"Few men have experienced such tore social and domestic trials as David did, Not, only 'was he caused much trouble by political traitors in his kingdom, but, what was far more painful, 'the members of his own family brought down heavy grief upon him. His favorite wife turned against him (6:20-22), his daughter Tamar was raped by, her behalf brother (13:14), his son Amnon was murdered ('13:28,29). His: favorite son Absalom sought to wrest the kingdom from him, and then he was murdered (18:14). Before. his death,,, another of his sons, Adonijah, sought, to obtain the throne (1 Kings 1:5), and he too was murdered (1 Ki. 2:24-25) - A. W. Pink, The Life of David, p. 250

We would do well to pay close attention to the life of this man "after God's own heart." The remainder of II Samuel relates to us the successes and failures of the king who best typifies, in so many ways, the coming Messiah.

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. "DAVID WAXED STRONGER AND STRONGER..." - (1-5)

II. ABNER ANNOUNCES HIS DEFECTION TO THE CAMP OF DAVID - (6-11)

III. ABNER AND DAVID MAKE A LEAGUE - (12-21)

IV. JOAB MURDERS ABNER - (22-30)

V. DAVID LAMENTS THE DEATH OF ABNER - (31-39)

I. "DAVID WAXED STRONGER AND STRONGER..." - (1-5)

The chapter begins presenting to us a section that must leave one with somewhat mixed emotions. The opening statement would seem to be clothed in an air of victory and rejoicing, yet, the list of David's sons and wives is an ominous foreshadowing of events to come. David had a sin problem, it was spelled W-O-M-E-N. Moses warned the children of Israel, "Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee ... But he shall not multiply horses ... Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away..." (Deut. 17:15-17).

A long war continues between the houses of David and Saul. David has amassed himself quite an army and following, as is presented to us in (1 Chron. 12:1-40). God begins to put the wheels in motion for the fulfillment of the promise, (1 Sam. 15:28; 16:1,2; Gen. 49:10) "the sceptre shall not depart from Judah."

Three of the six sons listed in the text are murdered in the scriptural account, Amnon (13: 28,29), Absalom (18:14), Adonijah (1 Ki. 2: 24,25). Of course the list of wives and sons does not end here (Solomon and Bathsheba, (I Ki. 1:28-31), Michal (vs. 13) of this chapter).

 

II. ABNER ANNOUNCES HIS DEFECTION TO THE CAMP OF DAVID - (6:11)

Abner was introduced to us in (1 Sam. 14:50). He was the captain of Saul's army. After the death of Saul he assumed the leadership position, and took it upon himself to install Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as Saul's successor to the throne. In (2 Sam. 2), we saw that Abner killed Asahel, the brother of Joab in combat, although it is readily apparent that Abner attempted to avoid the confrontation. Joab has not forgotten.

It is obvious from the context of these verses, that Abner has made a serious 'pass' at one of Saul's concubines, Rizpah. Ish-bosheth is incensed by Abner's actions and confronts him accordingly. The 'pass' implies that Abner may have had some kingly aspirations in mind by "marrying into the family." Ish-bosheth is intimidated (vs. 11), and attempts to ward of the competition. Afterall, if Abner installed Ish-bosheth, why couldn't he "de-install" him. (Don't look for that word in Webster's.) Look at the context of (1 Ki. 2:22), note the importance of the concubine's position.

Abner is offended... "Am I a dog's head?..." (1 Sam. 9:8; 16:9; 17:43; 2 Ki. 8:13). Guilty or not, Abner realizes that Ish-bosheth is powerless in his rebuke. Abner influences public opinion, and as captain of the host, the military leaders listened for the voice of "the general."

Abner's statement of (vs. 9), "as the Lord hath sworn to David," would lead us to believe that it is common knowledge that David is God's choice for the throne; see (vs. 18; 1 Sam. 15:28; 16:1; 28:17).

 

III. ABNER AND DAVID MAKE A LEAGUE - (12-21)

Abner makes contact with David and expresses his intentions as per verse nine. David, in response gets a little greedy. David asks Abner to do him a special favor to prove his new found loyalty, "bring Michal Saul's daughter." I Samuel 14:49; 18:28; 19:11-17; 25:44 will provide the background for their past relationship. With six wives already occupying the 'harem,' it would seem a bit ludicrous to recover another that has been gone for many years. Deuteronomy 24:3,4 suggests that there could be some additional moral 'red tape.' Michal turns out to be David's bitter enemy (6:20-23).

Again, verses 17 and 18 imply that God's decree to make David king, appear to be common knowledge. Abner begins riding the circuit representing Judah's 'favorite son' candidate for king, David. Ish-bosheth can offer little resistance as it becomes even more obvious that he was merely Abner's puppet on the throne. The "handwriting" is on the wall for Ish-bosheth, as David's campaign begins to pick up momentum and roll. Abner had made many friends over the years, his support was anxiously accepted by David (vs. 21).

 

IV. JOAB MURDERS ABNER - (22-30)

Joab is not present during the "powwow" between David and Abner. Joab has a deep hatred for Abner, stemming from the loss of his brother, Asahel, in combat at the hand of Abner (2:23).

When Joab finds out about the meeting, he immediately accuses Abner of deceit. David, apparently aware of the "sour grapes" in Joab's background, gives Joab a hearing, but passes it off as so much rhetoric. Little does David know, that Joab is contriving a plan for the liquidation of his enemy. Actually it is Joab that is the deceiver! It appears that Joab sends messengers, in the name of David, to fetch Abner back to Hebron. When Abner arrives, Joab takes him aside and "slips him a mickey" (vs. 27).

Joab is not only a murderer and deceiver, but he violates another set of Old Testament laws. Hebron (vs. 27) was one of the Old Testament cities of refuge designated in (Josh. 20:7,8). The rules governing these cities are found in (Num. 35). Joab commits a murder in one of the six cities designated to be free from any bloodshed.

David is not cognizant of all the happenings. He is shocked and infuriated by the news of Abner's death. "Let it rest on the head of Joab...," and it does in (1 Ki. 2:28-34). David curses Joab's house with blood disease issue, (Lev. 15:2), leprosy, crippling disease, suicide and starvation, (of course in Christian charity).

Notice the Holy Spirit gives Abishai the dubious honor of sharing the responsibility for the crime with his brother. There is no biblical contradiction between (vss. 27 & 30), God is merely exposing the heart of Abishai, (1 Jn. 3:15)!

 

V. DAVID LAMENTS THE DEATH OF ABNER - (31-39)

"Bier" (vs. 31) means "a hand barrow or portable frame on which a corpse is placed, or borne to the grave," a casket or bed.

Although Abner spent much of his time playing for the opposition, David recognizes Abner for his character, courage and accomplishments, "there is a prince and a great man fallen in Israel today" (vs. 38). As we have seen before (1 Sam. 31), David is not afraid or too envious of others to give credit where credit is due. Following David's example, the people fast and weep over Joab's folly and the loss of Abner.

David's fame and popularity is growing rapidly, "whatsoever the king did pleased all the people." The people realize that David has had nothing to do with the death of Abner, and in so doing David pronounces judgment, "the Lord shall reward the doer of the evil according to his wickedness (vs. 39; Gal. 6:7).