Introduction:

The Lord’s Covenant Promise to David.

The promise of a royal dynasty.

Like God’s promise to Abraham, his covenant with David is unconditional: It does not depend on human obedience or faithfulness but only on God’s unchanging love.

God promised David, that His “favor will not be taken from him”.

A story with dual meanings.

• • • Some elements of this story would be fulfilled in the immediate future, while some elements of this story would be realized in the more distant future.

2 Samuel 7:1-17 NLT
The Lord’s Covenant Promise to David
¹ When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, ² the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”
³ Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”
⁴ But that same night the Lord said to Nathan,
⁵ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? ⁶ I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. ⁷ Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’
⁸ “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. ⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! ¹⁰ And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, ¹¹ starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.
“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! ¹² For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. ¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. ¹⁵ But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. ¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”
¹⁷ So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 7:1-17 NLT
The Lord’s Covenant Promise to David

¹ When King David was settled in his palace

This would have taken place in the last decade of King David’s reign.

2 Samuel 5:11 NLT
¹¹ Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace.

Hiram became King of Tyre around 980 B.C.

Approximate years of King David’s rule were 1010 BC to 970 BC. 

and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, 

With God’s help, David had conquered the nations surrounding Israel.

• David was settled in his palace in Jerusalem and was enjoying a period of peace.

Note: Some commentators believe that 2 Samuel 8 takes place before 2 Samuel 7.

They believe that the arrangement of material is topical.

Chapter 6 was about bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. Chapter 7 is about building a temple for the Ark. 

² the king summoned Nathan the prophet.

Nathan is mentioned here for the first time.

“Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!”

Building a temple was something David really wanted to do.

This is mentioned in Psalm 132 which may have been written by David.

Psalm 132
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
¹ Lord, remember David
and all that he suffered.
² He made a solemn promise to the Lord.
He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
³ “I will not go home;
I will not let myself rest.
⁴ I will not let my eyes sleep
nor close my eyelids in slumber
⁵ until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,
a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”

David consulted Nathan the prophet about building a more permanent structure in which the Lord could reside.  The tent was no longer suitable, in David’s mind, especially in comparison to his own elaborate palace.

• David consulted Nathan the prophet about building a more permanent structure in which the Lord could reside. 

³ Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”

• Initially Nathan the prophet encouraged David to pursue this noble project.

Initially Nathan the prophet encouraged David to pursue this noble project.  Nathan told David that he had the Lord’s blessing, but at this point in time neither David nor Nathan had consulted the Lord.

• At this point in time neither David nor Nathan had consulted the Lord. 

⁴ But that same night the Lord said to Nathan, 

• God reveals His will to Nathan. (Verses 5-16) 

⁵ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for me to live in? 

Other scriptures:

1 Kings 8:18-19 NLT
¹⁸ But the Lord told him, ‘You wanted to build the Temple to honor my name. Your intention is good, ¹⁹ but you are not the one to do it. One of your own sons will build the Temple to honor me.’

1 Chronicles 17:4 LT
⁴ “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in.

1 Chronicles 22:8 NLT
⁸ “But the Lord said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name. 

• David was not chosen by God to build the temple. 

⁶ I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. ⁷ Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’

It was not God’s idea for David to build Him a Temple.

• God had never asked the Israelites to build Him a house and did not want David to build a house for Him. 

⁸ “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. 

God had a role for David.

• God had called David to be a leader (shepherd) of His people. 

⁹ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! ¹⁰ And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, ¹¹ starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. 

1 Kings 5:3 NLT
³ “You know that my father, David, was not able to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord his God because of the many wars waged against him by surrounding nations. He could not build until the Lord gave him victory over all his enemies. 

• David’s desire to build a temple was commendable, but his gift and mission were to fight the Lord’s battles until Israel was securely at rest in the Promised Land. 

“‘Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 

• David wanted to build a temple for God. Instead, God would build a house, or in reality, a dynasty for David.

God has been building Israel ever since the days of Abraham.  Now God commits Himself to build David’s royal house so that the promise to Israel may be fulfilled – rest in the Promised Land.

• God’s covenant with David finds its ultimate fulfillment in the kingship of Christ who was born of the tribe of Judah and the house of David. 

¹² For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 

• Solomon would build a temple.

1 Chronicles 22:6-10 NLT
⁶ Then David sent for his son Solomon and instructed him to build a Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. ⁷ “My son, I wanted to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God,” David told him. ⁸ “But the Lord said to me, ‘You have killed many men in the battles you have fought. And since you have shed so much blood in my sight, you will not be the one to build a Temple to honor my name. ⁹ But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. ¹⁰ He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

¹⁴ I will be his father, and he will be my son.

• Kings in David’s line would enjoy a special covenant relationship with God.

To the believers in Corinth:

2 Corinthians 6:18 NLT
¹⁸ And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.” 

If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 

Wrongdoing requires a just response from God.

¹⁵ But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 

God will always keep his promise to preserve David’s dynasty. (see the comment following vs. 16) 

¹⁶ Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’”

This refers to the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Although the dynasty disappeared for hundreds of years, David’s house and kingdom were renewed in Jesus Christ, the sinless descendant of David who reigns forever.

• The complete and final fulfillment of God’s covenant with David is found in the Messiah’ Jesus Christ, the “son of David”. 

It was the coming Messiah who would establish David’s kingdom forever.

Christ is a descendant of David. (This is stated in numerous passages of scripture.)

Matthew 1:1 NLT
¹ This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

Luke 1:32-33 NLT
³² He (Jesus) will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

 Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT
⁶ For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen! 

¹⁷ So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.

Note: Verses 5-16 were a vision from God to Nathan.

 

Introduction:

Opposing Worldviews

Define worldview:

Your worldview is the lens through which you see and interpret the world around you.

A worldview is the way a person sees and understands the world. It includes their beliefs, values, and experiences that shape how they think and act.

Who was missing during Saul’s reign?

The most important commandment. (Given to the people of Israel long before this time.)

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NLT
⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

As Saul’s reign progressed, his relationship with God deteriorated significantly. One pivotal moment occurred when Saul disobeyed God’s explicit command regarding the Amalekites. (iAsk)

1 Samuel 15:10-28 NLT (When Saul did not completely destroy the Amalekite nation.)

The Lord Rejects Saul
¹⁰ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ¹¹ “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”  ^…
Saul Pleads for Forgiveness
²⁴ Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. ²⁵ But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”
²⁶ But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”
²⁷ As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. ²⁸ And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you.

Contrast:

Acts 13:22 NLT
²² But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’

2 Samuel 6:12-23 NLT

Michal’s Contempt for David 

¹² Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. ¹³ After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. ¹⁴ And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. ¹⁵ So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
¹⁶ But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.
¹⁷ They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it. And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. ¹⁸ When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ¹⁹ Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.
²⁰ When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”
²¹ David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. ²² Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” ²³ So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life. 

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 6:12-23 NLT (See 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:3)

Michal’s Contempt for David

¹² Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.”

• God’s blessing on the household of Obed-Edom showed David that the Lord’s anger had been appeased.

So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 

From the previous lesson:

• The Ark represented the presence of God.

Exodus 25 NLT (selected verses)
¹⁰ “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. … ¹⁶ When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
… ²¹ Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. ²² I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

The Ark could be seen as the earthly throne of Israel’s God. 

¹³ After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps,

Note: men were carrying the Ark.

