2 Samuel 3 – Civil War in Israel and when Generals Run Amok
The setting of 2 Samuel 3 describes Civil War in Israel.
Perhaps Bible summaries have done us a disservice by describing David as the
Second King of Israel after Saul and that is right, to some extent. But before
David was king, there was Civil War in Israel where David was king in Judah,
and Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was king over the Benjamin, and the rest of Israel.
2 Sam 3:1 documents for us:
“There was a long war between the house of Saul and the
house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul
became weaker and weaker.”
We as readers know what will happen, for 1 Samuel already
describes for us a time when Saul’s kingdom will go to David.
But 2 Sam 3 is important for us. In both kingdoms, there are
two generals, who overrule their kings. Abner overrules Ish-bosheth and Joab
overrules David in these two kingdoms.
First Abner, who by this time has grown to be an important
figure in the narrative, takes one of Saul’s concubines, an act which
Ish-bosheth calls him out. But 2 Sam 3:1 prepares us for this, because the
house of Saul was already growing weak, and one would hardly care for a weak
king. He’s unable to control his men and Abner mocks the powerless king and
decides in his heart that he will switch allegiance.
He goes to David pledging to help transfer the kingdom to
David. But in the previous chapter he had murdered Asahel the brother of Joab
who is one of David’s fiercest warriors. Indeed Joab had wanted to take revenge
the last time but was unsuccessful. It was told to Joab that Abner was in the
building.
It was then that he overruled David from making alliance
with Abner and decides to call him back, and have him killed.
Two kingdoms, two generals, overruling their king. The
narratives are played out side by side by the author. What does he want us to
know?
Do we know of a place where there are generals overruling
the king?
Yes. The church. When we think we are better than others,
using our influence to "run the place". Perhaps caught up in our self-importance, we think the place will collapse without us.
We are the Abners and Joabs who have overruled our king.
2 Samuel 3 ends of with these verses:
“And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a
prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today,
though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I.
The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”
May we not be like Abner, and Joab, but instead be like the
gentle king Jesus.
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