2 Samuel 3 - Bible Study Workshopbiblestudyworkshop.com/download/old/2_samuel/2Samuel3.pdf · 2011-06-23 · for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15. So Ish-Bosheth gave

www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell

ABNER GOES OVER TO DAVID

JOAB MURDERS ABNER

2 SAMUEL 3:1-39

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor

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Abner Goes Over to David

Joab Murders Abner

Commentary

by

Ron Thomas

Text: 2 Samuel 3:1-39, 1. The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2. Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3. his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4. the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5. and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. 6. During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7. Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" 8. Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head—on Judah's side? This very day I am



loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9. May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10. and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." 11. Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. 12. Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you." 13. "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." 14. Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15. So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16. Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back. 17. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18. Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' " 19. Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. 20. When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21. Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with



you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. 22. Just then David's men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23. When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. 24. So Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25. You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing." 26. Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. 28. Later, when David heard about this, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29. May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food." 30. (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) 31. Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the bier. 32. They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also. 33. The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died as the lawless die?



34. Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again. 35. Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!" 36. All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37. So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. 38. Then the king said to his men, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39. And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!" (NIV) Commentary: I. Summary of the events in chapter 2 and David’s Family. (2 Samuel 3:1-5)

A. 2 Samuel 3:1-5, The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. (NIV)



B. In 2 Samuel 2:17, there is a summary of the battle that took place and in the following verses the details surrounding the battle are given.

1. 2 Samuel 2:17, The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. (NIV) 2. Here, again, we have a summary of the events during the early days of David’s assumption to the throne in Judah. 3. The long war between the house of David and the house of Saul does suggest a period of time during which a contest was brewing.

a. David, knowing the Lord gave him the throne, was trying to persuade the people of Israel to accept his reign. b. On the other hand, the house of Saul, under the leadership of Abner, was trying to stop this.

C. After David assumed the throne in Judah, his family is mentioned.

1. David had six (6) wives: Abinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah.

a. In these many wives, the seeds of David’s destruction – relative to his family – have been sown. (Deuteronomy 17:17)



i. Deuteronomy 17:17, He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. (NIV)

b. “The primary concern of each of David’s wives was to advance her son(s) to the throne of Israel at David’s death. Thus, when they reached maturity, feelings of rivalry, competition, and animosity had already been sown in their hearts.” (Willis, p. 299)

2. The sons born to his wives were:

a. Amnon: died at the hands of Absalom. (2 Samuel 13:28-29

i. 2 Samuel 13:28-29, Absalom ordered his men, "Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, 'Strike Amnon down,' then kill him. Don't be afraid. Have not I given you this order? Be strong and brave." So Absalom's men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king's sons got up, mounted their mules and fled. (NIV)

b. Chileab: also known as “Daniel” in 1 Chronicles 3:1. Josephus calls him Daniel (p. 182).

i. 1 Chronicles 3:1, These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel the son of Abigail of Carmel; (NIV)



ii. It is thought he died at an early age because Adonijah appeared as the eldest son after the death of Amnon and Absalom.

c. Absalom: He occupied a prominent role later in 2 Samuel. d. Adonijah: Attempted to have a place on the throne, usurping Solomon. He was assassinated. (1 Kings 2-1)

i. 1 Kings 1:1-53, When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to attend the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm." Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no intimate relations with her. Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. (His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.) Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they gave him their support. But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei and Rei and David's special guard did not join Adonijah. Adonijah then



sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials, but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon. Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, "Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king without our lord David's knowing it? Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. Go in to King David and say to him, 'My lord the king, did you not swear to me your servant: "Surely Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne"? Why then has Adonijah become king?' While you are still there talking to the king, I will come in and confirm what you have said." So Bathsheba went to see the aged king in his room, where Abishag the Shunammite was attending him. Bathsheba bowed low and knelt before the king. "What is it you want?" the king asked. She said to him, "My lord, you yourself swore to me your servant by the LORD your God: 'Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne.' But now Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, do not know about it. He has sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the king's sons, Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on



the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise, as soon as my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be treated as criminals." While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived. And they told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." So he went before the king and bowed with his face to the ground. Nathan said, "Have you, my lord the king, declared that Adonijah shall be king after you, and that he will sit on your throne? Today he has gone down and sacrificed great numbers of cattle, fattened calves, and sheep. He has invited all the king's sons, the commanders of the army and Abiathar the priest. Right now they are eating and drinking with him and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' But me your servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon he did not invite. Is this something my lord the king has done without letting his servants know who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?" Then King David said, "Call in Bathsheba." So she came into the king's presence and stood before him. The king then took an oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out today what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place." Then Bathsheba bowed low with her face to the ground and, kneeling before the king, said, "May my lord King David live forever!" King David said, "Call in Zadok the priest, Nathan