The men were transporting the Ark properly.

Go to 1 Chronicles:
1 Chronicles 15:26 NLT
²⁶ And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 

David sensed that things were going well. (No one was struck dead.) 

David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 

God’s blessing was on the Levites. (1 Samuel 15:26 shown above.)

David responded by offering sacrifices to the Lord.

David sacrificed here and in verse 17.

David was worshipping the Lord.

• David worshipped God by sacrificing a bull and a fattened calf. 

¹⁴ And David danced before the Lord with all his might,

Psalm 149:3 NLT
³ Praise his name with dancing,
accompanied by tambourine and harp. 

Psalm 150 NLT (the last Psalm)
¹ Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
² Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
³ Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
⁴ Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
⁵ Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
⁶ Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Exodus 15:20-21 NLT
²⁰ Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. ²¹ And Miriam sang this song:

“Sing to the Lord,
    for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
    into the sea.” 

• Praising the Lord with dancing is Biblical. 

wearing a priestly garment. 

David was dressed as a priest, not a king. (David was not a descendant of Aaron.)

A garment usually reserved for priests and those ministering before the Lord. 

¹⁵ So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. 

• David and all the people of Israel were celebrating as they transported the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. 

¹⁶ But as the Ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window.

• Michal is identified as the daughter of Saul, not David’s wife, in verses 16, 20, and 23.

Was Michal more David’s wife or Saul’s daughter?

Some background:

Michal was originally married to David.

Following David’s escape from Saul, Saul gave Michal in marriage to Palti (or Paltiel), son of Laish (1 Samuel 25:44).

After Saul died and Ish-bosheth (Saul’s son) became king, David demanded that Michal be returned to him as part of a political alliance (2 Samuel 3:13-16).

Who helped Michal shape her worldview? 

When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.

• When Michal saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she was filled with contempt for him.

David was not acting like she thought a king was expected to act.  In her eyes his behavior was undignified.

It appears that Michal had no appreciation for the significance of the event.

Michal may have wanted David to remain a warrior, rather than a man of God. 

¹⁷ They brought the Ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the special tent David had prepared for it.

Go to iAsk or Chat GPT.
David placed the Ark of the Covenant in a tent, often referred to as the “Tent of David,” on Mount Zion. This was separate from the tabernacle that Moses had constructed, which was located at Gibeon at the time. David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem and set it up in a special place for worship. Later, his son Solomon built the Temple, where the Ark was ultimately placed. (Chat GPT) 

And David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. 

Burnt Offering: Represents complete surrender and devotion to God.

Peace Offering: Expresses fellowship and communion with God.

• David sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord.

More worship. 

¹⁸ When he had finished his sacrifices, David blessed the people in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 

¹⁹ Then he gave to every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people returned to their homes.

• David ended this time of celebration by giving every Israelite man and woman in the crowd a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins. 

²⁰ When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him.

She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!”

A linen ephod vs. a royal robe.

• Michal completely missed the significance of bringing the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. 

²¹ David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. 

• David’s action were for the delight of the Lord, not for the servant girls. 

²² Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!

But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 

• David and the servant girls had a worldview that was very different than Michal’s worldview. 

 ²³ So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

A punishment for her pride.

• Michal’s childlessness prevented her from providing a successor to David’s throne from the family of Saul.

Introduction:

Proverbs 9:10 NLT
¹⁰ Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NLT
¹² “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. ¹³ And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

Deuteronomy 6:2 NLT
² and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. 

Discuss:

What does “Fear of the Lord” mean?

(reverence, respect, and obedience to God)

The concept of fearing God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

Luke 12:4-5 NLT
⁴ “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. ⁵ But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

2 Samuel 6:1-11 NLT
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 13:1-14)
^6:1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. ² He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. ³ They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart ⁴ that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. ⁵ David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.
⁶ But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. ⁷ Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
⁸ David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today.
⁹ David was now afraid of the Lord, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” ¹⁰ So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. ¹¹ The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 6:1-11 NLT
Moving the Ark to Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 13:1-14)

^6:1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. ² He led them to Baalah of Judah (This is another name for Kiriath-jearim which is located about 10 miles west of Jerusalem.) to bring back the Ark of God,

• David is planning to move the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem, the new capital of Israel.

Background scripture:

1 Samuel 7:1-2 NLT (This is before Saul became king.)
^7:1 So the men of Kiriath-jearim came to get the Ark of the Lord. (Returned by the Philistines.) They took it to the hillside home of Abinadab and ordained Eleazar, his son, to be in charge of it. ² The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them.

1 Chronicles 13:3 NLT (Here David is speaking.)
³ It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”                                                                                                                              

There is almost no mention of the Ark during Saul’s 40 year reign.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NLT
¹³ So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium ¹⁴ instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

• The Ark represented the presence of God.

Exodus 25 NLT (selected verses)
¹⁰ “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. … ¹⁶ When the Ark is finished, place inside it the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you.
… ²¹ Place inside the Ark the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, which I will give to you. Then put the atonement cover on top of the Ark. ²² I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.

The Ark could be seen as the earthly throne of Israel’s God. 

which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 

Psalm 99:1 NLT
¹ The Lord is king!
Let the nations tremble!
He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
Let the whole earth quake! 

Isaiah 6:1-3 NLT
^6:1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. ² Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. ³ They were calling out to each other,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies!
The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Revelation 4:6-11 NLT
⁶ In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. ⁷ The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. ⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
⁹ Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Isaiah 5:16 NLT
¹⁶ But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be exalted by his justice.
The holiness of God will be displayed by his righteousness.

• “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

• We must always fear the Lord our God. 

³ They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. 

Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart ⁴ that carried the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 

• At this point in time, David and his troops were not fearing God. (Is this a true statement?)

Why or why not?

The Ark of God was to be carried by Levites who would bear it on their shoulders, it was not to be transported on a cart.

Even the Priests could not touch the Ark.

Numbers 4:15 NLT
¹⁵ The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.

Exodus 25:14 NLT
¹⁴ Insert the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

Numbers 7:9 NLT
⁹ But he (Moses) gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders. 

⁵ David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 

• All of Israel was celebrating the fact that the Ark was being moved to Jerusalem. 

⁶ But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God.  

• While pulling the cart that was being used to transport the Ark, the oxen stumbled.

• Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 

⁷ Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.  

• The Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead.

So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. 

• Touching the Ark was a direct violation of God’s law.

David should have known this.

1 Samuel 6:19-20 NLT
The Ark Moved to Kiriath-Jearim
¹⁹ But the Lord killed seventy men from Beth-shemesh because they looked into the Ark of the Lord. And the people mourned greatly because of what the Lord had done. ²⁰ “Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?” they cried out. “Where can we send the Ark from here?” 

⁸ David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah.

• David was angry.

Discuss this. 

He named that place Perez-uzzah (which means “to burst out against Uzzah”), as it is still called today. 

⁹ David was now afraid of the Lord,

• David was now afraid of the Lord.

Is this the “Fear of the Lord” we were discussing? 

and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of the Lord back into my care?” ¹⁰ So David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David.

• David decided not to move the Ark of the Lord into the City of David.

The story of the Ark being moved to Jerusalem takes place in the next lesson. 

Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 

Obed-edom was a Levite.

1 Chronicles 16:38 NLT
³⁸ This group included Obed-edom (son of Jeduthun), Hosah, and sixty-eight other Levites as gatekeepers.

