2 Samuel 3

2 Samuel 3:1

CIVIL WAR CONTINUESChapter 3 continues the account of the long civil war that weakened the nation. Gradually David gained in strength. Abner, after a falling-out with Ish-bosheth, deserted to David. Joab, David’s captain, suspected Abner and, seeking revenge for his brother Asahel’s death, murdered him. The condition of the land is one of internal strife. There is civil war. The nation’s energies are being depleted, and their resources are being exhausted. David has been in Hebron for seven and one-half years.

2 Samuel 3:2

You can see that David had more than two wives. He had others, and this will cause a great problem for David. God did not approve, and David did not get by with this. Among the list of David’s sons is one by the name of Absalom. I am sure you are familiar with his story. Later on we will see him lead a rebellion against David.

This is the son that David apparently wanted to follow him as king, but he was brutally killed by Joab in battle. It broke David’s heart when he was slain. Who is the mother of Absalom? Maacah who was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Who was the king of Geshur? If you go back to 1Sa_27:8, you will find that David and his men invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites.

I believe David was wrong in doing this. He slew these people, including the king of Geshur, and apparently took his daughter captive. She eventually became his wife. They had a son, and it was this young man who led the rebellion against David. My friend, God saw to it that David did not get away with his sin. It is important for us to note this.

2 Samuel 3:7

ABNER JOINS WITH DAVIDThis chapter tells us about a long period of civil war that in many ways is uninteresting as far as you and I are concerned. Abner, who had been the chief captain of Saul’s army, had pushed Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, onto the throne. Being an older man who had had such a high position, he was not apt to listen to the young king. He did something he should not have done. It was the exclusive right of the man who was the successor to the throne to cohabit with the deceased king’s concubines. Abner infringed on the rights of Ish-bosheth and became angry when the king rebuked him for taking Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines, into his own harem. Candidly, the young king was justified in rebuking Abner, but Abner became so enraged that he immediately began to make overtures to David.

2 Samuel 3:9

In other words, Abner made known his intention of abandoning the house of Saul and allying himself with David. He was going to help David become king over the twelve tribes. Now Ish-bosheth did not say a word to Abner. He was a son of Saul, but he had no army and no training whatsoever. He was not a warrior like his brother Jonathan. He had been brought up in the king’s palace. And he feared Abner.

2 Samuel 3:12

David told Abner he could come only if he brought Saul’s daughter, Michal, with him. You remember that Michal was David’s first wife. Saul had taken her away from David. Believe me, David had a checkered career. This is the reason he sufferedhe let sin enter his life. But above it all was a faith in God that never failed. He wanted more than all else to have a wonderful relationship with God.

2 Samuel 3:15

Abner’s overture was accepted by David. We will find now that David will become king of all twelve tribes because of Abner’s treachery.

2 Samuel 3:27

JOAB MURDERS ABNERAll of this time Joab has not forgotten that Abner had slain his brother. So Joab avenged his brother’s death. When David heard that Joab had murdered Abner, he did not approve of it at all. In fact, he accused Joab of doing a very terrible thing. Concerning Abner’s death he said a very interesting thing.

2 Samuel 3:33

Why did David say that? It certainly is a strange epitaph to give a person. Abner was in Hebron. Hebron was one of the cities of refuge where a murderer was safe. In that city Joab could not have touched him. But Joab quietly took Abner aside and said to him, “Come out here. I want to talk with you. You are the captain on one side, and I am the captain on the other side. It would be nice if we could get together.” So Abner stepped outside the city of refuge, and Joab killed him. That is why David said Abner died as a fool dies. He was a fool to leave Hebron. Isn’t that a message for us today? There is a refuge for every sinner in Christ. Regardless of how high a man’s IQ is or what his position in life might be, if he is outside the place of refuge, he is lost. If the truth were told at many funerals today, the preachers would have to say about the departed person, “A fool has just died. He would not turn to Jesus Christ who is the place of refuge.” Are you resting in Christ?