the prophet and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." When they came before the king, he said to them: "Take your lord's servants with you and set Solomon my son on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!' Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah." Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, "Amen! May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it. As the LORD was with my lord the king, so may he be with Solomon to make his throne even greater than the throne of my lord King David!" So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and put Solomon on King David's mule and escorted him to Gihon. Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" And all the people went up after him, playing flutes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound. Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they were finishing their feast. On hearing the sound of the trumpet, Joab asked, "What's the meaning of all the noise in the city?" Even as he was speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest arrived. Adonijah said, "Come in. A worthy man like you must be bringing good news." "Not at all!" Jonathan



answered. "Our lord King David has made Solomon king. The king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites and the Pelethites, and they have put him on the king's mule, and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds with it. That's the noise you hear. Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne. Also, the royal officials have come to congratulate our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his throne greater than yours!' And the king bowed in worship on his bed and said, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has allowed my eyes to see a successor on my throne today.' " At this, all Adonijah's guests rose in alarm and dispersed. But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Then Solomon was told, "Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon and is clinging to the horns of the altar. He says, 'Let King Solomon swear to me today that he will not put his servant to death with the sword.' " Solomon replied, "If he shows himself to be a worthy man, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die." Then King Solomon sent men, and they brought him down from the altar. And Adonijah came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said, "Go to your home." (NIV)



ii. 1 Kings 2:1-46, When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go, and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' "Now you yourself know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to the two commanders of Israel's armies, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He killed them, shedding their blood in peacetime as if in battle, and with that blood stained the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. Deal with him according to your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. "But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai of Gilead and let them be among those who eat at your table. They stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom. "And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD : 'I will not put you to death by the sword.' But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to



him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood." Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. Now Adonijah, the son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Bathsheba asked him, "Do you come peacefully?" He answered, "Yes, peacefully." Then he added, "I have something to say to you." "You may say it," she replied. "As you know," he said, "the kingdom was mine. All Israel looked to me as their king. But things changed, and the kingdom has gone to my brother; for it has come to him from the LORD. Now I have one request to make of you. Do not refuse me." "You may make it," she said. So he continued, "Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." "Very well," Bathsheba replied, "I will speak to the king for you." When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat down at his right hand. "I have one small request to make of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." The king replied, "Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you." So she said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given in marriage to your brother Adonijah." King Solomon answered his mother, "Why do you request Abishag the



Shunammite for Adonijah? You might as well request the kingdom for him—after all, he is my older brother—yes, for him and for Abiathar the priest and Joab son of Zeruiah!" Then King Solomon swore by the LORD : "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if Adonijah does not pay with his life for this request! And now, as surely as the LORD lives—he who has established me securely on the throne of my father David and has founded a dynasty for me as he promised—Adonijah shall be put to death today!" So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. To Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and shared all my father's hardships." So Solomon removed Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD, fulfilling the word the LORD had spoken at Shiloh about the house of Eli. When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah though not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was beside the altar. Then Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, "Go, strike him down!" So Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, "The king says, 'Come out!' " But he answered, "No, I will die here." Benaiah reported to the king, "This is how Joab answered me." Then the king commanded Benaiah, "Do as he says.



Strike him down and bury him, and so clear me and my father's house of the guilt of the innocent blood that Joab shed. The LORD will repay him for the blood he shed, because without the knowledge of my father David he attacked two men and killed them with the sword. Both of them—Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel's army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah's army—were better men and more upright than he. May the guilt of their blood rest on the head of Joab and his descendants forever. But on David and his descendants, his house and his throne, may there be the LORD's peace forever." So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck down Joab and killed him, and he was buried on his own land in the desert. The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in Joab's position and replaced Abiathar with Zadok the priest. Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head." Shimei answered the king, "What you say is good. Your servant will do as my lord the king has said." And Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time. But three years later, two of Shimei's slaves ran off to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, "Your slaves are in Gath." At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath. When



Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, 'On the day you leave to go anywhere else, you can be sure you will die'? At that time you said to me, 'What you say is good. I will obey.' Why then did you not keep your oath to the LORD and obey the command I gave you?" The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your heart all the wrong you did to my father David. Now the LORD will repay you for your wrongdoing. But King Solomon will be blessed, and David's throne will remain secure before the LORD forever." Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and killed him. The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands. (NIV)

e. Shephatiah and Ithream: nothing more is known of them.