¹¹ The Ark of the Lord remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and his entire household.

The Lord Blesses David

David Conquers the Philistines

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

2 Samuel 5:11-25 NLT
The Lord Blesses David in Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 14:1-7)
¹¹ Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. ¹² And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
¹³ After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. ¹⁴ These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶ Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Conquers the Philistines
¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. ¹⁸ The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”
²⁰ So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). ²¹ The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.
²² But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. ²³ And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. ²⁴ When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” ²⁵ So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:11-25 NLT
The Lord Blesses David in Jerusalem (see 1 Chronicles 14:1-7) 

¹¹ Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David,

Tyre: An important Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean coast.

(Tyre is part of Lebanon today)

King Hiram formed an alliance with Israel for trading purposes.

Israel dominated the inland trade routes.

Tyre was dependent on Israelite agriculture for much of its food.

1 Kings 5:1 NLT
^5:1 King Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David.

• King Hiram and King David had a good working relationship. 

along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. 

A palace symbolized kingship.

King Hiram provided:

Cedar timber
Carpenters
Stonemasons

Tyre was dependent on Israelite agriculture for much of its food.

• The King of Tyre helped David build his palace. 

¹² And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel

The same story in 1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 14:1 NLT
^14:1 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace.  ² And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Review a previous occurrence:

2 Samuel 5:1
^5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” 

Over 300,000 men of war.

• David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel. 

A reminder for us.

Philippians 1:6 NLT
⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Romans 8:28 NLT
²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Psalm 46:8-11 NLT (A song of the descendants of Korah)
⁸ Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
⁹ He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
¹¹ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.  

and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 

• God blessed David’s kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

• David understood that God had a plan for His chosen people and he, David, was a part of that plan.

A reminder for us.

 Jeremiah 29:11 NLT (A message to the exiles in Babylon.)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

¹³ After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. ¹⁴ These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶ Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Perhaps this was seen as a reflection of David’s growing success and power as Israel’s king.

1 Chronicles 3:5 NLT
⁵ The sons born to David in Jerusalem included Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. Their mother was Bathsheba, the daughter of Ammiel.

• As time passed David’ dynasty became stronger and stronger.

• One way David’s dynasty became stronger was by David marrying more wives and having more sons. 

• Marrying into neighboring royal families to create political alliances was a common practice in the ancient Near East.

Deuteronomy 17:17 NLT
¹⁷ The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself. 

Review 2 Samuel 3:1-5

David’s Sons Born in Hebron

¹ As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
² These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron:
The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
³ The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.
The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
⁴ The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
⁵ The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.
These sons were all born to David in Hebron.

David Conquers the Philistines 

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him.

These events most likely took place between verses 3 and 6.

Note: During King Ishbosheth the Philistines controlled large sections of Israel.

The Philistines knew that David would be a bigger threat to them if he became the established king of both Israel and Judah. 

But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. 

David stayed in strongholds during the time he was being pursued by Saul.

1 Samuel 22:4 NLT
⁴ So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold.

1 Samuel 23:14 NLT
¹⁴ David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him.

¹⁸ The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  (Northwest of Jerusalem) 

¹⁹ So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

David did the right thing.

• • • Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
      ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
      do not depend on your own understanding.
      ⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
      and he will show you which path to take.

The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.” 

²⁰ So David went to Baal-perazim (location unknown) and defeated the Philistines there. 

“The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” 

So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”).  

• David credits God for his victory over the Philistines.

Ephesians 3:20-21 LT
²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 

²¹ The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.

The Philistines carried images of their deities into battle in hope that this would secure victory.

Israel had done the same thing in the past.

1 Samuel 4:1-3 NLT
¹…At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. ² The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.³ After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it will save us from our enemies.”

The Israelites’ decision to take the Ark into battle was similar to what other pagan nations did with their gods, carting them into battle to hope for better fortune in the outcome.

1 Chronicles 14:12 NLT
¹² The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26 NLT
²⁵ “You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. ²⁶ Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction. 

²² But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim.  

²³ And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. ²⁴ When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.”  

• Again David inquired of the Lord. God responded with very specific instructions.

A reminder for us.

1 John 5:14 NLT
¹⁴ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.

Matthew 7:7 NLT
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 

²⁵ So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer (18 miles NW of Jerusalem). 

 

Psalm 115:1 NLT (Arthur unknown)
¹ Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

Brief review of 1 Samuel 1 through Samuel 2:4

Hannah’s prayer for a son.

Samuel’s birth and dedication.

Israel’s desire for a king.

1 Samuel 8:4-5
⁴ Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. ⁵ “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

God gives Israel a king.

The story of Saul and Ishbosheth.

The nation of Israel is falling apart.  Its leadership is gone, and the nation is on the verge of an escalating civil war.

2 Samuel 3:1 NLT
^3:1 That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

Saul is dead.

Abner and Ishbosheth have been murdered.

We are about to see how God uses David to restore Israel and Judah back into one nation.

2 Samuel 5:1-10 NLT
David Becomes King of All Israel
^5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
³ So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
⁴ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. ⁵ He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
David Captures Jerusalem
⁶ David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. ⁷ But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
⁸ On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites. Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.” That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.”
⁹ So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. ¹⁰ And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:1-10 NLT

David Becomes King of All Israel

This story is also found in 1 Chronicles 11:1-9

^5:1 Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was dead and the northern kingdom (Israel) no longer had a king.

The Northern kingdom is asking David to become their king.

All the tribes of Israel.

In 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 the tribes are listed along with the number of warriors from each of the tribes.

1 Chronicles 12:38 NLT
³⁸ All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king.

They recognize the fact that Judah and Israel come from the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

• The Northern kingdom asked David to become their king. 

² In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” 

David was an Israelite. (Deuteronomy 17:15)*

David was Israel’s best warrior and commander.

The Northern kingdom knew that it was God’s will for David to be their king.

• David was God’s choice to be Israel’s king.

God is sovereign and had a plan for David long before this story began.

• David anointed king by Samuel

1 Samuel 16:1 & 13 NLT
Samuel Anoints David as King
Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

¹³ So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

This anointing in 1 Samuel 16 was a private ceremony.

• David was anointed king by the people of Judah. (His second oil anointing.)

2 Samuel 2:1-7 NLT
David Anointed King of Judah
^2:1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?”
“Yes,” the Lord replied.
Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”
“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
² David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives ³ and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.
When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, ⁵ he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. ⁶ May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. ⁷ Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

Another reminder of God’s sovereignty.

2 Samuel 3:10 NLT
¹⁰ I’m (God is speaking here) going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David. I will establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, all the way from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.” 

³ So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel.

David as well as all of the Elders of Israel took this appointment very seriously.

• King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 NLT

Guidelines for a King
¹⁴ “You are about to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you. When you take it over and settle there, you may think, ‘We should select a king to rule over us like the other nations around us.’ * ¹⁵ If this happens, be sure to select as king the man the Lord your God chooses. You must appoint a fellow Israelite; he may not be a foreigner.
¹⁶ “The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ ¹⁷ The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the Lord. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.
¹⁸ “When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. ¹⁹ He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. ²⁰ This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

And they anointed him king of Israel.

David anointed king here in 2 Samuel 5

In a public ceremony. (A third oil anointing.)

• David is anointed King of Israel in a public ceremony. (A third oil anointing.)

• The 12 tribes were once again unified.

