Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More
Since the time God decided to put a throne in Israel against his own will, it was clear that the path to the throne was not a straight shot. As King David rose in Israel, the house of Saul under Abner’s leadership is diminished. The remaining strength of Saul’s royal family fails. Abner the opportunist delivered what’s left of the kingdom to David when he saw the winds of power change to David’s rising star. The first verse of this chapter tells you what this chapter is about. David waxed stronger and stronger.
But what the Shepherd of Israel knew at this time and even before this (the Shepherd is the LORD Jesus Christ from heaven), was that He cannot put confidence in man to do what needed to be done with His kingdom. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. Nevertheless, the decision was made by the LORD to represent His heavenly kingdom with a disobedient nation that demanded a visible, earthly king.
Polygamy (vss 2-5)
- There were sons born to him in Hebron unto David. His family is growing and that’s the point here. Saul’s family is diminishing, but David is expanding his influence.
- This is not God’s way of growing a family. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold
- Someone described David’s polygamy well by saying, This is an ugly feature of David’s domestic life.
- The LORD Jesus Christ must’ve shook his head when he agreed to put a throne in Israel before his coronation. Because even the best man for the job, David at the time, in the entire nation that had been given light and privileges other nations hadn’t, even the best man for the job would not be reliable to do what needed to be done.
Emulation (vss 6-12)
- A house divided: in verses 6-8 there is an internal conflict in what’s left of Saul’s house.
- It’s not completely clear whether Abner has taken one of Saul’s concubines for his own, but his reaction sounds like he’s guilty. When someone pinpoints your sin you make a lot of noise. People start hurling accusations when they get caught.
- What’s clear is that a relationship has fallen apart. Even if Abner hasn’t done what he’s been accused of, the working relationship between Ishbosheth and Abner has fallen apart in a way that trust has been betrayed. For Abner, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to repair it.
Pride (vss 13-21)
- David isn’t sure what to think about Abner so he doesn’t rely on what he doesn’t know, he relies on boundaries. David demands to bring Michal, the only living daughter of king Saul, to ensure there will be no other attempts made by Abner to steal the throne. (David had been married to Michal very early on and she left to choose another man, David’s request had legitimacy.)
- Part of proving yourself means you need to give up the thing that you rely on or could rely on in the future.
Revenge (vss 22-30)
- Abner killed Asahel, Joab’s brother, in battle. Now Joab is getting revenge.
- David’s nephews are fierce warriors, but unruly. He’s shepherding dragons.
- Joab is a bloodthirsty killer. There is a proper way to deal with this, but Joab has no interest in that.
Irresponsibility (vss 31-39)
- David does not deal with something that he needs to deal with here. His nephew Joab should be dealt with, but David doesn’t have the stomach to do it. It will become more of a problem in the future.
- David spiritualizes his negligence in dealing with troublemakers working for him.
- David himself will come to regret this decision to not act. At the end of David’s life, he’ll have these words for his son Solomon who will reign in his stead. 1 Kings 2:5-6 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.
In this chapter, David’s star is rising. David waxed stronger and stronger. He is becoming the head of the nation. He is the best man for the job of judging the nation, but he’s not good enough to accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished for the LORD’s kingdom. He is not Jesus Christ. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