II. David, Abner, and Joab. (2 Samuel 3:6-39)

A. 2 Samuel 3:6-39, During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head—on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! May God deal



with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you." "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' " Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. Just then David's men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told



that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. So Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing." Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. Later, when David heard about this, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food." (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the bier. They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also. The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died as the lawless die? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again. Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!" All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. Then the king said to



his men, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!" (NIV)

B. The accusation Ish-Bosheth made to Abner. (2 Samuel 3:6-11)

1. 2 Samuel 3:6-11, During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head—on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. (NIV) 2. There is difficulty in understanding what was taking place; was Abner guilty of Ish-Bosheth’s accusation?

a. Nothing in the text makes this clear. b. Abner clearly refused the rebuke by the king, and consequently, turned his course of action against the king.



c. Winter thinks that Abner was guilty (pp. 388-389), as does Smith (p. 65); Josephus, on the other hand, thought Abner was done wrong by Ish-Bosheth (p. 182).

3. Perhaps a key to interpreting this section is the phrase that Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

a. That Abner would be a strong influence in the kingdom is easy to understand. b. Being Saul’s commanding general, he held sway over many.

i. Moreover, he was very politically astute.

c. In any event, there is nothing in the text to show that Ish-Bosheth’s accusation was correct.

4. Abner did not take the accusation lightly; he was accused of treason (with such an action).

a. He railed at Ish-Bosheth.

5. Rizpah is mentioned four (4) times in the Bible, all in 2 Samuel (3:7; 21:8-10); she was the only concubine mentioned that belonged to Saul.

a. 2 Samuel 3:7, Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" (NIV) b. 2 Samuel 21:8-10, But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter



Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. (NIV) c. Many of the kings in those days would form political alliances, though we do not know if this applied in her case. d. Also, many kings would have concubines for pleasure’s sake. e. That which belonged to the king went to the next king to show his control over what belonged to the former king.

6. Ish-Bosheth’s accusation was very serious indeed.

a. This accounts for Abner’s indignant reply. b. It is at this time that Abner decided to take action and turn the kingdom over to David.

7. It is clear that Abner was the force behind the throne of Ish-Bosheth.



a. Abner knew that the disloyal accusations laid at his feet by Ish-Bosheth could (and would) result in his death.

8. Abner was no fool; he knew that God had promised the kingdom to David, because Saul had been rejected.

a. However, he attempted to thwart that to some degree because he wanted the power to stay within the house of Saul where his selfish ambitions could better be maintained.

9. Ish-Bosheth was king only because of his relation to Saul; he knew the power of the throne lay in Abner.

a. When Abner rebuked him, Ish-Bosheth said nothing because he feared Abner.

C. Abner prepared to give the kingdom to David. (2 Samuel 3:12-21)

1. 2 Samuel 3:12-21, Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you." "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So



he went back. Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' " Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin wanted to do. When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. Then Abner said to David, "Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a compact with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. (NIV)

a. Abner now put into action his plans to make David king over all Israel.

i. However, Abner tried to make a deal with David. ii. A deal, covenant for what? iii. Perhaps it had to do with, in part, keeping Abner alive; perhaps it had to do with making the transition easy because both David and Abner knew that a transition of power could easily go awry.

2. In any case, David agreed with the overtures of Abner, but first his wife Michal must be returned to him.



a. This action was for two reasons: first, Michal was indeed David’s wife (1 Samuel 18:20, 27; 19:11), and second, there is a political component to this.

i. 1 Samuel 18:20, 27, Now Saul's daughter Michal was in love with David, and when they told Saul about it, he was pleased. David and his men went out and killed two hundred Philistines. He brought their foreskins and presented the full number to the king so that he might become the king's son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. (NIV) ii. 1 Samuel 19:11, Saul sent men to David's house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, warned him, "If you don't run for your life tonight, tomorrow you'll be killed." (NIV)

b. In 1 Samuel it is stated that Michal loved David and Saul used this against him. c. Though David had to flee, there is no necessary reason to think that his love toward her was not present, and that her love toward him abated. d. The political component would be that others would see that Michal, of the house of Saul, was now connected to the house of David.

3. David sent a message to Ish-Bosheth demanding his wife back, since he had legal standing for her. (2 Samuel 3:14-16)



a. 2 Samuel 3:14-16, Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back. (NIV) b. Ish-Bosheth, an exceedingly weak monarch, agreed to this and it is Abner who forced Paltiel, Michal’s husband, to return home and let Michal return to David. c. Michal’s brother and guardian had to acquiesce to the situation. d. This is a tragic situation.