Application for today: (Apply to our current events.)

Romans 13:1 NLT
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Daniel 2:21 & 21 NLT
²⁰“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
²¹ He controls the course of world events;
    he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the scholars.

Proverbs 21:1 NLT
^21:1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
he guides it wherever he pleases. 

• God controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. 

⁴ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. ⁵ He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.

David Captures Jerusalem

This story is also found in 1 Chronicles 11:4-9

• David reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. 

• David decides to relocate the capitol. 

Jerusalem was excellently fortified because of its elevation and the surrounding deep valleys.

Jerusalem had a good water supply, the Gihon Spring.

Jerusalem was close to trade routes. 

⁶ David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there.

The Jebusites were Canaanites still living in the Promised Land.

Joshua 15:63 NLT
⁶³ But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.

The city of Jerusalem had remained under Jebusite control from the time Joshua entered the Promised Land. 

The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 

The Jebusites were overly confident of their security.  They felt that their fortress was so secure that even the blind and lame could keep out David and his men.

⁷ But David captured the fortress of Zion, 

• David captured the fortress of Zion.

which is now called the City of David.

The city had not been completely conquered previously.

⁸ On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites.
Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.”

It appears that David knew of a secret tunnel.

A tunnel that channeled the city’s water supply from the Gihon Spring outside the city walls.

1 Chronicles 11: 6 NLT
David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies. 

That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.” 

David may have begun calling his enemies the blind and the lame. ? ? ? 

⁹ So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. 

Read:

1 Chronicles 11:4-9
David Captures Jerusalem
⁴ Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land, were living. ⁵ The people of Jebus taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
⁶ David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies.
⁷ David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David. ⁸ He extended the city from the supporting terraces to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem. ⁹ And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

Mount Zion and Mount Ophel were consolidated into one entity.

On the border between Judah and the northern territories.

He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward.  

• David extended the city.

¹⁰ And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

God was with David.

 

 

 

The Murder of Ishbosheth

Introduction:

In this lesson the nation of Israel is falling apart.  Its leadership is gone and the nation is on the verge of civil war.

In following lessons, we will see how God uses David to restore Israel and Judah back into one nation.

2 Samuel 4:1-12 NLT
The Murder of Ishbosheth
^4:1 When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all courage, and all Israel became paralyzed with fear. ² Now there were two brothers, Baanah and Recab, who were captains of Ishbosheth’s raiding parties. They were sons of Rimmon, a member of the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Beeroth. The town of Beeroth is now part of Benjamin’s territory ³ because the original people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim, where they still live as foreigners.
⁴ (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.)
⁵ One day Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, went to Ishbosheth’s house around noon as he was taking his midday rest. ⁶ The doorkeeper, who had been sifting wheat, became drowsy and fell asleep. So Recab and Baanah slipped past her. ⁷ They went into the house and found Ishbosheth sleeping on his bed. They struck and killed him and cut off his head. Then, taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan Valley through the night. ⁸ When they arrived at Hebron, they presented Ishbosheth’s head to David. “Look!” they exclaimed to the king. “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you. Today the Lord has given my lord the king revenge on Saul and his entire family!”
⁹ But David said to Recab and Baanah, “The Lord, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness. ¹⁰ Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news. But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! ¹¹ How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?”
¹² So David ordered his young men to kill them, and they did. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron. Then they took Ishbosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 4:1-12 NLT
The Murder of Ishbosheth 

^4:1 When Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, heard about Abner’s death at Hebron, he lost all courage,

Ishbosheth was very much aware of his dependence on Abner.

Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s army, had become a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.

Abner was the one who put Ishbosheth on the throne and was the one whose power held him there.

Abner’s true power was evident in Ishbosheth’s reaction to his death.

Ishbosheth was simply a figurehead.

• Abner had been the source of strength and stability for Israel.

and all Israel became paralyzed with fear. 

A civil war between Israel and Judah was a reality and Israel was now without strong leadership.

• The news of Abner’s death caused all of Israel to become paralyzed with fear.

² Now there were two brothers, Baanah and Recab, who were captains of Ishbosheth’s raiding parties. They were sons of Rimmon, a member of the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Beeroth.

These two Benjamite men were captains of Ishbosheth’s raiding parties.

Baanah and Recab were from the tribe of Benjamin.

Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin.

Even after Saul’s death, the tribe of Benjamin remained faithful to Saul’s house.

• People could mistakenly assume that Baanah and Recab would be loyal to Saul’s family.

This is evidence of friction within the house of Saul. 

The town of Beeroth is now part of Benjamin’s territory ³ because the original people of Beeroth (Gibeonites/Canaanites) fled to Gittaim, where they still live as foreigners.

Beeroth: One of the Gibeonite cities assigned to Benjamin.

Who were the Gibeonites?

These were the people who tricked Joshua into making as treaty with them. (Joshua 9)

Saul did not honor the treaty Joshua had made with the Gibeonites and tried to annihilate them. (2 Samuel 21)

The Gibeonites fled to Gittaim.

Israelites moved into the city of Beeroth, located in Benjamin near Gibeon, after the original citizens had fled to Gittaim.

Don’t you wonder why this is included in the scriptures? 

A story within a story. 

⁴ (Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.) 

Mephibosheth was too young (12 years old) to rule

and

his physical condition made it impossible for him to provide military leadership.

The following may or may not apply.

It most likely influence the people’s thinking.

Leviticus 21:16-21 NLT
¹⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹⁷ “Give the following instructions to Aaron: In all future generations, none of your descendants who has any defect will qualify to offer food to his God. ¹⁸ No one who has a defect qualifies, whether he is blind, lame, disfigured, deformed, ¹⁹ or has a broken foot or arm, ²⁰ or is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or has a defective eye, or skin sores or scabs, or damaged testicles. ²¹ No descendant of Aaron who has a defect may approach the altar to present special gifts to the Lord. Since he has a defect, he may not approach the altar to offer food to his God.

• With the death of Ishbosheth there was no other viable claimant to the throne from the house of Saul. (From the NIV Study Bible)

• Saul’s dynasty was unable to continue-the only other heir was a young child who was crippled. (From the NLT Study Bible)

2 Samuel 9:1 NLT
^9:1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 

³ … “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.”…

See also the comments after verse 7.

Saul’s sons, Jonathan, Ishbosheth (Esh-baal), Abinadab, and Malki-Shua (Malkishua) are dead.

(Saul did have two other sons from one of his concubines Rizpah (3:7 and 21:8-14)) 

⁵ One day Recab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon from Beeroth, went to Ishbosheth’s house around noon as he was taking his midday rest.

2 Samuel 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David.

Since Recab and Baanah were from Benjamin they would appear to be loyal to the family of Saul. 

⁶ The doorkeeper, who had been sifting wheat, became drowsy and fell asleep. So Recab and Baanah slipped past her. ⁷ They went into the house and found Ishbosheth sleeping on his bed. They struck and killed him and cut off his head.

• Recab and Baanah assassinate Ishbosheth.

• Israel now has no king.

Saul’s sons, Jonathan, Ishbosheth (Esh-baal), Abinadab, and Malki-Shua (Malkishua) are dead.

(Saul did have two other sons from one of his concubines Rizpah (3:7 and 21:8-14))

Also, the commander of Israel’s army, Abner, had been murdered. (verse 1)

See also the comments after verse 4. 

