NBBC SS: 2 Samuel 2

Introduction: Saul is dead …

David’s been anointed king but has yet to assume the throne …

The unfortunate events of the previous chapter form the sad backdrop of the present chapter…

2 Samuel 2 “1 Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” 2 So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. 3 And David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.

What I find so fascinating is not simply the fact that David sought the Lord here but the circumstances under which David sought the Lord.

He’s just learned that Saul is dead.

And that Saul’s ultimate demise came at the hands of an Amalekite under suspicious circumstances.

You know, that whole scene is really fascinating.

Because, in the end, it’s uncertain as to whether or not the Amalekite could have been trusted.

So, David is in this predicament because he’s been told that Saul is dead but from a source that is suspect.

Anyone ever felt like they couldn’t trust what it was that they were hearing?

Fake news, right?

And, with the ever increasing presence of AI, sometimes it’s hard to determine what is real from what is generated!

And it’s got to be running through his head that he was anointed as the next king of Israel.

One can only imagine the immense pressure that he was feeling to act in this moment.

But, with the weight of these circumstances, what is it that David chooses to do?

What he’s done before: seek the Lord.

Notice the questions that David puts before the Lord.

The first question pertains to timing, whether or not now is the right time to go.

The second pertains to place, where is the right place for David to go.

Brothers and sisters, we see David here not wanting to make a move without first having sought the Lord.

Because David knows that he can trust the Lord, in spite of the uncertain circumstances.

Brothers and sisters, because David wants to please the Lord he seeks the Lord until God’s Word has given him the confidence to make the next move.

Similarly, rather than act according to our own reason out of the pressure to do something, we need to seek the Lord, waiting to act in confidence of what we believe will please Him the most based on the Spirit’s use of God’s Word within His people.

Notice that the weight of this decision does not only affect David (cf. 2 Sam 2:2-3).

It affects his family (i.e. Ahinoam and Abigail, who were likely pregnant, cf. 2 Samuel 3).

It affects his troops (at least 600 men, cf. 1 Samuel 30:10).

It affects the families of his troops, which likely reached a 1,000+!

Even with the pressure of the circumstances and the people who were counting on him, David still sought the Lord; reminding us that regardless of the circumstances or people, we must always seek the Lord, waiting until His Word by His Spirit within His people has given us the confidence to act in such a way as to please Him.

4 Then the men of Judah came and there anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” 5 David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said to them, “May you be blessed of the Lord because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord, and have buried him. 6 “Now may the Lord show lovingkindness and truth to you; and I also will show this goodness to you, because you have done this thing. 7 “Now therefore, let your hands be strong and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”

The most fascinating thing about this scene, to me, is role of Jabesh-Gilead here.

The scene being recalled in David’s message is that of a contingent of soldiers from Jabesh-Gilead undertaking a treacherous mission to Beth Shan (some 20 mi one way) to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons and given them a remotely proper burial.

Jabesh-Gilead had close ties with Saul.

Through family, cf. Judges 21 (400 JG women to marry men of Benjamin to save the tribe from extinction [may be Saul’s heritage].

Through Saul’s rescue in 1 Samuel 11.

Notice also the use of the term “kindness” [NASB; NIV; NKJV]/“loyal(ty)” [ESV; NLT].

In other words, this effort on their part was an incredible act of faithfulness to Saul.

Thus, it’s very likely that this loyalty from the people of Jabesh-Gilead is on account of both familial ties and Saul’s demonstrated loyalty to them.

Something that I do not want for us to overlook is the fact that David seeks to reward those who showed loyalty to the man who hunted David down as his own enemy.

Similar to David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan, David finds reason to praise the efforts of those who supported the man who made David his enemy.

In other words, David is not opposed to honoring those to whom honor is due, even when it comes to those that made David their enemy.*

What David is doing here is not just recognizing their faithfulness that deserves blessing from the Lord and acknowledgement leading to reward from David (cf. “I also will show this goodness to you” 2 Sam 2:6).

The NASB and numerous other translations include “therefore” in 2 Samuel 2:7 for a good reason.

David is seeking to use his kind words to invite the people of Jabesh-Gilead to give their loyalty to David who has been made king in place of Saul.

Upon hearing this, our thoughts immediately go to, why? (let’s keep reading.)

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

In short, there’s a challenger to the throne of Israel.

And, he’s not just any challenger; he’s the former king’s son.

Therefore, he has the right to the throne from a physical heritage perspective.

This is the first time that Ish-bosheth is referenced.

He’s also known by the name Esh-baal (cf. 1 Chr 8:33; 9:39; BEB).

We don’t know anything about this guy.

We don’t know why he wasn’t fighting with his father and brothers.

We don’t know anything about his leadership style.

However, what happens next under his administration may give some insight into the kind of person that he was.

What we have here brothers and sisters is a perceived threat to God’s plans from a person surrounded by uncertainty.

These kinds of things can tend to make us nervous.

However, has the Lord Who directed David at the beginning of this passage changed?

He certainly has not.

And, He continues to work, even amidst the threat and uncertainty.

Let’s keep reading to understand the kind of administration that Ish-bosheth has come into.

12 Now Abner the son of Ner, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon with the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul. 13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon; and they sat down, one on the one side of the pool and the other on the other side of the pool. 14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Now let the young men arise and hold a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” 15 So they arose and went over by count, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16 Each one of them seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 That day the battle was very severe, and Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.

What I find fascinating is that when both armies meet, neither seems to want to strike first (cf. CPNIV).

