In the rest of chapter 3 the author told us how that happened. First, David had 7 sons born to him in Hebron v.2-5. On the other side, Saul's general, Abner, was becoming more influential v.6. Then he was in disagreement with Saul's son v.6-11. Eventually he went over to David and promised him that he would rule over all Israel v.12-21.
In his message to David, Abner was able to promise to "cause all Israel to turn to you v.12." Abner was influential not only because he was the general, but also his diplomatic power.
3:19 Then Abner spoke privately with the Benjaminites.
Therefore, there was no doubt that Abner was able to transfer the kingdom over to David.
(3) Abner's tragic death
Reflection: David did not take things in his own hand and tried to become the king over Israel even though he was anointed by Samuel many years ago. He did not kill Saul when he had a chance because Saul was also the anointed king by God. He was not pleased for Joab to Abner during peacetime. Do we trust God and let God be in control? Or we are anxious because we are not in control over everything?
Even though the deal with Abner was over, what David did pleased the people and the hearts of the people turned to David. On one hand, can we trust God and His timing? On the other hand, do we have good works out of our faith that can bring glory to our Father in Heaven?
B:
On one hand this passage is about the power shift from the house of David to the house of Saul. On the other hand, the power shift also involves women.
1. The power shift was according to the plan of God, but it was stimulated by Abner. The arrangement between Ish bosheth and Abner was very unstable, and brought to the surface now.
v.1b David was becoming steadily stronger, while the house of Saul was becoming increasingly weaker.
2 Now sons were born to David in Hebron.
v.6b Abner was becoming more influential in the house of Saul. (NET) Abner was overstepping the bounds of political propriety in a self-serving way
v.9 God will severely judge Abner if I do not do for David exactly what the LORD has promised him, 10 namely, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and over Judah all the way from Dan to Beer Sheba!”
v.12b Make an agreement with me, and I will do whatever I can to cause all Israel to turn to you.”
v.21b Then you will rule over all that you desire.”
R: Things that was not according to God's will will have its weakness. Once the time ripes it will crumble down. If we want our church or our ministries to not crumble down, we need to do it according to God's will.
2. The women:
A. 6 sons of David was born to 6 women of David v.2-5. David took 4 more wives after he moved to Hebron. Scriptures did not comment anything here, but he committed polygamy and caused himself great deal of pains in later days. (At least one of the wives was a princess and that was probably a diplomatic move of David).
B. Rizpah daughter of Aiah-A concubine of Saul brought up between Ish bosheth and Abner. And from there, Abner decided to give the kingdom to David.
(NET) This accusation against Abner is a very serious one, since an act of sexual infringement on the king’s harem would probably have been understood as a blatant declaration of aspirations to kingship. As such it was not merely a matter of ethical impropriety but an act of grave political significance as well.
C. Michal-Saul's daughter. When Abner offered David to be the king, he did not accept his offer right the way. He added a condition to make agreement with Abner.
13 So David said, “Good! I will make an agreement with you. I ask only one thing from you. You will not see my face unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to visit me.”
And the weird thing was Abner followed with the help of Ish bosheth.
v.15 So Ish bosheth took her from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.
(EBC) When speaking to Abner he refers to Michal as “daughter of Saul” (v.13), thus reminding Abner that if he agrees to bring her with him he has turned his back on Ish-Bosheth for good and has assented to David’s succession to Saul’s throne
(EBC) When speaking to Ish-Bosheth, however, David calls Michal “my wife” (v.14), thus reminding Ish-Bosheth that she is David’s wife, not Paltiel’s, and that the responsibility for her being now with Paltiel is Ish-Bosheth’s, since he is the son and heir of Saul (Ish-Bosheth is mentioned several times in ch. 3, but only in v.14 is he called “son of Saul”), who wrongfully gave her to Paltiel in the first place (1 Sam 25:44).
Women have great significant in history. Relationship with Rizpah signified the aspirations to kingship. The return of Michal signified the admittance of mistake by the family of Saul. Of course, the multiplication of wives signified David's past, present and future sins. However, none of the women in this passage was in the position of steering these events. Men used them for their own proposes.
R: David was deeply wounded by Saul when Saul took Michal from him (1 Samuel 25:44). However, all these years, David did not killed nor revenged to Saul. Even though it was wrong for David to have multiple wives, Saul did actually wrong towards David. David waited until now to get back what his wife and he finally got her. The shift of power from the house of Saul back to David was finished.
v.22-39
B:
1. What made Joab stronger than David v.22, 39?
22a Now David’s soldiers and Joab were coming back from a raid, bringing a great deal of plunder with them...
2. Why David said he had done evil thing v.39?
A. He was not happy that David's agreement with Abner was a done deal
v.22b Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, for David had sent him away and he had left in peace.
v.23b Joab was told: “Abner the son of Ner came to the king; he sent him away, and he left in peace!”
B. He went straight the king and told him that he was wrong and accused him, note the "surely...then...left"
v.25b Surely he came here to spy on you...26 Then Joab left David and sent messengers after Abner.
C. His heart was not on how evil Aber was towards David, but how he had killed his own brother. He wanted revenge.
v.27b avenging the shed blood of his brother Asahel
v.30 30 So Joab and his brother Abishai killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel in Gibeon during the battle.
2. David did not give up justice even though he was weaker than Joab and his brother. He put his trust in the LORD, whom will punish appropriately
31 David instructed Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes. Put on sackcloth. Lament before Abner!”
v.34b You fell the way one falls before criminals.”
v.39 39 Today I am weak, even though I am anointed as king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too much for me to bear! May the LORD punish appropriately the one who has done this evil thing!”
3. Although the curse and justice done by the LORD were in the future, but the immediate effect of this event was the favor of all the people towards David.
36 All the people noticed this and it pleased them. In fact, everything the king did pleased all the people. 37 All the people and all Israel realized on that day that the killing of Abner son of Ner was not done at the king’s instigation.
R:
Do not give up hope on God and trust Him when we seems to be the underdog. God is justice and He would not turn a blind eye on those who are proud, powerful, controlling, and evil. David did not know the evil scheme and let Joab killed Abner, and therefore it was too late when he found out, but God will not let anything unnoticed. Plus, David was loved by all people, and later became the king of whole Israel even without Aber's help. Those who follow God and walk in His path will be loved by all people as well.
O:
1. The promise of God for David to be the king over Israel
2. He wanted to take over Saul's house v.6-7 but faced opposition from Iso B v.7 and thus he gave up the house of S v.8.
He had known all along what the promise of God was:
9 God will severely judge Abner if I do not do for David exactly what the LORD has promised him,
3. Mixed motive, when I disagreed with Y retreat. I didn't think the junior was not able to sit through a lesson and I didn't want to spend time and prepare a lesson for them.
When I was wrong and got discovered I would admit if they other party was also mad. It was because I was afraid of man. But if they other party was not mad, I may got upset. It was because I cannot accept myself to be fallible.
4. Joab used his power to force the king to follow him. He thirsted for justice, but done by his own hand. David was weaker than Joab and could not be able to kill him, but he trusted God to do the justice.
5. He killed Abner for revenage.
6. 31 David instructed Joab and all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes. Put on sackcloth. Lament before Abner!”
7. ?
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