Then, taking his head with them, they fled across the Jordan Valley through the night. 

The distance from Mahanaim to Hebron could have been close to 45 miles. ??? 

⁸ When they arrived at Hebron, they presented Ishbosheth’s head to David. “Look!” they exclaimed to the king. “Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of your enemy Saul who tried to kill you.

David did not refer to Saul as his enemy.

David repeatedly referred to Saul as the Lord’s anointed one.

• Recab and Baanah presented Ishbosheth’s head to David.

Today the Lord has given my lord the king revenge on Saul and his entire family!”

• These two men believed that David would welcome this news and reward them for their actions.

⁹ But David said to Recab and Baanah, “The Lord, who saves me from all my enemies, is my witness. ¹⁰ Someone once told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ thinking he was bringing me good news.

But I seized him and killed him at Ziklag. That’s the reward I gave him for his news! ¹¹ How much more should I reward evil men who have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Shouldn’t I hold you responsible for his blood and rid the earth of you?”

Saul was wounded in battle and would have been killed by the enemy.

Ishbosheth’s death was outright murder.

• David saw this as an unjustified assault on a defenseless man.

• David states that these men deserve the death penalty for killing Ishbosheth.

¹² So David ordered his young men to kill them, and they did. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron.

Note David’s inconsistency in his dealings with Ish-bosheth’s murderers and Abner’s murderer (David’s nephew Joab).

Genesis 9:5 NLT
⁵ “And I (God) will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.

This was also a public testimony of David’s innocence in Ishbosheth’s death.

Like in our previous lesson:

David was very careful to let everyone know that Abner’s murder was Joab’s doing and not his.

If it had been David’s doing, he would have lost the support of the northern tribes.

Then they took Ishbosheth’s head and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joab Murders Abner

Introduction:

Joab is an example of an individual following the desires of his sinful nature.

The sinful nature wants to do evil … Galatians 5:17 NLT

Note the destructive forces of sin in this story.

2 Samuel 3:22-39 NLT
Joab Murders Abner
²² But just after David had sent Abner away in safety, Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. ²³ When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety.
²⁴ Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? ²⁵ You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you’re doing!”
²⁶ Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah and brought him back, though David knew nothing about it. ²⁷ When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.
²⁸ When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the Lord that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. ²⁹ Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!”
³⁰ So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.

David Mourns Abner’s Death

³¹ Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave. ³² They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. ³³ Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner:
“Should Abner have died as fools die?
³⁴ Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not chained.
No, you were murdered—
the victim of a wicked plot.”
All the people wept again for Abner. ³⁵ David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.”
³⁶ This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! ³⁷ So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder.
³⁸ Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel? ³⁹ And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control. So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 3:22-39 NLT
Joab Murders Abner 

²² But just after David had sent Abner away in safety,

Previous lesson:

2 Samuel 3:20-21
²⁰ When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast. ²¹ Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.” So David sent Abner safely on his way.

• David was at peace with Abner and now treated him as a friend and ally.

Joab and some of David’s troops returned from a raid, bringing much plunder with them. 

Remember: Joab was the commander of David’s army.

No details of this raid are given.  We do know, however, this is what armies did routinely.

2 Samuel 11:1 NLT
^11:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight ….

1 Chronicles 20:1 NLT
^20:1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, Joab led the Israelite army in successful attacks … 

²³ When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety. 

²⁴ Joab rushed to the king and demanded, “What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? 

• Joab was upset when he found out that David had entertained Abner with a great feast.

2 Samuel 3:20 NLT
²⁰ When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast.

Joab would have viewed Abner as the enemy.

Abner was the rival commander-in-chief.

Joab wanted revenge (verse 27) not reconciliation.

Joab was upset when he found out that David had entertained Abner with a great feast.

In addition to wanting revenge for the death of his brother, Joab appears to be jealous of the attention Abner was getting from David.

(If it wasn’t jealousy, it was one of the sins listed in Galatians 5:19-21.)

Jealousy (sin) is a serious and destructive problem.

James 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Proverbs 14:30 NLT
³⁰ A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

Proverbs 27:4 LT
⁴ Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood,
but jealousy is even more dangerous. 

²⁵ You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you

Many translations say:

came to deceive you

• Joab accused Abner of deception. 

and find out everything you’re doing!”

Joab accused Abner of being a spy.

• Joab tries to discredit Abner in David’s eyes. 

²⁶ Joab then left David and sent messengers to catch up with Abner, asking him to return. They found him at the well of Sirah

Sirah is about 2.5 miles north of Hebron. ???  Precise location of the well is unknown. 

and brought him back,

Joab is being deceptive. 

though David knew nothing about it.  

(This will be addressed in more detail later in this lesson.) 

²⁷ When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately.

• Joab deceived Abner (refer to verse 25). 

But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.

Remember: Joab and Asahel were brothers.

1 Chronicles 2:13-16 NLT
¹³ Jesse’s … seventh was David.
¹⁶ Their sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

Abishai was a part of this plot.

In verse 30 we read:  So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner.

Reasons for Joab to dislike Abner included:

Abner was the rival commander-in-chief,
Abner was highly respected (cf. v. 38).
Abner was a threat to Joab’s career advancement,
Abner had killed his brother, Asahel, in battle (v. 30).

These are all possible reasons for Joab’s jealousy.

Joab was a murderer. His killing of Abner was the result of a blood feud; it was not an act of war. (blood vengeance)

Abner had killed Asahel in the course of battle.

• Joab killed Abner in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.

Romans 12:19 NLT
¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.

Note:  (This may or may not apply here.)

Hebron was a city of refuge

Joshua 21:13 NLT
¹³ The following towns with their pasturelands were given to the descendants of Aaron the priest: Hebron (a city of refuge for those who accidentally killed someone), 

2 Samuel 2:22 NLT
²² Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”

Where such revenge was not permitted. 

²⁸ When David heard about it, he declared, “I vow by the Lord that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. 

• David was very careful to let everyone know that Abner’s murder was Joab’s doing and not his.

If it had been David’s doing, he would have lost the support of the northern tribes. 

²⁹ Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!”

Remember, Joab was a nephew of David.

• David cursed Joab, but at this point in time Joab was not punished for murdering Abner.

³⁰ So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner because Abner had killed their brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon.

David Mourns Abner’s Death

• David cursed Joab (his nephew) and mourns for Abner (a former adversary).

³¹ Then David said to Joab and all those who were with him,

“Tear your clothes and put on burlap. Mourn for Abner.”

• Joab was compelled, by David, to join the mourners. 

And King David himself walked behind the procession to the grave. 

Note: The writer refers to David as “King David”.

David’s public presence in the mourning procession communicated to the public that he respected Abner and had not ordered Abner’s killing.

³² They buried Abner in Hebron,

This was another indication that Abner had shifted his support from Saul to David.

 and the king and all the people wept at his graveside. 

³³ Then the king sang this funeral song for Abner:

“Should Abner have died as fools die?

Abner had been deceived by Joab, an enemy posing as a friend.

³⁴ Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not chained.
No, you were murdered—
the victim of a wicked plot.”

A seasoned warrior became the victim of a wicked plot.

David’s compassion and forgiving spirit toward Abner are evident here, qualities that separated him from most other men.

• David’s funeral song reflected his respect for Abner. 