4. It is likely that Abner consulted with the elders of Israel before he escorted Michal back to David. (See Smith and Anderson)

a. The elders of Israel were often consulted because of their wisdom and statute in the tribes. d. Before Abner could have any success at reconciliation with David, leaders had to be in agreement. e. When Saul was anointed king over Israel, he was anointed king in order to defeat the Philistines. (1 Samuel 9:16)



i. 1 Samuel 9:16, "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." (NIV) ii. Saul’s reign was now over, and he had been dead for a while. iii. Abner, Saul’s general, could not overcome the Philistines. iv. Whatever ability Abner had, if the Lord was against Israel, the victory was not on the side of the people.

5. Abner and David met to establish a covenant. (2 Samuel 3:13)

a. 2 Samuel 3:13, "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." (NIV) b. The identities of the twenty (20) men who were with Abner are unknown.

i. Whoever they were, David recognized them and the parties to the situation had a festive time, a time of enjoyment.

c. “This feast was, probably, a banquet marking the end of successful negotiations and not a covenant meal



unless this covenant was a private agreement between David and Abner, giving certain privileges to the latter.” (Anderson, p. 60).

i. David’s position was accepted and recognized by Abner and Israel. ii. David and Abner separate from one another in peace.

D. Joab’s treachery. (2 Samuel 3:22-32) 1. 2 Samuel 3:22-32, Just then David's men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. So Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing." Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. Later, when David heard about this, he said, "I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. May his blood fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house! May Joab's house never be without someone who has a



running sore or leprosy or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food." (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.) Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the bier. They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also. (NIV) 2. Joab learned of the meeting between Abner and David.

a. Immediately Joab confronted David and asked David why he had not apprehended Abner instead of letting him go freely. b. Smith suggests (p. 67) that David might have sent Joab on an expedition in order to have time with Abner without distractions. (2 Samuel 3:22-25)

i. 2 Samuel 3:22-25, Just then David's men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace. So Joab went to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! (NIV)



c. It is possible that Joab would have taken it as an affront to have David receive the opposing army’s commanding general. d. Whatever the explicit motivation of Joab, his displeasure at what occurred was mentioned to David, and he accused Abner of deceptive practices. e. It is strange that no record was made of David’s reply to Abner; perhaps it would not have mattered because Joab planned to retaliate against Abner.

3. Joab, taking matters into his own hands and without David’s knowledge, sent messengers to Abner requesting him to return.

a. Smith says that Abner would not have come to meet Joab if Joab had not called Abner in David’s name.

i. Perhaps Joab called for Abner in David’s name in order to guarantee a private meeting with him. ii. In any case, Abner returned and Joab murdered an innocent man. (2 Samuel 3:26-27) iii. 2 Samuel 3:26-27, Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the gateway, as though to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died. (NIV)



4. What did David do about this?

a. David made it clear that he (and his administration) were innocent of any wrong-doing.

i. All guilt fell on Joab.

b. This proclamation was declared because it was true, and because, in a political climate, David needed the people to hear and understand that the agreement he and Abner had reached was honor bound – and treachery should not have happened.

5. It appears that David did nothing!

a. Why?

i. It is hard to say, but perhaps Youngblood was correct when he said that David was realistic enough to realize that he was not in a powerful enough position to overcome the sons of Zeruiah (p. 839). ii. This seems somewhat strange to our way of thinking, but let us be careful about judging a situation that existed three thousand (3,000) years ago and about which we do not have full information.

6. What David did being a prophet (Acts 2:29-30) was to put a curse on Joab and his household.

a. Acts 2:29-30, Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us



unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (NIV) b. “It is necessary to specify that David’s curse was aimed at Joab’s male descendants; otherwise it would not be clear that ‘one who works at the spindle’ refers to a man doing woman’s work rather than a woman” (NET, translation note; E-Sword). c. Smith notes that the curse put on Joab and his family was no insignificant thing: “And thus his imprecations are all such as would be humiliating to a family so distinguished for great physical as well as mental gifts…” (p. 68). d. Anderson comments (on 3:39), “Here we find a lame but not improbable explanation why David as king and administrator of justice…failed to punish the murderer of Abner” (p. 63).

i. 2 Samuel 3:39, And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!" (NIV)

e. One cannot help but notice something in David; in addition to the good within him, there was some weakness related to Joab and, later on, David’s son Absalom.