They just come to a pool and seemingly stare at one another.

That is, until Abner makes a tragic suggestion.

This is really fascinating that Abner speaks up first.

What does his suggestion allude back to?

1 Samuel 17 and the showdown between David and Goliath.

What does this suggest about Abner?

His influence by the Philistines.

In other words, Abner is no better than the Philistines.

Or, Abner is acting more like someone who is not part of God’s people than acting like God’s people.

Brothers and sisters, you can’t tell the difference between Abner and those who aren’t God’s people.

Now, the suggestion may seem pretty reasonable.

Select a smaller group of people to do the fighting for the larger group of people.

This way, not as many people die.

Yet, brothers and sisters, we talking about the death of anybody.

At the end of the day, did these guys really have to die?

No!

If Abner and Ish-bosheth had just given their allegiance to Israel’s true king, they wouldn’t have had to die!

Brothers and sisters, Abner is acting according to his own reason to protect the terrible choice that he’s made.

And, he’s using a tactic of the enemy (the Philistines) to avoid doing what would please the Lord.

What we’re seeing here are the deadly consequences of relying on our reason to justify our sinful choices.

It’s fitting that the people of Israel memorialized this tragedy with the name that they gave to this place.

“Helkath-hazzurim”

“Field of [Sharp; NKJV] Swords [NLT]/Flints [NET].”

Every time someone would pass by this field they would be reminded of the foolish choice that was made in similitude to the Philistines to have a small contingent from each side fight each other to the death.

And this because one man relied on his reason to justify his choices.

This justification was ultimately to avoid doing what would please the Lord.

This plan that may have intended to resolve the fighting only made matters worse as we read in the next section.

18 Now the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab and Abishai and Asahel; and Asahel was as swift-footed as one of the gazelles which is in the field. 19 Asahel pursued Abner and did not turn to the right or to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.” 21 So Abner said to him, “Turn to your right or to your left, and take hold of one of the young men for yourself, and take for yourself his spoil.” But Asahel was not willing to turn aside from following him. 22 Abner repeated again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?” 23 However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.

The impression that I get of this scene is of still continued tragedy.

Here you have a gifted individual who is cut down because a guy refuses to submit to the justice due to his terrible actions.

Yet, Asahel’s determination is incredibly inspiring.

Regardless of the threats, Asahel pursues Abner undeterred.

Brothers and sisters, this is the sort of determination that we need when it comes to living to please the Lord.

Did you notice Abner’s reference to his relationship with Joab?

He recognizes that killing Asahel will compromise his relationship with Joab.

Apparently, Abner does not count this relationship dear enough to stop him from lethally applying his spear to Asahel.

In other words, Abner is willing to sacrifice relationships in pursuit of what he wants.

It’s terrible to say but we’re seeing a form of this today.

It’s called going “no-contact.”

It’s particularly prominent about younger generations.

They’re being encouraged that, if their friends and family do not agree with their lifestyle (i.e. LGBTQIA+) then cut off any kind of contact with them.

In other words, if they’re not going to affirm you in living the way you want, then don’t include them in your life any longer.

This is nothing but extreme selfishness and is a grave warning to how far our selfishness can take us when unchecked by the presence of the Spirit that we are leaning hard into.

With Asahel down, others come in to pick up the pursuit of Judah’s most wanted (let’s keep reading).

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and when the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is in front of Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon. 25 The sons of Benjamin gathered together behind Abner and became one band, and they stood on the top of a certain hill. 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “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?” 27 Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then the people would have gone away in the morning, each from following his brother.” 28 So Joab blew the trumpet; and all the people halted and pursued Israel no longer, nor did they continue to fight anymore. 29 Abner and his men then went through the Arabah all that night; so they crossed the Jordan, walked all morning, and came to Mahanaim.

You know, Abner’s words have some real truth in them.

He’s correct that the continued pursuit would only lead to a deeper rift and bitterness between the two sides (NET Bible; Mackay).

This would make future reconciliation rather difficult (NET Bible; Mackay).

However, Abner’s words also are rather practical.

His troops have suffered some losses (cf. 2 Sam 2:17), the significance of which will come about in the next and final section.

Abner’s forces are worn out and need to regroup.

In other words, Abner knows that continued fighting will deplete his troops.

Notice how Joab’s response confront’s Abner’s initial tragic choice (cf. 2 Sam 2:27; Keil and Delitzsch).

Joab sees the responsibility as lying squarely with Abner’s terrible suggestion that began the conflict in the first place.

In other words, Abner has no one but himself to blame.

Hence, brothers and sisters, his examples demonstrates how reasoned suggestions can have severe consequences that we cannot anticipate.

30 Then Joab returned from following Abner; when he had gathered all the people together, nineteen of David’s servants besides Asahel were missing. 31 But the servants of David had struck down many of Benjamin and Abner’s men, so that three hundred and sixty men died. 32 And they took up Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb which was in Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men went all night until the day dawned at Hebron.”

If you feel sad as I read these words, then I believe that’s how the Spirit wants for us to respond.

There has been needless bloodshed of individuals who were cut down in their prime.

But, this is what following your own way does!

It has consequences.

And those consequences impact people, sometimes in life-changing ways.

Conclusion: Yet, brothers and sisters, let us not forget where we started.

The passage opened with a man who was intent on pleasing the Lord with when and where he would move.

This kind of devotion is impossible on our own. It must be Spirit-driven - otherwise, we succumb to our own desires that drive our reasoning and motivates our choices that have destructive consequences for us and others.