What does the long war between Saul’s house and David’s house show about God’s plan?

The long war shows that even when God has chosen a king, his plan often unfolds slowly and through hard conflict. David had already been anointed, yet Saul’s son Ish-bosheth still ruled much of Israel, and both sides fought for a long time. During this struggle David’s house grew stronger while Saul’s house grew weaker. This points to how God’s promise stands firm, even when human opposition and delay make it seem uncertain. In the end, God brings David to the throne in his own time, not by David forcing it.

Why are David’s six sons in Hebron listed in this passage?

The list of David’s sons shows that while Saul’s house was fading, David’s house was growing. Each son strengthened David’s position and future line. At the same time, this list quietly warns us. These sons came from several wives, which went against God’s warning that kings should not multiply wives. Later, some of these very sons, like Amnon and Absalom, brought deep trouble and grief. So the list both marks God’s blessing of growth and hints at the pain that comes when a leader ignores God’s pattern for marriage.

Why did Abner turn against Ish-bosheth and join David?

Abner turned against Ish-bosheth after being accused over Saul’s concubine Rizpah. He felt deeply insulted, especially after showing loyalty to Saul’s family. In his anger he declared that he would help give the kingdom to David, just as the Lord had promised. So his move came from both personal offense and a growing recognition that God had sworn the kingdom to David. His motives were mixed, and he was still thinking about his own power, yet God used his change of sides to move Israel toward accepting David as king.

Why did David demand the return of Michal before making a league with Abner?

David asked for Michal back because she was his first wife, given to him for his victory over the Philistines. By having her returned, David was reclaiming a rightful marriage that linked him to Saul’s house. This strengthened his claim in the eyes of the people and showed that he wanted things set back in order. The scene is painful, since Michal’s current husband follows her weeping. It reminds us that political and personal choices can cause deep hurt, even when there is some measure of justice in restoring what was taken.

What was Abner doing when he spoke to the elders of Israel and Benjamin?

Abner was working to turn the people’s loyalty from Saul’s weak house to David. He reminded the elders that in the past they had wanted David as king and pointed them back to what the Lord had said about David saving Israel from the Philistines and all enemies. He also spoke directly to the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s own tribe, to win them over. Through these talks, Abner was trying to unite all Israel under David’s rule. God used even this former opponent to move the nation toward his chosen king.

Why did Joab kill Abner, and how did David respond?

Joab killed Abner to avenge the death of his brother Asahel, whom Abner had killed in battle. When Joab heard that David had sent Abner away in peace, he secretly called Abner back and stabbed him in the gate of Hebron. David was not involved and strongly denied any guilt. He declared his innocence before God, cursed Joab’s house, led public mourning for Abner, and refused to eat that day. The people saw that David did not approve of this revenge. This shows David’s desire for justice and his struggle with violent men who served under him.

What does David’s mourning over Abner teach about his character as king?

David’s mourning shows a tender and just heart. He tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth, walks behind Abner’s bier, weeps at the grave, and sings a lament, calling Abner a prince and a great man. He refuses to eat until evening, and all the people notice. Through this, David makes clear that Abner’s death was wrong and that he honors even a former enemy who had sought peace. It shows a king who does not delight in bloodshed, who feels his own weakness, and who leaves final judgment to the Lord.

What does this passage teach about revenge and leaving justice to God?

Joab’s act shows how personal revenge can twist justice. Instead of leaving Abner’s earlier killing of Asahel in the context of battle and seeking proper judgment, Joab lures Abner back and murders him in a place of safety. David refuses to share in that guilt and calls on the Lord to repay the evildoer according to his wickedness. The contrast teaches us that even when we have been deeply hurt, taking justice into our own hands in deceitful ways is wrong. God sees, and in the end he brings the right judgment.

How does this chapter show God working through flawed people to establish David’s kingdom?

Every main figure here is flawed. David has many wives, Abner changes sides after a personal insult, Ish-bosheth is weak, and Joab murders in revenge. Yet through this messy mix, God’s promise to give the kingdom to David moves forward. The house of David grows stronger, the house of Saul grows weaker, and even Abner’s late support helps unite Israel. This reminds us that God’s plans do not fail because of human sin. He is able to overrule ambition, fear, and anger to carry out what he has spoken, while still holding each person responsible.

2Sam.3.1

2 Samuel 3:1

KJV

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

The House of David Strengthened

1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.

2 ¶ And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

Abner Joins David

6 ¶ And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.

7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?

8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?

9 So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him;

10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba.

11 And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.

12 ¶ And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.

13 ¶ And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

14 And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

15 And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.

16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.

17 ¶ And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:

18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.

19 And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin.

20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

21 And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.

Joab Murders Abner

22 ¶ And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

23 When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.

24 Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone?

25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.

26 And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not.

27 And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

28 ¶ And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:

29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.

30 So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

David Mourns for Abner

31 ¶ And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.

32 And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.

36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.

37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner.

38 And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?

39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

Cross References

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