The New King…Kind of

Here we are - this section begins the narrative peak of 1st and 2nd Samuel…David’s rise to the throne.

David, one of the most significant characters in Israel’s history, climbs to the pinnacle of his career and then tumbles from that lofty height through a complicated series of events initiated by his won sin.

In the process David, the man after the Lord’s heart, fulfills major Torah prophecies regarding the rise of the tribe of Judah to rulership over Israel, the determination of the place where the Lord would put his Name for His dwelling, the acquisition of territories promised to Israel since the days of Abraham, and the destruction of Moab, Edom, and Amalek.

David’s life also becomes a metaphor for the nation of Israel. His conquest of the land; a period of rich blessing, desolation and exile cause by sin; and return to the land following a time spent east of the Promised Land make the portrayal of his life a picture depicting the Lord’s blessings, judgments, and restorative mercy.

This portion of 2 Samuel is not only a historically accurate and detailed account of David’s rise and fall, but also a profound object lesson in Torah theology and a metaphor of hope for later Israel.

2 Samuel 2 CSB

1 Some time later, David inquired of the Lord: “Should I go to one of the towns of Judah?” The Lord answered him, “Go.” Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord replied. 2 So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 In addition, David brought the men who were with him, each one with his family, and they settled in the towns near Hebron. 4 Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

We do not know how long but after an appropriate time of grief for Saul and Jonathan, David sought the Lord.

The reason David was not in Israel was the threat of Saul’s anger toward him but now that threat had been removed so David went to the Lord for guidance in his own life.

You could imagine David though he knew what to do but I love how he asked God to either affirm or overrule his intentions - Even if the answer seems obvious, ask God anyway.

The question, “Should I go to one of the towns of Judah?” Why Judah? This is the tribal territory of his ancestors and the location of the Israelites most likely to support him in his efforts to claim Saul’s throne.

I also love how God does not divulge more information than is needed. David asked if he should go and God said, “Go”, a one word answer.

The answer to go prompted the second question, where should I go?

The Lord’s answer, “Hebron”.

Three factors favored David’s settlement in Hebron: 1. It was the largest city of refuge in the region. 2. It was a Calebite city. and 3. It was a city set aside for the Aaronic priesthood.

As a city of refuge it was set aside as a haven for one who had been falsely accuse of murder - no doubt there were those in Israel who believed David played a role in Saul’s death.

The size of the city would have been beneficial as well. David had a large group of people who would be coming with him - he has his 2 wives plus 600 soldiers and their families.

David had 2 additional things going for him heading to Hebron - he was married to the widow (Abigail) of a Calebite and and Aaronic priest, Abiathar, was part of his entourage.

After returning and establishing himself in Judah again, some men came and anointed David king, well king of Judah at least. The group could have included some of his family who was present when Samuel initially anointed David as future king.

For now both David’s support and kingdom were limited…

2 Samuel 2 CSB

They told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “The Lord bless you because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. 6 Now, may the Lord show kindness and faithfulness to you, and I will also show the same goodness to you because you have done this deed. 7 Therefore, be strong and valiant, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

David’s first action as newly anointed king was outreach - he heard about what the men of Jabesh-gilead did for Saul.

When Saul first became king Jabesh was under attack by the Ammonite’s - they cried out to Saul for help and the Spirit of the Lord came on him powerfully and Saul rescued the people of Jabesh-gilead.

The narrator is linking David and Saul together - Saul’s first encounter as king was with Jabesh who maintained their loyalty to Saul even in hi death - David’s first encounter as king is also with Jabesh-gilead thus tying them together.

While Saul’s rescued them David praised and reassured the people of Jabesh - David was reputed to be an enemy of Saul and potentially an adversary of the Gileadites.

To alleviate their potential concern about David he sent a personal message to the people of Jabesh-gilead basically thanking them for the kindness they showed Saul and offering a blessing from God.

David encouraged them to be strong and brave because even though is gone they are not without a king, Judah has anointed him king and he would be there if they so chose.

2 Samuel 2 CSB

8 Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth and moved him to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin—over all Israel. 10 Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he became king over Israel; he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. 11 The length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Typically, if the king dies one of his offspring would become the heir to the throne. Saul was killed along with his sons, well it seems that only 3 of them went out for battle. It is possible that Ish-Bosheth was purposely kept back in order to ensure a direct heir to the throne in case of a battlefield catastrophe like the one that actually happened.

Saul had 6 sons: Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua, Ish-boseth (aka Esh-baal), Armoni and Mephibosheth - it was the 3 oldest who were killed in the battle and Ish-boseth is the youngest of his sons who were not born to a concubine.

It was Saul’s cousin, Abner who took Ish-bosheth and installed him as king over Gilead (tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh), Asher, Jezreel (tribe of Issachar), Ephraim, and Benjamin - missing are Simeon, Levi, Dan, Naphtali, Zebulun.

Simeon did not have it’s own territory but was in with Judah - Levi did not have it’s won land but was scattered throughout especially cities of refuge like Hebron - Dan would have been in the northern part up by Manasseh though not mentioned probably would have aligned with Ish-bosheth - Naphtali is next to Dan and so their allegiance might have been similar - Zebulun more of the same - this could be what the author meant by “all Israel”.

It is also possible that Dan, Naphtali and Zebulun did not pledge allegiance to either and stood apart for a time.

