(1) Civil war
David settled in Hebron (within the region of Judah) according to God's words and people there anointed him as their king v.1-4.
At the same time, Abner, the general in command of Saul, did not give up the throne to David and he established the son of Saul in Mahanaim v.8, which was on the east side of the Jordan river.
Then Abner (Saul's general) crossed over the River and came to Gibeon (in the region of Benjaminite), which was very close to Judah. At the end of the battle between Abner and Joab (David's servant), the Benjaminites protected Abner.
2:25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill.
Even though their conflict was put aside, and Abner went back to Mahanaim (east of the River) v.29, the war was prolonged.
Even though their conflict was put aside, and Abner went back to Mahanaim (east of the River) v.29, the war was prolonged.
3:1 However, the war was prolonged between the house of Saul and the house of David.
(2) How did the conflict begin?
2:14 Abner [the general of Saul] said to Joab, “Let the soldiers get up and fight before us.” Joab said, “So be it!”
(NET) [fight]=Heb “play.” What is in view here is a gladiatorial contest in which representative groups of soldiers engage in mortal combat before the watching armies.
(2) How did the conflict begin?
2:14 Abner [the general of Saul] said to Joab, “Let the soldiers get up and fight before us.” Joab said, “So be it!”
(NET) [fight]=Heb “play.” What is in view here is a gladiatorial contest in which representative groups of soldiers engage in mortal combat before the watching armies.
2:17 Now the battle was very severe that day; Abner and the men of Israel were overcome by David’s soldiers.
Abner, who first started the conflict, questioned why his opponents did not stop pursuing their brothers.
2:26 Then Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will turn bitter in the end? When will you tell the people to turn aside from pursuing their brothers?” 2:27 Joab replied, “As surely as God lives, if you had not said this, it would have been morning before the people would have abandoned pursuit of their brothers!”
On one hand, we see clearly what kind of person Abner was. On the other hand, they called each other "brothers," but they did not treat each other like brothers.
On one hand, we see clearly what kind of person Abner was. On the other hand, they called each other "brothers," but they did not treat each other like brothers.
Reflections: David did not push to become the king of the nation. He was patient and stayed in Judah. Are we patient like David? We see something should be good for the church but we did not push that to happen. Instead, we wait until we see everyone has the consensus for that to happen.
It was unfortunate that Abner started the conflict and later on the civil war, brothers killing brothers. For sure, this is not what God wants to see happening within His people. Abner might have wanted to show off his power when he initiated the gladiatorial contest. Whenever someone wants to show off their might that will be the beginning of conflicts. Please pray for our country in this difficult time. Or perhaps we have the power struggle also at home. May we give up on this showing off of power and stay away from the conflict.
Audrey
2024
v.1-7
1. David inquired the LORD and the LORD gave him very clear direction. Then David obeyed Him and he brought not only his family but all other men's families along to where God told him. That showed his confident in the LORD. Then the people there and together with all the people in the Judah region anointed David as their king to fulfill what the LORD had said.
2. On the other hand, David praise the people in JG v.4 for what they had done to Saul and blessed them in the LORD's name v.6. He even promised to reward them. Although they were the kinsmen of Saul and not easy to be persuaded to accept him, David had that confident v.7. Scriptures were silent about any reaction from them. Probably nothing was accomplished by D here.
7 Now be courageous and prove to be valiant warriors, for your lord Saul is dead. The people of Judah have anointed me as king over them.”
(EBC)With Saul dead and David anointed king over Judah, David invites the Jabeshites to enter into a mutual defense treaty with him. But there is more than one fly in the ointment, as the rest of the chapter clearly suggests.
R:
Inquire God always and follow through with what God moved me to do. Follow up with action. Last night we prayed for boldness of evangelism. Today, I need to follow up and set up time to those I would like to share the Gospel with.
v.8-32
B:
1. 2 leaderships were formed v.8-11. And these 2 groups met one day v.12-14. Abner was clearly the one who took the initiative to start the fighting x2.
14 Abner said to Joab, “Let the soldiers get up and fight before us.” Joab said, “So be it!”
28 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn and all the people stopped in their tracks. They stopped chasing Israel and ceased fighting.
It was a severe battle and the place is called the Field of Flints v.16-17.
The result was Abner/Saul's lost tremendously
v.30b Nineteen of David’s soldiers were missing, in addition to Asahel. 31 But David’s soldiers had slaughtered the Benjaminites and Abner’s men—in all, 360 men had died!
Abner's lost was probably due to over confident about himself.
v.8-9, all the Benjaminites back him up in battle
8 Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim. 9 He appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill.
2. Even though Abner was responsible and he lost at the end, but he was not the one to blame for Asahel's death.
Asahel chased a general who was powerful enough to set up Saul's son to be a king over all Israel in v.8-9, all the Benjaminites back him up in battle
8 Now Abner son of Ner, the general in command of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish bosheth and had brought him to Mahanaim. 9 He appointed him king over Gilead, the Geshurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and all Israel.
25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill.
Abner told him twice to leave, but he refused to give up his un parallel fight with Abner. v.21, 23.
v. 22b How then could I show my face in the presence of Joab your brother?” 23 But Asahel refused to turn aside
Asahel probably rely on his ability to run and was over confident about himself.
v.18b Now Asahel was as quick on his feet as one of the gazelles in the field
R:
2 overconfident men suffered 2 loss in battle. They both had some reasons to be proud and those are the reason why they loss.
Q:
1. Inquire the Lord in your decision and be specific
No, details or specific instructions are important in order not to waste energy and time.
2. He appreciated people's loyalty and bravery even they were from a different camp.
3. Both Abner and Joab was the general of their king. They both agreed to fight in this unnecessary war.
Abner: Since he was able to set up a king, he might be an able man. He might have wanted to show off his power when he initiated the gladiatorial contest, but he was not the one to blame for Asahel's death. He was back up by the Benjaminites
Joab: Chased Abner because Asahel was dead. He did not inquire the reason why his brother died. Asahel should take some responsibility for his own death. He was forced to return home when the Benjaminites showed up.
4. 25 The Benjaminites formed their ranks behind Abner and were like a single army, standing at the top of a certain hill. v.31b 360 men had died
He stop running and sue for peace because he found help.
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