All the people wept again for Abner. ³⁵ David had refused to eat anything on the day of the funeral, and now everyone begged him to eat. But David had made a vow, saying, “May God strike me and even kill me if I eat anything before sundown.” 

³⁶ This pleased the people very much. In fact, everything the king did pleased them! ³⁷ So everyone in Judah and all Israel understood that David was not responsible for Abner’s murder. 

• Judah and Israel were gradually coming back together, 

³⁸ Then King David said to his officials, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel? 

Here again David shows high respect for Abner. 

³⁹ And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control.

• David admits that Joab and Abishai are too strong for his to control.

We know from previous lessons that in the northern kingdom Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s army, was more powerful than Ishbosheth the king.

In the same way, David, the king of Judah, had, at times, difficulty controlling Joab, the commander of his army.

Joab was a brave, competent, and skilled military leader.
Joab won many key battles for David.
Joab was able to influence David’s decisions.
At times Joab acted in his own interest.
At times Joab disregarded David’s orders.
At times Juab’s actions were ruthless.
At times David was unable to control Joab. 

So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.”

Even though David felt that he could not control Joab, he had faith that God would repay Joab for killing Abner. 

Note:

Joab is still in the picture when David is on his deathbed.

David’s final instructions to Solomon.

1 Kings 2:5-6 NLT
⁵ “And there is something else. You know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me when he murdered my two army commanders, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether. He pretended that it was an act of war, but it was done in a time of peace, staining his belt and sandals with innocent blood. ⁶ Do with him what you think best, but don’t let him grow old and go to his grave in peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abner Joins Forces with David

Previous lesson:

A disastrous civil war. (A war between citizens of the same country.)

Abner was the commander of Ishbosheth’s army.

Joab was the commander of David’s army.

David’s real rival in the North was Abner, not Ishbosheth.

Abner knew David from the time David had killed Goliath.

Abner knew Joab, Abishai, and Asahel well.

We ended our previous lesson with both armies calling for a truce and going back to their hometowns.

Today’s lesson.

Abner Joins Forces with David (Remember, Abner was the commander of Ishbosheth’s army.)

2 Samuel 3:1-21 NLT
^3:1 That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.
David’s Sons Born in Hebron
² These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron:
The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
³ The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.
The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
⁴ The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
⁵ The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.
These sons were all born to David in Hebron.
Abner Joins Forces with David
⁶ As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul. ⁷ One day Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, a woman named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah.
⁸ Abner was furious. “Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this?” he shouted. “After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward—that you find fault with me about this woman? ⁹ May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t do everything I can to help David get what the Lord has promised him! ¹⁰ I’m going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David. I will establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, all the way from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.” ¹¹ Ishbosheth didn’t dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abner might do.
¹² Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.”
¹³ “All right,” David replied, “but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come.”
¹⁴ David then sent this message to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of 100 Philistines.”
¹⁵ So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband, Palti son of Laish. ¹⁶ Palti followed along behind her as far as Bahurim, weeping as he went. Then Abner told him, “Go back home!” So Palti returned.¹⁷ Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make David your king. ¹⁸ Now is the time! For the Lord has said, ‘I have chosen David to save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’” ¹⁹ Abner also spoke with the men of Benjamin. Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all the people of Israel and Benjamin had agreed to support him.
²⁰ When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast. ²¹ Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.” So David sent Abner safely on his way.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 3:1-21 NLT

^3:1 That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David.

• A long war began between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David.

The truce called by Joab and Abner was short-lived.

2 Samuel 2:26-28 NLT
²⁶ Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”
²⁷ Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.” ²⁸ So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.

The civil war occurred during the time David was the ruler of Judah (This civil war lasted between 2-7 years).

The supporters of Saul’s family wanted to limit David’s reign to Judah.

Those of David’s dynasty were convinced that it was time for David to become the ruler of the entire nation of Israel. 

As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

• As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

• One way David’s dynasty became stronger was by David marrying more wives and having more sons.

David’s Sons Born in Hebron

² These are the sons who were born to David in Hebron:
The oldest was Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam from Jezreel.
³ The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.

Daniel is Kilead in Hebrew.

Chileab is the name used in many translations. 

The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.

Geshur is a small Canaanite Kingdom located east of the Jordan River, north of the Sea of Galilee.

Talmai, king of Geshur, would be an ally to David on Ishbosheth’ northern border.

Marrying into neighboring royal families to create political alliances was a common practice in the ancient Near East.

Solomon carried out this practice and it led to his downfall.

• Marrying into neighboring royal families to create political alliances was a common practice in the ancient Near East.

⁴ The fourth was Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith.
The fifth was Shephatiah, whose mother was Abital.
⁵ The sixth was Ithream, whose mother was Eglah, David’s wife.
These sons were all born to David in Hebron.

More about these sons in future lessons.

Abner Joins Forces with David

⁶ As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul. 

Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s army, became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul.

Abner was the one who put Ishbosheth on the throne and whose power held him there.

Ishbosheth was simply a figurehead.

• As time passed Abner began to make his own move to take the throne.

See verse 10:
I’m going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David.

⁷ One day Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, a woman named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah.

• Conflict breaks out between Ishbosheth and Abner. (This won’t be good for Ishbosheth.)

Great significance was attached to taking the concubine of a former king.

It is unclear whether Abner actually did so.

Taking a king’s wife or concubine was often a usurper’s attempt to replace the king.

Going in to the king’s concubine was a statement of power and rightful claim to the throne.

If a royal concubine had a son, this son, according to custom, could become king one day.

This could be considered an act of treason (attempting to overthrow the government).

This happened with ten of David’s concubines and David’s son Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:21 NLT Ahithophel Advises Absalom
²¹ Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.”

• Going in to the king’s concubine was a statement of power and rightful claim to the throne.

⁸ Abner was furious. “Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this?” he shouted. “After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward—that you find fault with me about this woman? 

Abner was furious with Ishbosheth.

Remember, Abner had control over the life and death of Saul’s son.

• Abner was furious with Ishbosheth. 

⁹ May God strike me and even kill me if I don’t do everything I can to help David get what the Lord has promised him! 

• It is clear that Abner had “political” ambitions. He wasn’t about to let Ishbosheth get in his way.

• Abner was aware of God’s plan for David.

If Abner was aware of God’s plans for David, then many other people throughout Israel also must have known it.

1 Samuel 13:13-14 NLT
¹³ “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed (to Saul). “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

• Abner was committing himself to help David become the King of all of Israel. 

¹⁰ I’m going to take Saul’s kingdom and give it to David. I will establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah, all the way from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.” 

Abner was a very powerful man.  (As stated before, Abner was the real power in the Northern kingdom.)

Abner was committing to help establish the throne of David over Israel as well as Judah.

This sounds like God’s plan for David. 

¹¹ Ishbosheth didn’t dare say another word because he was afraid of what Abner might do.

Ishbosheth knew that Abner was the real power behind the throne.

Ishbosheth did not dare go against Abner’s wishes. 

¹² Then Abner sent messengers to David, saying, “Doesn’t the entire land belong to you? Make a solemn pact with me, and I will help turn over all of Israel to you.”

Being aware of God’s plan for David, Abner was setting himself up for a leadership position in David’s kingdom.

• Abner wants assurance that he will not face reprisals for his past loyalty to the house of Saul.

Abner wanted to be on the winning side and to be honored as the one who brought all the people under David’s rule. 