Based on a reading of verses 10 and 11 it appears David ruled Judah for 7 1/2 years and Ish-bosheth ruled the rest of Israel for 2 years - those 2 years would have been years 6 and 7 of David’s reign - that means the rest of Israel would have been without a king for over 5 years.

If this is correct then the logical conclusion is that the Philistine’s were in control enough to prevent the rise of any Israelite to the throne. Abner possibly kept things running until such a time as Israel’s circumstances improved enough to install a king.

2 Samuel 2 CSB

12 Abner son of Ner and soldiers of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13 So Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s soldiers marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. The two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool. 14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men get up and compete in front of us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. 15 So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve from David’s soldiers. 16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side so that they all died together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is named Field of Blades. 17 The battle that day was extremely fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David’s soldiers.

For some reason Abner took troops and left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon - 4 possible reasons: 1. to have a war counsel with David’s representatives, 2. to enlist further pro-Saulide military support from the men of Benjamin, 3. to establish a site back in Benjamite territory from which Ish-bosheth could rule and/or 4. to mount an attack against David’s forces who were establishing a presence in that area.

What ever the reason, Abner expected hostilities because he brought his troops with him.

Joab is David’s nephew - he took some soldiers marched out and met Abner and his troops.

Both forces paused and commenced a stand off until Abner challenged Joab to a strange competition.

There is no parallel to this type of contest (maybe similar to David and Goliath).

12 men from each side went out and faced off - the only thing they had was their sword - grabbing their opponent by the head and ran each other through with their sword.

No I am not sure if this is strange wording for hand to hand combat or if the challenge was to take a sword in the side and see who lived… what we know is that it resulted in all 24 men falling dead that day.

The draw only inflamed tensions and a fierce battle broke out between the 2 forces - leaving Abner and his soldiers defeated.

2 Samuel 2 CSB

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was a fast runner, like one of the wild gazelles. 19 He chased Abner and did not turn to the right or the left in his pursuit of him. 20 Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “Yes it is,” Asahel replied. 21 Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or left, seize one of the young soldiers, and take whatever you can get from him.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him. 22 Once again, Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How could I ever look your brother Joab in the face?” 23 But Asahel refused to turn away, so Abner hit him in the stomach with the butt of his spear. The spear went through his body, and he fell and died right there. As they all came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, they stopped, 24 but Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah, which is opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon.

The author lists 3 of David’s nephews who all played key parts in the days events.

Asahel was a good runner - “like wild gazelles”.

Apparently the battle and defeat cause Abner to flee the field of battle so Asahel gave chase and closed the distance quickly.

Abner is familiar with Asahel and had a conversation while running - the gist of the conversation - leave me alone and go find one of the soldiers and kill him and take all his stuff if you want.

Abner tried again to dissuade Asahel because he didn’t want to kill him and have to look Asahel’s brother Joab in the face.

Abner could not shake him or convince Asahel to stop his pursuit so he defended himself - it seems Abner really did not want to kill him because he used the bunt end of his spear. This should have knocked the wind of out him and slowed him down but instead…

Asahel must have been charging hard and Abner may have swung a little too hard because the blunt end of the speak went in and through Asahel, killing him.

It was a freakish way to die and it must have pretty gruesome - it was dramatic enough to make everyone stop before the passed.

His brothers would not be deterred - Joab and Abishai continued the pursuit of Abner until sunset.

2 Samuel 2 CSB

25 The Benjaminites rallied to Abner; they formed a unit and took their stand on top of a hill. 26 Then Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?” 27 “As God lives,” Joab replied, “if you had not spoken up, the troops wouldn’t have stopped pursuing their brothers until morning.” 28 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight. 29 So Abner and his men marched through the Arabah all that night. They crossed the Jordan, marched all morning, and arrived at Mahanaim. 30 When Joab had turned back from pursuing Abner, he gathered all the troops. In addition to Asahel, nineteen of David’s soldiers were missing, 31 but they had killed 360 of the Benjaminites and Abner’s men. 32 Afterward, they carried Asahel to his father’s tomb in Bethlehem and buried him. Then Joab and his men marched all night and reached Hebron at dawn.

Abner was on a hill top and some forces from Benjamin rallied to help Abner.

Abner calls out to Joab to consider the consequences of pursing the conflict against Abner and his supporters - it would end in bitterness.

In a previous generation Israel almost wiped out the Benjamites which they came to regret later and if they didn’t stop this situation would turn out the same way,

Joab received the message and stopped his men from continuing the battle.

Abner took advantage of the pause and the cover of night to escape and regroup his forces.

Joab also left the battle and returned home to Hebron - once there he did a casualty count - 20 men, 19 plus Asahel but they killed 360 of the Benjaminites and Abner’s men.

As they retreated Joab and his men retrieved Asahel’s body and returned him to Bethlehem and buried him there.

2 Samuel 3:1 CSB

1 During the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, David was growing stronger and the house of Saul was becoming weaker.

The previous battle is the only one detailed in what was an ongoing conflict between the house of David and the house of Saul.

The incident characterized the general course of the hostilities throughout the 2 year conflict.

This was basically a conflict between 2 families vying for undisputed control of one nation not 2 nations at war with each other.

David was God’s choice to be leader of Israel so the last part of verse one stated the inevitable - David was growing stronger and the house of Saul was getting weaker.