc. Show some respect!
D. As is often the case, Joab and Abishi, took up the pursuit (24-32).
1. Abner had killed their brother.
2. Abner had rallied forces (to defend themselves).
3. He asked Joab, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the end? How long will you refrain from telling the people to turn back from following their brothers?”
4. You can hear him saying, “Let’s stop the slaughter!”
5. Marriage partners say that. Business partners say that. Family members say that. Church members say that.
6. You can just keep cutting one another until you both bleed to death. Every cut intensifies the desire to hurt back.
E. It is a matter of “grasping for power,” an attempt to gain control by hitting back.
F. In this instance Joab saw the wisdom and returned from following Abner, but 3:1 summarizes: “There was a long war.”
III. David’s kingdom was established when Abner joined with David (3:6ff).A. Abner was a very powerful man.
B. Ishbosheth, the king, less so.
C. Ishbosheth questioned Abner’s taking of his father’s concubine. Taking the king’s wives was considered a show of power (Cf. 2 Sam. 16:20ff).
D. Abner used this as an occasion to transfer his power to David.
E. Ishbosheth is speechless because he is afraid of Abner (3:11).
F. Some people are like Abner. They use their power to do whatever it is that they want to do. Challenge them and they use their power to destroy you. They do this with their money, With their following, with their rhetoric (17-19).
G. Such is illustrated further in the matter concerning Michal.
1. She was taken from David by Saul and given to another.
2. Now David has power and asks for her back.
3. Ishbosheth capitulates and takes her from her husband.
4. The husband went with her weeping.
5. Abner sent him home.
6. And in all this Michal had no say in the matter.
H. Observe that the account keeps David pretty much separated from the bloodshed and the power mongering, nevertheless his position as king is being established.
Conclusion:
1. See the many powerful, dynamic and practical lessons in this text! 2. Do not abuse your power. Instead of grasping for control and putting others down lift up the downtrodden and empower the weak for such is the kingdom of God. 3. Show some respect! 4. Bless those who persecute you and do not curse. Never pay back evil for evil. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. So far as it depends on you be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge. If your enemy is hungry feed him and if he is thirsty give him a drink. Overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:14-21).
