2 Samuel 3:17-39
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Abner
Abner
With Abner taking Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, does his plan to take the throne get thrown out the window?
He is caught/found by Ishbosheth and is accused by him of his act, which Abner does not deny. In fact, Abner asserts his entitlement, especially in light of what he had done for Ishbosheth by installing him as king.
“Am I a dog’s head” - am I worthless and vile to you?
“…which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends...” - am I not loyal to the throne of your father and to his brethren and friends?
“…and have not delivered thee into the hand of David...” - do I not have the power to usurp and take your authority?
“…that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?” - that you proclaim a misdeed, a sin, against this woman?
Why would Ishbosheth make such a statement?
Why would Ishbosheth make such a statement?
Scripture has helped to highlight how in Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
Yet we know from the end of the previous chapter that Abner had lost a battle against Joab’s men.
Perhaps Ishbosheth was threatened by Abner’s increasing power and wanted to find an opportunity to cut him down. At a time when Abner now had a loss against his name, Ishbosheth may have thought it the best opportune time to strike.
However, as we see this back-fired massively against Ishbosheth, as Abner’s response to Ishbosheth’s insult, that he is now afraid of him ().
And perhaps Abner was beginning to think about the throne, because we do not hear much mention of the strength of Ishbosheth, only his weakness.
Abner then in his rage rends the kingdom from Ishbosheth and promises to turn all of Israel to David.
Why would David then tell Abner’s messengers to get Michal, but also Ishbosheth?
Why would David then tell Abner’s messengers to get Michal, but also Ishbosheth?
By taking Michal through Abner it would be seen as an affront to Ishbosheth’s rightful rule as king. Therefore, David is seen as being diplomatic and also reminding Ishbosheth of exactly what he paid as dowry for Michal’s hand.
Ishbosheth is then the one that initiates the return of Michal, and Abner is the one who conducts the operation.
Abner’s Influence
Abner’s Influence
We then read of Abner’s influence over the elders of the tribes of Israel. He is able to convince them to move to appointing David as king.
But notice how Abner does this:
He starts by reminding them of their initial desire: “Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you” - this likely emphasised the trend that Israel had noticed regarding Saul and David, which Scripture began in this chapter succinctly by stating - “David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.”
He reminds them of what the “Lord hath spoken of David” first and foremost. He doesn’t start with his feelings or of gossiping about what had just happened with Ishbosheth. He doesn’t put one down, he simply exalts the other.
He mentions David’s position to God: “By the hand of my servant David in Hebron”
He mentions God’s promise: “I will save” - where is Abner getting this reference from? It’s from where it was used of Saul! But Abner would have known of David’s anointing by Samuel and knows that the prophecy given of Saul, would equally apply to the king over the throne of Israel.
He mentions who is included in the promise: “my people Israel” - this includes them!
He mentions who they will be saved from: “out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies” - remember, Ishbosheth only reigned 2 years (), while David reigned 7.5 years (). The elders would have experienced the difficulty of their war with their enemies throughout the last 5-7 years and at how Abner had helped restore Israel back as primary ruler in the land.
When Abner then meets with David they have a feast and Abner proclaims allegiance to David:
And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
Joab’s Jealousy & Vengeance
Joab’s Jealousy & Vengeance
When Joab hears of Abner communing with the king he immediately goes on the attack:
Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.
Joab’s claim is that Abner:
He came to deceive you - he told you what you wanted to hear, the Lord has promised that you will be king and he just came and told you what you wanted to hear.
He wants to know your operations
He wants to know everything you do - notice the hyperbole to try to make a point.
But was that really Joab’s concern? That Abner was spying on David’s operations?
Scripture informs us of Joab’s true intent, he himself deceives both David and Abner such that he kills him “for the blood of Asahel his brother” (v27, 30).
David’s Curse Upon Joab
David’s Curse Upon Joab
Then we come across a serious curse from David to emphasise that he did not have one part in any of Joab’s scheming.
Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
2 Sam 3:
David even tells Joab to mourn for the loss of Abner:
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
And again David pronounces at the end of the chapter that evil should not be placed upon David and his kingdom for the act of Joab:
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
This brings an interesting question: up to this point would you say that Joab would be demoted of his duties? Of whatever unofficial role he had in David’s army?
Was Joab ever mentioned as David’s captain prior to this curse in ?
No.
So this curse pronounced upon Joab would have been a demotion of Joab’s authority. He may have unofficially been David’s captain, as Scripture doesn’t confirm this, only that he leads a band, but we do see him acquire this title.
Timeline-wise we don’t read of Joab again until David is anointed king of Israel - which isn’t too long after this episode as Ishbosheth is murdered in his own bed, and when David is appointed as king over all of Israel he seeks to rid the capital, Jerusalem, of all the Jebusites.
What’s interesting as that after this event, we don’t read of Joab again until David is anointed king of Israel - which isn’t too long after this episode as Ishbosheth is murdered in his own bed, and when David is appointed as king over all of Israel he seeks to rid the capital, Jerusalem, of all the Jebusites.
Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel. And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
1 Chr 11:3-
But interestingly we don’t read of Joab’s name at all in his promotion of this same event in .
The next mention of Joab in 2 Samuel, is as a reference when the author summarises David’s kingdom by way of an inventory list:
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
It isn’t until where both Joab and Abishai are brought back into the narrative. It’s within this passage where Joab and his brother fight against Ammon and the Syrians and are greatly outnumbered. And we read of Joab a heartful moment, when he says to his brother:
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.
2 Samuel 10:11
It’s with this proclamation that Joab himself knows that he does not deserve the goodness of God and that this could be it for him. But he will still be strong and of good courage, to do his best, and the Lord may then do his will on their lives.