¹³ “All right,” David replied, “but I will not negotiate with you unless you bring back my wife Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come.”

David demanded that Abner restore, as a sign of his good faith, his long-separated wife, Michal to him.

¹⁴ David then sent this message to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son: “Give me back my wife Michal, for I bought her with the lives of 100 Philistines.”

• David felt that Michal legally belonged to him since he had paid the “bride price” for her.

• David wanted Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, not Abner to give Michal back to David. This would make the act more official.

• Also, in the minds of the people (the northern elders), the reunion of David and Michal would strengthen David’s claim to the throne as a legitimate son-in-law of Saul. 

¹⁵ So Ishbosheth took Michal away from her husband, Palti son of Laish. ¹⁶ Palti followed along behind her as far as Bahurim, weeping as he went. Then Abner told him, “Go back home!” So Palti returned. 

¹⁷ Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. “For some time now,” he told them, “you have wanted to make David your king. 

More political maneuvers on the part of Abner.

• Apparently, the elders of Israel had begun supporting the idea of making David king over Israel.

(There has been no mention of this support up to this time.)

¹⁸ Now is the time! For the Lord has said, ‘I have chosen David to save my people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.’” 

By this time, it appears that Samuel’s anointing of David had become common knowledge.

Saul had failed to save the Israelites from the Philistines.

1 Samuel 9:16 NLT
¹⁶ “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.”

• Abner was actively advocating the idea of David becoming the rightful king over all of Israel. 

¹⁹ Abner also spoke with the men of Benjamin.

The men of Benjamin, men from Saul’s own tribe, would have been Ishbosheth’s primary supporters.

• Abner persuaded the men of Benjamin that the rule of David over them was in their best interest. 

Then he went to Hebron to tell David that all the people of Israel and Benjamin had agreed to support him. 

²⁰ When Abner and twenty of his men came to Hebron, David entertained them with a great feast.

• David was at peace with Abner and now treated him as a friend and ally.

Remember: Abner and David knew each other from the time David had killed Goliath.

 ²¹ Then Abner said to David, “Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires.”

This covenant would unite the north and south with David as their king.

So David sent Abner safely on his way.

War between Israel and Judah

Introduction:

A disastrous civil war.

2 Samuel 2:12-32 NLT
¹² One day Abner led Ishbosheth’s troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon. ¹³ About the same time, Joab son of Zeruiah led David’s troops out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.
¹⁴ Then Abner suggested to Joab, “Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us.”
“All right,” Joab agreed. ¹⁵ So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David. ¹⁶ Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords.
¹⁷ A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

The Death of Asahel
¹⁸ Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—the three sons of Zeruiah—were among David’s forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle, ¹⁹ and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything. ²⁰ When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?”
“Yes, it is,” he replied.
²¹ “Go fight someone else!” Abner warned. “Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner.
²² Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”
²³ But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel’s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there.
²⁴ When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. ²⁵ Abner’s troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand.
²⁶ Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”
²⁷ Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.” ²⁸ So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.
²⁹ All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.
³⁰ Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only 19 men were missing in addition to Asahel. ³¹ But 360 of Abner’s men had been killed, all from the tribe of Benjamin. ³² Joab and his men took Asahel’s body to Bethlehem and buried him there in his father’s tomb. Then they traveled all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 2:12-32 NLT
War between Israel and Judah (Civil war) 

¹² One day Abner led Ishbosheth’s troops from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 

Refer to map 

Abner had been the commander of Saul’s army.

Abner had proclaimed Ishbosheth king over the northern portion of Israel.

Abner was now the commander of Ishbosheth’s army.

David’s real rival in the North was Abner, not Ishbosheth.

Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years.

2 Samuel 2:8-10 NLT
⁸ But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul’s son Ishbosheth. ⁹ There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.
¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David.

• Abner was the commander of Ishbosheth’s army.

• David’s real rival in the North was Abner, not Ishbosheth. 

¹³ About the same time, Joab son of Zeruiah

Here Joab, son of Zeruiah, is introduced into this story for the first time.

Zeruiah was David’s sister, so Joab was David’s nephew.

1 Chronicles 2:13-16 NLT
¹³ Jesse’s … seventh was David.
¹⁶ Their sisters were named Zeruiah and Abigail. Zeruiah had three sons named Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.

Joab is the commander of David’s army. (2 Samuel 8:16)

Joab was a competent but ruthless military leader.

At times David was unable to control Joab.

We will learn more about Joab in future lessons.

• Joab was the commander of David’s army. 

(Joab son of Zeruiah) led David’s troops out and met them at the pool of Gibeon.

Gibeon

Located in the tribal area of Benjamin.

A key city in Benjamin.

Saul and his family were members of the tribe of Benjamin.

The Philistines did not occupy Gibeon.

The pool of Gibeon.

37 feet in diameter. 35 feet deep.  This cylindrical cutting had a circular staircase that led to a stepped tunnel that continued downward another 45 feet below the pool’s floor to a water chamber.

The two groups sat down there, facing each other from opposite sides of the pool.

The two sides were talking.

• The two armies met at Gibeon to determine who would be Israel’s leader. 

¹⁴ Then Abner suggested to Joab, “Let’s have a few of our warriors fight hand to hand here in front of us.”

A custom often referred to as champion warfare.

A contest of champions.

Example:
1 Samuel 17:8-9 NLT
⁸ Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! ⁹ If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! 

• Abner suggested a “contest of champions” to determine who would control the nation. 

“All right,” Joab agreed. ¹⁵ So twelve men were chosen to fight from each side—twelve men of Benjamin representing Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve representing David. 

The talks led to fighting.

¹⁶ Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other’s side so that all of them died. So this place at Gibeon has been known ever since as the Field of Swords.

In theory this may have been a good idea, but in this case it did not work and nothing was resolved. 

¹⁷ A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

The fighting led to battle.

A full scaled battle took place.

The casualty count of this battle is recorded in verses 30 and 31.

• A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David.

The Death of Asahel 

¹⁸ Joab, Abishai, and Asahel—the three sons of Zeruiah—

Zeruiah was David’s sister.

Her three sons were David’s nephews. (we’re talking family)

were among David’s forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle, 

Asahel was one of David’s thirty mighty warriors.  (2 Samuel 23:24 and 1 Chronicles 11:26). 

(Asahel could run like a gazelle,) ¹⁹ and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything. ²⁰ When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, “Is that you, Asahel?”

• Abner knew Joab, Abishai, and Asahel well.

Abner met David after David killed Goliath.

Go back to 1 Samuel:

1 Samuel 17:55-57 NLT
⁵⁵ As Saul watched David go out to fight the Philistine, he asked Abner, the commander of his army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?”
“I really don’t know,” Abner declared.
⁵⁶ “Well, find out who he is!” the king told him.
⁵⁷ As soon as David returned from killing Goliath, Abner brought him to Saul with the Philistine’s head still in his hand.

• Abner knew David from the time David had killed Goliath.

“Yes, it is,” he replied. 

²¹ “Go fight someone else!” Abner warned. “Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner.

Obviously Abner was an experienced warrior.

• Abner did not want to kill Asahel. 

²² Again Abner shouted to him, “Get away from here! I don’t want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?”

Abner knew that if he killed Asahel, the hostility between him and Joab would be intensified.

David’s forces would seek revenge.

A civil war could destroy the nation. 

²³ But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel’s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there. 

