2 Samuel 2

CHAPTERS 2 AND 3THEME: David made king over JudahDavid, by God’s direction, goes up to Hebron where he is made king over the tribe of Judah. Abner, the captain of Saul’s army, makes Saul’s son Ish-bosheth the king over the other eleven tribes of Israel. Civil war ensues.

2 Samuel 2:1

“After this” refers to the time after the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and the period of mourning for them. Now that Saul is out of the picture, David wants to know what to do. He asks the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” Why did he ask that question? He is in Philistine country. Saul is dead, and David is to be the next king. What should his next move be? He waited until he received his instructions from the Lord. David had learned that he must wait on the Lord for direction. God told him to go up to Hebron. Hebron is located in the south of the land, not too far from the Philistine border. God is telling him to move cautiously. He is not to go up and arbitrarily take over Israel, but to move up into the land to make himself available.

2 Samuel 2:2

When David headed for Hebron, he took with him the two women who were his wives at this time. Perhaps you are asking, “Does God approve of a man having two wives?” No. This matter will cause David a great deal of troubleand later he will have other wives.

2 Samuel 2:3

David’s loyal followers came with him and settled their families in the cities of Hebron.

2 Samuel 2:4

Now that David has made himself available, the men of his own tribe come to anoint him king over Judah.

2 Samuel 2:5

David does a very wise thing. The men who buried Saul were devoted to him, and now David thanks them for it. David has a great respect for the anointed of the Lordhe had two opportunities to slay him and make himself king, but he did not do it. David’s good points are often passed over, because his sin seems to obscure them. It is like a cloud that covers the sky and shuts out the sunshine of his life. In many respects David was a wonderful man. Afterward he paid for his great sin every day of his life. David complimented the men of Jabesh-gilead.

2 Samuel 2:6

Then he asked for their support and devotion to him as king, even as they had given it to Saul. Notice that he is moving in a diplomatic and commendable manner at this time. We should recognize the fact that both Saul and Jonathan had sons, and one of them would have been the normal one to come to the throne had not God intervened. Abner, who had been captain of Saul’s hosts, moved immediately to make one of them king. Notice what he did.

2 Samuel 2:8

Here is the beginning of the division of the kingdom which will come after the reign of Solomon when Jeroboam leads a rebellion. This is the first fracture. At first David is made king over the southern kingdom of Judah, but the northern tribes make Ish-bosheth, a son of Saul, their king.

2 Samuel 2:10

This was an interval of civil war: war between the northern kingdom and David’s kingdom, Judah, in the south. It depleted the resources and energy of the nation. It was indeed a tragic thing.

2 Samuel 2:12

Abner and Joab were attempting to negotiate a solution to prevent civil war. But as you well know (and certainly we in this country ought to know by now), when you have folk on one side who are determined on one course and people on the other side who are determined on another course, negotiation is practically valueless. It is generally an exercise in futility, and that is what happens here.

2 Samuel 2:14

Abner said, “Let the young men come together in battle.” Joab agreed. This was the way they were going to settle the issue.

2 Samuel 2:17

David is a veteran of many campaigns now. He is not the innocent little shepherd we met at first. He has spent time hiding in the caves and dens of the earth, and he has collected men of war around him. He is rugged and adept at this type of warfare. So his men are able to win a victory over Abner and his “host,” an army of superior numbers. Now I want to call your attention to something that took place which will play a prominent part later on. Abner was followed by Asahel. Asahel was a brother of Joab, who was David’s captain. Abner was Saul’s captain.

2 Samuel 2:18

Zeruriah, by the way, was a sister of David. She had three outstanding sons.

2 Samuel 2:19

Asahel took out after Abner. He is not a match for him at all, and Abner warns him.

2 Samuel 2:22

Abner warned him to stop his pursuit. Asahel refused, and finally Abner turned around and drove a spear through him. Abner killed the brother of Joab. That means that in Joab’s heart there will be bitterness, hatred, and the desire to get revenge. His revenge will come later, as we shall see.

2 Samuel 2:32

Asahel’s funeral closes this chapter. After the funeral Joab and his men “went all night” and came to Hebron at the break of day. They reported to David all that had taken place.