E. David must have felt that he could not punish Joab for the murder of Abner, but he did seek to (and accomplished) Joab’s humiliation to some degree. (2 Samuel 3:31-39)

1. 2 Samuel 3:31-39, Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, "Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner." King David himself walked behind the bier. They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner's tomb. All the people wept also. The king sang this lament for Abner: "Should Abner have died as the lawless die? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. You fell as one falls before wicked men." And all the people wept over him again. Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, "May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!" All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. Then the king said to his men, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!" (NIV) 2. At the funeral of Abner, there was a public memorial and Joab had to honor it – it is thought that as David followed the funeral bier, Joab and Abishai had to do the same (cf. Anderson, pp. 62-63). 3. At the burial ground, David made further comments against Joab (though he is not mentioned by name).



a. Abner was understood to be an honorable man who had his dignity and justice taken away from him.

4. It appears that David’s actions were sincere, but there is an additional component that must be considered - that his further actions were also to help eliminate, as much as possible, any suspicion that others might have had that he may have been involved in Abner’s death.

a. It is to be understood that some did not care what David said or did.

i. They were against him!

b. On the other hand, others did indeed take note. (2 Samuel 3:36-37)

i. 2 Samuel 3:36-37, All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. So on that day all the people and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. (NIV)

5. Public humiliation was (and is) very powerful, but it does not compare to the power of being dead!

Homiletics Thoughts: Analysis of Chapter I. Rival interests.

A. Two men in opposing armies. Both were capable men, leading other men. It appeared that both men were ambitious – and it is to be expected that a man commanding other men would possess



some ambition. But, when does that ambition cross the line of greed?

1. With Joab, it crossed the line early.

II. Physical and moral courage.

A. Physical and moral courage does not always translate into doing the right thing all the time.

1. He who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. 2. Some of the struggles of life relate to trying to live right all the time. 3. Sometimes the desire to do right is not always fulfilled.



Questions

2 Samuel 3:1-39

Questions

by

John C. Sewell

1. What was the cause of the war between the house of Saul and the house of David? ____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Exactly how long did this war last? __________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. List the sons born to David in Hebron and their respective mothers. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



4. Who was Abner and what, during the war, had he been doing? (see verse 6) ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Who was Rizpah? Who was Ish-Boshbeth? What upset Ish-Bosheth? Why would this upset Ish-Bosheth? ____________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Why was Abner really angry with Ish-Bosheth? _________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What did Abner threaten to do? Did he follow up on these threats? Give details. _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. What further action did Ish-Bosheth take in regard to Abner? Why did he take this course of action? _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. What proposal did Abner make to David? Was David interested in Abner’s proposal? If so, why was he interested? ___________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. What demand did David make of Abner? Why did he make this demand? What was the significance of this stipulation? _____________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Relate all you know and can learn about David’s relationship with Michal? ___________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. What dowry did David pay for Michal? Give details of how he obtained this dowry. _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



13. Was Michal happy to be returning to David? Who was Paltiel? How did he feel about Michal’s returning to David? ________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. What lessons can we learn from Paltiel? ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. What did Abner urge the elders of Israel to do? Why did he urge the elders to respond in this way? Give careful thought to your answer. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. What was the significance, importance of Abner’s speaking to the Benjamites? ________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. What did Abner propose to David when they met in Hebron? What was David’s response? Was Abner acting in good faith? ____________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. Who was Joab? What had he and his men been doing? __________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. What was Joab’s reaction to the news that David and Abner were working peacefully together? What accounted for this reaction? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Did Joab think Abner could be trusted? Did Joab arrive at this opinion objectively or prejudicially? Give reasons for your answer. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. What did Joab do? Was David privy to Joab’s plans? ____________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



22. Who was the better man, Abner or Joab? List positives and negatives applicable to each? __________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. Where was the well of Sirah? _______________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. Should Abner have known better than to return to Hebron with Joab’s messengers? Did he have a choice or was he forced to return with them? _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. What woes did David pronounce on Joab and his house? What part did Joab have in Abner’s funeral procession? How do you think Joab felt about this turn of events? __________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



26. In what ways does this remind you of Haman and Mordecai? (see Esther 2-8) ________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27. Who was Abishai? What part did he have in Abner’s demise and funeral? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. Why was abstinence from food until sunset on the day of Abner’s funeral important to David? ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29. Everything David did pleased the people? Was everything David did right or were the people gullible? ____________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. “So on that day all the ________________________and all __________________ knew that the ______________________had no



___________________ in the _______________ of ________________ ______________________ of ______________________.” (NIV) 31. The king said, “Do you not realize that a __________________ and a ______________ _________________ has _____________________ in _________________ this _____________________.” (NIV) 32. Whatever happened to Joab? See 1 Kings 2:23-35. ______________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Documents

2 Samuel 3 - Bible Study Workshopbiblestudyworkshop.com/download/old/2_samuel/2Samuel3.pdf · 2011-06-23 · for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15. So Ish-Bosheth gave