²⁴ When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner.  (This was predictable.)

• After Asahel was killed by Abner, Joab and Abishai, the two brothers of Asahel, wanting to revenge the death of their brother set out after Abner. 

The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. ²⁵ Abner’s troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand.

If another battle took place, it would lead to more killing.

²⁶ Abner shouted down to Joab, “Must we always be killing each other? Don’t you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?”

• Abner realized the awful consequences of a civil war.

²⁷ Then Joab said, “God only knows what would have happened if you hadn’t spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary.” 

• Joab honored Abner’s appeal, thus preventing more soldiers being killed.

²⁸ So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.

Bringing this battle to an end.

• This battle was ended, but the hostility continued.

2 Samuel 3:1 NLT
^3:1 That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul’s dynasty became weaker and weaker.

²⁹ All that night Abner and his men retreated through the Jordan Valley. They crossed the Jordan River, traveling all through the morning, and didn’t stop until they arrived at Mahanaim.

³⁰ Meanwhile, Joab and his men also returned home. (Hebron)

• Abner and his men returned to Mahanaim. Joab and his men also returned to their homes in Judah.

When Joab counted his casualties, he discovered that only 19 men were missing in addition to Asahel.  (19 + 1 = 20) ³¹ But 360 of Abner’s men had been killed, all from the tribe of Benjamin. ³² Joab and his men took Asahel’s body to Bethlehem and buried him there in his father’s tomb. Then they traveled all night and reached Hebron at daybreak.

David lost 20 soldiers.  Abner lost 360 soldiers.

David Anointed King of Judah

Introduction:

Name the first three kings of Israel.

Details are important.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
¹⁵ Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

Acts 17:11 NLT
¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Joshua 1:8 NLT
⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

The first three kings of Israel: Saul, Ishbosheth, and David.

2 Samuel 2:1-11 NLT
David Anointed King of Judah
^2:1 After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?”
“Yes,” the Lord replied.
Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”
“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
² David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. So David and his wives ³ and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. ⁴ Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.
When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, ⁵ he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. ⁶ May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. ⁷ Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

Ishbosheth Proclaimed King of Israel
⁸ But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul’s son Ishbosheth.  ⁹ There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.
¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years. Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David. ¹¹ David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

Examine the Scriptures

2 Samuel 2:1-11 NLT
David Anointed King of Judah

^2:1 After this, David asked the Lord, 

David’s home base of Ziklag has been burned to the ground by the Amalekites.

Saul is no longer pursuing David.

David and his men were no longer fugitives.

• Before making the decision to move back to Judah, David sought the Lord’s guidance. 

“Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?”

David was from the tribe of Judah

• David had many friends and contacts in Judah.

1 Samuel 30:26-31 NLT
²⁶ When he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends. “Here is a present for you, taken from the Lord’s enemies,” he said.
²⁷ The gifts were sent to the people of the following towns David had visited: Bethel, Ramoth-negev, Jattir, ²⁸ Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, ²⁹ Racal, the towns of the Jerahmeelites, the towns of the Kenites, ³⁰ Hormah, Bor-ashan, Athach, ³¹ Hebron, and all the other places David and his men had visited. 

“Yes,” the Lord replied.

Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”

David wanted a specific answer.

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

Hebron was an old, established, and important city in southern Judah.

Hebron was centrally located in Judah.

Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob were all buried in the cave of Machpelah purchased by Abraham which is located in Hebron.

The people of the area were sympathetic toward David. 

² David’s two wives were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel.

Michal had been given to another man after David fled from Saul. (1 Samuel 25:44)

So David and his wives ³ and his men and their families all moved to Judah, and they settled in the villages near Hebron. 

• The Lord told David to move to the town of Hebron which was located in the center of Judah. 

⁴ Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah.

Rather than seeking a relative of Saul who was from the tribe of Benjamin, the people of Judah chose one of their own, the hero David, to be their king.

Previously, God had chosen David to be the king.

1 Samuel 16 NLT
Samuel Anoints David as King
^16:1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”
¹⁰ … all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” ¹¹ Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
¹² So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.
And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
¹³ So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. ….

David’s anointing by Samuel was done privately in the presence of David’s family.

This anointing was a public ceremony.

• David was formally installed by oil-anointing as King over Judah.

Later, in 2 Samuel 5:3, David will be anointed a third time as king over the entire nation of Israel.

• This move completely alienated David from the Philistines with whom he had previously taken refuge and made an alliance.

Most likely the tribe of Simeon was involved in this ceremony.

These two tribes had a history of working together.

Joshua 19:1 NLT
^19:1 The second allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Simeon. Their homeland was surrounded by Judah’s territory.

Judges 1:3 NLT
³ The men of Judah said to their relatives from the tribe of Simeon, “Join with us to fight against the Canaanites living in the territory allotted to us. Then we will help you conquer your territory.” So the men of Simeon went with Judah. 

When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, ⁵ he sent them this message: “May the Lord bless you for being so loyal to your master Saul and giving him a decent burial. ⁶ May the Lord be loyal to you in return and reward you with his unfailing love! And I, too, will reward you for what you have done. 

• David is moved by the men of Jabesh’s loyalty to Saul and wants to reward them for what they have done.

⁷ Now that Saul is dead, I ask you to be my strong and loyal subjects like the people of Judah, who have anointed me as their new king.”

• David asks the men of Jabesh-gilead to be his strong and loyal subjects.

David is presenting himself as Saul’s successor and wants to be their king.

This appeal for their support was ignored.

Ishbosheth Proclaimed King of Israel

⁸ But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army (and Saul’s cousin), had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul’s son Ishbosheth (or Esh-baal).

Mahanaim was located east of the Jordan River. (Refer to a map)

Mahanaim was named by Jacob.

Genesis 32:1-2 NLT
^32:1 As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. ² When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.

• Mahanaim was beyond the sphere of Philistine domination. 

 ⁹ There he (Abner) proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel.

Abner is attempting to continue Saul’s kingdom. He was not willing to follow the Lord’s anointed king.

Abner appears to be the power behind the throne.

Refer to the Twelve Tribes of Israel map.

• Abner proclaimed Ishbosheth king over the northern tribes.

• Note: At this point in time the Philistines controlled large sections of Israel.

1 Samuel 31:7 NLT
When the Israelites on the other side of the Jezreel Valley and beyond the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns. 

The Philistines had slaughtered many of the soldiers of Israel on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31 NLT
^31:1 Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. 

The Philistine army was clearly superior to the Israeli army at this time.

Ishbosheth did not appear to have much support from the people of Israel and his reign was quite limited. 

¹⁰ Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he became king, and he ruled from Mahanaim for two years.

Ishbosheth’s two year reign and David’s seven and a half years don’t seem to reconcile.

It appears that David was made king over all of Israel shortly after Ishbosheth’s death (2 Samuel 4 and 5).

It took Ishbosheth a number of years to be recognized as his father’s successor.

Apparently a period of 5 years occurred in which the Northern tribes were without a king.

The presence of the Philistines may have played a role in preventing Ishbosheth from gaining control of this northern territory.

• Ishbosheth ruled from Mahanaim for two years. 

Meanwhile, the people of Judah remained loyal to David. 

¹¹ David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years.

During this period of time the twelve tribes had two kings.

• Note: God’s plan was for David to be the king of Israel. (1 Samuel 16:1)