September 28, 2021
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Reading along with us in 2 Samuel? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Samuel 2 (NIV)
David Anointed King Over Judah
1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.
The Lord said, “Go up.”
David asked, “Where shall I go?”
“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. ..........Continue Reading
A lot going on here. Lots of different names different tribes and kings. Good idea to have just a dozen men fight instead of armies against each other. But that happens anyway. Abner warns asahel twice. But being young and immature, can get you killed.
2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel 2
David was part of the tribe of Judah and the division that will eventually come between the Northern and Southern parts of Israel had been fermenting before this and what plays out reveals it and will further reenforce it. David shows his humility and his faithfulness to God to ask what he should do. He is not going to press himself as leader nor is he going to avoid it either. But he desires the will of God. May we learn to hear that voice and follow it.
Abner is doing what Saul’s general would be expected to do, but he is not seeking nor hearing from God. He takes the next descendent of Saul and makes him king and rallies the areas of Israel more connected to Saul and rallies them. Now it is he who gathers the men of Israel for battle. He is either not aware or doesn’t care what Samuel had done to anoint David king. SO we do know how this is going to play out. And it is better for a few men to fight rather than a larger force, especially when the other side is family. But Abner must not have been satisfied with that result, so he presses the battle. As Abner’s forces suffer more loses, this younger Asahel probably thinks this is a chance to make a name for himself…being part of a military family. So he is younger and faster, but not as skilled as a warrior. Abner realizes this and is merciful to try to get him to stop his pursuit. But when Asahel doesn’t, Abner has to take care of business.
But it takes them far too long to realize, why should we as fellow descendants of Abraham be fighting? Maybe Abner brings this up when he realizes he has lost. He is a general after all. So then Joab shows himself merciful to call off his attack. But this back and forth will continue until David is established as king over all of Israel…
2 Samuel 2
A lot of things happening here but it seems David is seeking God for His direction but not everyone is on the same page with David being king. Sad that Abner couldn’t be satisfied with the results of 12 men fighting and so many more needed to die as he continued his mislead campaign for Saul’s son. When we don’t focus on God’s plan it leads to fighting and destruction as Abner sees here.
2 Samuel 2
I was wondering how does David hear from God? Is it the Angel of the Lord speaking to him in real life, is it the Spirit inside his mind speaking? I know in some scriptures the priests would use the urim and thummim (not sure how that is spelled) to cast lots to make decisions, like they did to allot the land in Joshua.